Anja Townsley

I am available for new clients.

I offer open, non-judgemental and professional support and a flexible approach which provides the right conditions for you to resolve problem issues. 

We all have something to work on, to understand better or change. This could be a specific problem like a relationship, identity crisis, a work related issue, an illness, bereavement or a specific fear. Or it could be a more general feeling of unease, anxiety, depression, meaninglessness, emptiness or discontent. Through my experience as a client and as a therapist I have come to believe that these crises also provide an opportunity to grow and develop. Understanding our position in the world, our pain and our wounds as well as our goals and ambitions often helps to develop strong self-esteem and the ability to heal ourselves. 

Traumatic experiences, especially during childhood, often leave us with a sense of not being safe in the world. Normal responses to an abnormal situation can include sleeplessness, feeling overwhelmed, anxious or on edge, intrusive memories and flash backs, guilt, shame and anger. These can impact relationships and lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms. Counselling offers the support and help necessary to rebuild our life.  

I am a member of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD) and the European Society for Trauma and Dissociation (ESTD) and have completed further trauma training.  

Some clients want to focus on a single issue. This might be around making a choice or making personal sense of something, often in the here and now. In these situations short-term work of between 4-6 sessions might be sufficient. Other clients might want to look at recurring patterns of behaviour and relating which often have their roots in relationships in our family of origin. This work can be time-limited or long-term and is regularly reviewed. The choice to continue, pause or end safely always lies with you, the client. 

Sometimes, what brings a client to therapy is just a sense of something unsettling or an existential problem. Taking a person-centred approach gives you control over the areas of your life we work through together, and enables you to pace the sessions in a way that feels right for you. 

Click on the 'email me' link to make first contact. Provide a brief outline of your counselling needs, a sentence or two whether you prefer to work face to face, on-line or by phone and I will contact you to arrange a 15-minute phone call to answer any questions you may have. From here you may decide to book a no obligation initial assessment session. This and all future appointments currently cost £60 per 50-minute session. Please check your junk mail for replies to your enquiry. 

The therapeutic profession offers many styles of counselling and individual personalities. It is important to find the right counsellor to suit your personal needs. If that might be me, I look forward to hearing from you.