Heather Cowie

Availability Tuesdays face-to-face in Plymouth or online Wednesdays and Fridays.

Looking for change but not sure how? Whether you feel anxious, overwhelmed, stressed, angry, alone, low, numb, or confused about what is happening to you, you don't have to face it on your own. We can work together to help you:

• understand better what is happening to you.

• gain self-confidence and feel more relaxed.
• find calm and space in the face of stress.
  
• break out of negative relationship patterns.
  
• quieten inner critics and love yourself.
  
• heal from traumatic past experiences.
• live alongside your grief.
• change negative behaviour patterns.

Working within the NHS at local GP surgeries, with a young person's charity, and private practice, I have counselled a wide range of adults and young people on a variety of issues.

Before training as a counsellor, I worked in a variety of business roles including Marketing and Publishing, and then almost 15 years as a secondary school teacher of French. This has given me a vast experience of developing relationships with people from all walks of life and helping support them to find their own solutions.

I'm friendly, positive and easy to talk to. I will listen to try to understand you, not change you. I am LGBTQ+ and gender diversity affirming. I have family experience of Autism and understand the additional challenges that being neurodivergent can bring.

I think counselling is like a clearing in the forest. We may get to a point in our lives when we are lost in the dense forest. Our thoughts and emotions feel like they are closing in on us and we can’t see a way through. Counselling offers that clearing in the forest. An opportunity for calm, where we can rest, start to think clearly and separate ourselves from what is going on around us. When we have that space, new thoughts and ideas can come in and we are able to see how we really want to live our lives. We can discover our authentic selves.

I work in a friendly and positive way. My approach is to treat you as an individual human being with your own unique story. I believe that we are unique but also the same, in that as humans, we all suffer. The antidote to suffering is compassion. So, being heard, understood and offered kindness in times of suffering can make an incredible difference. This includes helping you develop your own self compassion.

We might use a variety of counselling approaches to work together on identifying common patterns, beliefs, behaviours, thoughts and feelings that might be holding you back. But at the heart of all this, I believe that you are the expert on you. I will encourage you to find your glimmers and sparkles that will lead to your own solutions. 

Whatever your problems we can work it out together, so don't struggle alone anymore. You have taken an important step by seeking counselling; message me now to answer any questions or worries you have, no matter how small, and to arrange a free intro conversation or first session.

I offer a FREE initial 15 minute intro conversation if you wish. It's a chance for you to outline the issues you'd like to work with, get a sense of how I work and see if you feel comfortable with me. Alternatively you can book in a full session and get started!

Sessions generally take place weekly for 50 minutes.

The first session will be an opportunity for us to get to know each other, find out more about what you are bringing, how counselling might help and plan a way forward. We can discuss how you feel about setting goals and how you might like to work.

The number of sessions you need will depend on you and what you are bringing, but I would advise that 6-12 sessions would be a minimum for short term work. You can book for an initial block of 6 sessions for example, and then we can check in and review how things are going.

Some ONLINE morning, afternoon and evening sessions available. 

Create a clearing in the dense forest of your life". When life gets too much, counselling can help you see things more clearly and restore balance. My main role is to listen. To offer a calm space to share what is troubling you, and to empower you to find your way forward. You can bring anything to me, no matter how big or small.

I work a lot helping people:

- find calm in the face of anxiety and stress.

- gain self-confidence and feel more relaxed.

- break out of negative relationship patterns.

- heal from traumatic experiences or relationships.

Working within the NHS at local GP surgeries, with a young person's charity, and private practice, I have counselled a wide range of adults and young people on a variety of issues.

Before training as a counsellor, I worked in a variety of business roles including Marketing and Publishing, and then almost 15 years as a secondary school teacher of French. This has given me a vast experience of developing relationships with people from all walks of life and helping support them to find their own solutions.

I'm friendly, positive and easy to talk to. I will listen to try to understand you, not change you. I am LGBTQ+ and gender diversity affirming. I have family experience of Autism and understand the additional challenges that neurodivergence can bring.

In my spare time, having moved away from London into the Devon countryside, I enjoy running and walking with my dog on the beach or the Moors. I also love to binge watch a foreign language crime drama if I get the chance!

Email or text me to discuss your needs and my availability.

I think counselling is like a clearing in the forest. We may get to a point in our lives when we are lost in the dense forest. Our thoughts and emotions feel like they are closing in on us and we can’t see a way through. Counselling offers that clearing in the forest. An opportunity for calm, where we can rest, start to think clearly and separate ourselves from what is going on around us. When we have that space, new thoughts and ideas can come in and we are able to see how we really want to live our lives. We can discover our authentic selves.

I work in a friendly and positive way. My approach is to treat you as an individual human being with your own story. I believe that we are unique but also the same, in that as humans, we all suffer. The antidote to suffering is compassion. So, being heard, understood and offered kindness in times of suffering can make an incredible difference. This includes helping you develop your own self compassion.

We might use a variety of counselling approaches to work together on identifying common patterns, beliefs, behaviours, thoughts and feelings that might be holding you back. But at the heart of all this, I believe that you are the expert on you. I will encourage you to find your glimmers and sparkles that will lead to your own solutions. 

I offer a FREE initial 15 minute intro conversation if you wish. It's a chance for you to outline the issues you'd like to work with, get a sense of how I work and see if you feel comfortable with me. Alternatively you can book in a full session and get started!

Sessions generally take place weekly online for 50 minutes. 

The first session will be an opportunity for us to get to know each other, find out more about what you are bringing , how counselling might help and plan a way forward. We can discuss how you feel about setting goals and how you might like to work.

The number of sessions you need will depend on you and what you are bringing, but I would advise that you are able to book in for at least 8-10 sessions as a minimum initially. We can then check in and review how things are going. 

ONLINE morning, afternoon and evening sessions currently available.

"Create a clearing in the dense forest of your life". When life gets too much, counselling can help you see things more clearly and restore balance. My main role is to listen. To offer a calm space to share what is troubling you, and to empower you to find your way forward. You can bring anything to me, no matter how shameful or painful. 

I work a lot helping people:

- find calm in the face of anxiety and stress.

- gain self-confidence and feel more relaxed.

- break out of negative relationship patterns.

- heal from traumatic experiences or relationships.

Working within the NHS at local GP surgeries, with a young person's charity, and private practice, I have counselled a wide range of adults and young people on a variety of issues.

Before training as a counsellor I have worked for almost 15 years as a secondary school teacher. This has given me a vast experience of developing relationships with people from all walks of life and helping support them to find their own solutions.

I'm friendly, positive and easy to talk to. I will listen to try to understand you, not change you.

In my spare time, I enjoy running, reading and walking my dog on the beach or the Moors. I also love to binge watch a foreign language crime drama if I get the chance.

Email or text me to discuss your needs and my availability.

My approach

I think counselling is like a clearing in the forest. We may get to a point in our lives when we are lost in the dense forest. Our thoughts and emotions feel like they are closing in on us and we can’t see a way through. Counselling offers that clearing in the forest. An opportunity for calm, where we can rest, start to think clearly and separate ourselves from what is going on around us. When we have that space, new thoughts and ideas can come in and we are able to see how we really want to live our lives. We can discover our authentic selves.

I work in a friendly and positive way. My approach is to treat you as an individual human being with your own unique story. I believe that we are unique but also the same, in that as humans, we all suffer. The antidote to suffering is compassion. So, being heard, understood and offered kindness in times of suffering can make an incredible difference. This includes helping you develop your own self compassion. 

We might use a variety of counselling approaches to work together on identifying common patterns, beliefs, behaviours, thoughts and feelings that might be holding you back. But at the heart of all this, I believe that you are the expert on you. I will encourage you to find your glimmers and sparkles that will lead to your own solutions. 

I offer a FREE initial 15 minute intro conversation. It's a chance for you to outline the issues you'd like to work with, get a sense of how I work and see if you feel comfortable with me.

Sessions generally take place weekly online for 50 minutes. 

The first session will be an opportunity for us to get to know each other, find out more about what you are bringing to counselling, how counselling might help and plan a way forward.

The number of sessions will depend on you and what you are bringing, but I would advise that you are able to commit to at least 8-10 sessions as a minimum in order to see change. We will check in at regular intervals as we go along and we can set goals and review if you find this helpful.

I work online only Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Working online from the comfort of your own home. Are you looking for change but need support? Whether you feel overwhelmed, angry, alone, numb, anxious or confused about what is happening to you, we can work together to help you to:

- understand better what is happening to you.

- find calm and space in the face of stress.

- gain self-confidence and feel more relaxed.

- heal from traumatic past experiences.

- live alongside your grief.

- change negative behaviour patterns, such as addictions.

- quieten inner critics and love yourself.

- break out of negative relationship patterns.

Working within the NHS at local GP surgeries, with a young person's charity, Young Devon, and private practice, I have counselled a wide range of adults and young people on a variety of issues, such as; anxiety, depression, anger, relationship issues, trauma, adverse childhood experiences, PTSD, self esteem, OCD and bereavement.

Am I the right counsellor for you?

It’s important for you to find a person that you feel comfortable and safe with. This will be different for everyone.

My various life experiences have taught me that everyone suffers and that everyone’s suffering is different but equally valid. We can often amplify our pain by blaming ourselves. We say I “shouldn’t” be feeling like that or I “should” be able to get over it. But we are all human. We all suffer. And the antidote to suffering is compassion. So, I believe that being heard, understood and offered kindness can make an incredible difference. Especially if we are finding it hard to give ourselves that compassion.

I hope to be a calm, caring and courageous person; someone who is not afraid to witness your pain and sit in it with you, whilst carrying hope for brighter days. I will listen to try to understand your world. I will help you gently explore your feelings and beliefs and go deeper into what might be at the root of your distress. I will encourage you to find your glimmers and sparkles that will lead to your own solutions.

As an integrative counsellor, I take into account you as an individual and your circumstances, and blend elements of different approaches to help you explore your problems. Modalities I use may include: Person-centred, Gestalt, Internal Family Systems, Transactional Analysis, Narrative Therapy, Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and CBT.

At its core, my philosophy is that all people are good and capable of self realisation. This focuses on you rather than me being the expert on yourself. I will help you find your own solutions – whether that’s making effective changes in your life or finding ways of coping with your problems. I will support you by giving you the time and space you need whilst providing a safe, confidential and non-judgemental environment. As the client you have control over what you bring to therapy and how you wish to work.

I offer a FREE initial 15 minute intro conversation for us to find out more about each other.

Sessions generally take place weekly for 50 minutes, online.

The first session will be an opportunity for us to get to know each other, find out more about what you are bringing to counselling, how counselling might help and to check we are a good fit.

The number of sessions will depend on you and what you are bringing, but I would suggest that 6-10 sessions is a usual number of sessions for short term work. We will check in at regular intervals as we go along and we can set goals and review if you find this helpful.

ONLINE only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Working online from the comfort of your own home. Are you looking for change but need some support? Whether you feel overwhelmed, angry, alone, numb, anxious or confused about what is happening to you, we can work together to help you to:

- understand better what is happening to you.

- find calm and space in the face of stress.

- gain self-confidence and feel more relaxed.

- heal from traumatic past experiences.

- live alongside your grief.

- change negative behaviour patterns, such as addictions.

- quieten inner critics and love yourself.

- break out of negative relationship patterns.

Working within the NHS at local GP surgeries, with a young person's charity, Young Devon, and private practice, I have counselled a wide range of adults and young people on a variety of issues, such as; anxiety, depression, anger, relationship issues, trauma, adverse childhood experiences, PTSD, self esteem, OCD and bereavement.

Am I the right counsellor for you?

It’s important for you to find a person that you feel comfortable and safe with. This will be different for everyone.

My various life experiences have taught me that everyone suffers and that everyone’s suffering is different but equally valid. We can often amplify our pain by blaming ourselves. We say I “shouldn’t” be feeling like that or I “should” be able to get over it. But we are all human. We all suffer. And the antidote to suffering is compassion. So, I believe that being heard, understood and offered kindness can make an incredible difference. Especially if we are finding it hard to give ourselves that compassion.

I hope to be a calm, caring and courageous person; someone who is not afraid to witness your pain and sit in it with you, whilst carrying hope for brighter days. I will listen to try to understand your world. I will help you gently explore your feelings and beliefs and go deeper into what might be at the root of your distress. I will encourage you to find your glimmers and sparkles that will lead to your own solutions.

My philosophy

At its core, my philosophy is that all people are good and capable of self realisation. This focuses on you rather than me being the expert on yourself. I will help you find your own solutions – whether that’s making effective changes in your life or finding ways of coping with your problems. I will support you by giving you the time and space you need whilst providing a safe, confidential and non-judgemental environment. As the client you have control over what you bring to therapy and how you wish to work.

I offer a FREE initial 15 minute intro conversation. It's a chance for you to outline the issues you'd like to work with, get a sense of how I work and see if you feel comfortable with me.

Sessions generally take place weekly online for 50 minutes.

The number of sessions will depend on you and what you are bringing, but I would advise that you are able to commit to at least 6-10 sessions as a minimum in order to see change. We will check in at regular intervals as we go along and we can set goals and review if you find this helpful.

Face to face in Tavistock and Plymouth. Online throughout the UK. 

Availability Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Looking for change but not sure how? Whether you feel overwhelmed, angry, alone, numb, anxious or confused about what is happening to you, you don't need to face it on your own anymore. We can work together to help you to:

• understand better what is happening to you.
• find calm and space in the face of stress.
• gain self-confidence and feel more relaxed.
• heal from traumatic past experiences.
• live alongside your grief.
• change negative behaviour patterns, such as addictions.
• quieten inner critics and love yourself.
• break out of negative relationship patterns.

Who am I?

I hope to be a calm, caring and courageous person; someone who is not afraid to witness your pain and sit with you in it, whilst carrying hope for brighter days. I will listen to try to understand your world. I will help you gently explore your feelings and beliefs and go deeper into what might be at the root of your distress. I will encourage you to find your glimmers and sparkles that will lead to your own solutions.

Working within the NHS, a young person’s charity and in private practice, I have counselled a variety of issues but in particular I have helped people with anxiety, self esteem, bereavement, adverse childhood experiences and young people. 

As well as a trained counsellor, I am also a trained teacher, with around 15 years experience supporting young people in secondary schools.

How I work

We all have our own unique problems, contexts and vulnerabilities and as an integrative counsellor, I can use a variety of methods to suit your individual needs, such as person centred, cognitive behavioural therapy, internal family systems and transactional analysis. 

But you will always be in control in our time together. I might have the skills in counselling but you are the expert on you.

If that sounds like it could be a good fit for you, then do please get in touch, by email, phone or text - whatever works for you.

Once you contact me, I will get back to you to within 24 hours. We can then book in your first full session, or if you prefer, I offer a free 15 minute phone/online introductory call so you can decide if I'm the right counsellor for you.

Sessions generally take place weekly for 50 minutes. Our first sessions are about listening to you, to get to know you and the issues that you are bringing. We can then work together to find a way forward. 

The number of sessions will depend on you, but 8-10 sessions would be a usual period of time for short term work. We review how many sessions you require on a regular basis.