Charlotte Houghton

I offer counselling on Mondays and Thursdays between 10am and 2pm and evening sessions starting at 8pm on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays. Just so you know, I also work part-time as a suicide bereavement support worker which is why my availability for counselling sessions is limited.

I am aware that if you have an illness like MS you may not know until the day that you are too fatigued to attend the session and because I ask for payment in advance, you may feel that you can't commit so please be reassured that I am quite flexible in these situations, if you have paid and are unable to attend, you only have to send me an email and we will reschedule for another day and you will not have to pay again.

I understand that sometimes our life gets in the way, things happen that are beyond our control and we 'don't have time for counselling', so think of a session as taking 50 minutes for you, get comfy, grab a brew and let it out.

I am genuine, warm and offer empathic understanding and like to work collaboratively with you to unpick the issues that are troubling you. I am a person centred counsellor and feel that this approach fits with my way of being, the Person Centred Approach is a talking therapy that does not assign homework and has as its core values that a therapist should be empathic, non-judgemental and genuine whilst being fully present and actively listening as well as recognising that the client is an expert on themselves. I aim to bring all of these aspects to our sessions.

I offer you the space and confidentiality (with some limitations) to talk freely and without judgements and I am not uncomfortable if you cry or need a few minutes to collect your thoughts before continuing.

I enjoy linking adult behaviours or feelings to childhood experiences, whether they are negative or positive, as once we have the awareness of why we react a certain way, we can work on it.

I work with clients who have been bereaved by suicide and sudden death and worked with them to accept the changes that follow including loss of identity and security. I also have 8 months experience counselling people that live with MS (Multiple Sclerosis) and understand the anxiety and worries a long-term medical diagnosis can bring.

I am not neurodiverse but I do have a family member who is and understand how that can impact all aspects of family life both positively and negatively.

I enjoy working with a variety of people of all ages, nationalities, genders and LGBTQ+ and feel that the unconditional positive regard offered as part of the person centred approach really adds to the therapeutic relationship.

In sessions, I will accept and value you as the expert on you, I feel that the counselling relationship makes all the difference to the outcome of the therapy so will take time to get to know you, and if something has happened between sessions that needs more immediate focus, we can explore that too. I will be with you on your journey, helping to connect previous experiences especially those of childhood whether positive or negative to the issues arising in adulthood.

Sessions are 50 minutes in length and cost £35, Concessions are £25. All sessions are delivered remotely by phone or Microsoft Teams (no download is necessary), I ask for payment the day before the session at the latest. although clients are welcome to pay a week in advance or for a maximum of 4 sessions at a time by bank transfer or Paypal if they wish.

We have a review every 4-6 weeks to see how the therapy is progressing and review your goals/aims.

I also offer clients the opportunity after the initial work has been completed to switch to sessions every 2 weeks. If we have been working together for a long time then reducing the frequency of sessions helps a client to feel supported until they are ready to end the sessions. 

Before our first session I will email over a copy of the Contract for you to read, it also has my bank details on so you can make payment, and I will let you know when payment has been received.

If you would like to arrange a free 15 minute phone call to get to know me and ask any questions, please let me know.

I like to have a full hour for the first session, at no extra charge. During this time we will have a chat about what brings you to therapy and what you would like to work on, we will complete the registration form and discuss the contract, as well as fill in the client registration form,

If you feel that we could work together, you will be asked to sign and return the contract.