Zoe Bartlett

I know that seeking counselling can feel daunting, but I’d like to walk alongside you and offer you an empathic, non-judgmental and safe space to explore what is going on for you and where understanding and change can take place. My focus is on empowering and enabling you to see that you have the knowledge and potential within you for change, my role is to help you recognise and implement this in your life.

When we experience life difficulties and challenges such as relationship problems, addiction, stress, depression and anxiety, or trauma we can sometimes lose our connection to ourselves and those around us, impacting our relationships and often function in survival mode getting stuck in fight, flight and freeze responses.

Working together I will encourage you to explore your thoughts, feelings, behaviours and sensations. I will closely listen, respond and sometimes gently challenge you, with compassion and focus, with the aim of building a supportive and trusting relationship where you feel safe to explore and make change.

I have extensive experience of working with clients in active addiction, early recovery, recovery maintenance and those questioning or concerned about their substance use.

Problematic substance use or addiction is often a coping strategy developed when life experience and trauma is unbearable or unmanageable. I work in a trauma-informed way, to gently explore and understand what has led a client to substance use or repeated addictive behaviours such as gambling or gaming. I do this with the aim of developing awareness and self-compassion for change.

​I can also offer support in developing new strategies and ways of coping alongside the deeper work of looking at the roots (the feelings, emotions and experiences) of the addictive behaviour with a view discovering and accepting an authentic way of being and relating to the world around them. Together we can explore the impact of substance use on your life and the lives of those around you.

I am an Integrative Counsellor which means that I combine different therapeutic techniques with a belief that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to counselling. There is not one answer or one way that works for everyone, but counselling should be an exploration of ideas and an ongoing conversation between us.

In our work together, I will bring empathy and compassion with focus on our connection, allowing you to experience a safe, secure, holding relationship where you are able to explore your feelings and experiences without fear of judgement. I work in a relational, attachment informed way, incorporating humanistic ideas and existentialism in my counselling philosophy.

Alongside exploring thoughts and feelings, I pay close attention to what could be happening on a non-verbal level- through physical sensations, body language, tone and facial expression and seek to support your understanding of your mind and body connection. I will draw on Polyvagal theory and a trauma informed approach in our work.

I offer short or longer term work dependent on your requirements. We will regularly review our work together to ensure your therapeutic goals and expectations are being met. I offer face to face appointments at Vessel Spaces in Old Market (BS2) and The Healing Rooms on Gloucester Road (BS7). 

Please get in touch if you would like an initial, free, no obligation, 15 minute Zoom or phone call so that you can ask any questions you may have, and to get an understanding of how we might work together.

I offer some concessionary slots so please do get in touch to find out more.

I currently have limited availability on Mondays and Tuesdays at Vessel Spaces (BS2). 

I know that seeking counselling can feel daunting, but I’d like to walk alongside you and offer you an empathic, non-judgmental and safe space to explore what is going on for you and where understanding and change can take place. My focus is on empowering and enabling you to see that you have the knowledge and potential within you for change, my role is to help you recognise and implement this in your life.

When we experience life difficulties and challenges such as relationship problems, addiction, stress, depression and anxiety, or trauma we can sometimes lose our connection to ourselves and those around us, impacting our relationships and often function in survival mode getting stuck in fight, flight and freeze responses.

Working together I will encourage you to explore your thoughts, feelings, behaviours and sensations. I will closely listen, respond and sometimes gently challenge you, with compassion and focus, with the aim of building a supportive and trusting relationship where you feel safe to explore and make change.

I have extensive experience of working with clients in active addiction, early recovery, recovery maintenance and those questioning or concerned about their substance use.

Problematic substance use or addiction is often a coping strategy developed when life experience and trauma is unbearable or unmanageable. I work in a trauma-informed way, to gently explore and understand what has led a client to substance use or repeated addictive behaviours such as gambling or gaming. I do this with the aim of developing awareness and self-compassion for change.

​I can also offer support in developing new strategies and ways of coping alongside the deeper work of looking at the roots (the feelings, emotions and experiences) of the addictive behaviour with a view discovering and accepting an authentic way of being and relating to the world around them. Together we can explore the impact of substance use on your life and the lives of those around you.

I am an Integrative Counsellor which means that I combine different therapeutic techniques with a belief that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to counselling. There is not one answer or one way that works for everyone, but counselling should be an exploration of ideas and an ongoing conversation between us.

In our work together, I will bring empathy and compassion with focus on our connection, allowing you to experience a safe, secure, holding relationship where you are able to explore your feelings and experiences without fear of judgement. I work in a relational, attachment informed way, incorporating humanistic ideas and existentialism in my counselling philosophy.

Alongside exploring thoughts and feelings, I pay close attention to what could be happening on a non-verbal level- through physical sensations, body language, tone and facial expression and seek to support your understanding of your mind and body connection. I will draw on Polyvagal theory and a trauma informed approach in our work.

I offer short or longer term work dependent on your requirements. We will regularly review our work together to ensure your therapeutic goals and expectations are being met. I offer face to face appointments at Vessel Spaces in Old Market (BS2). 

Please get in touch if you would like an initial, free, no obligation, 15 minute Zoom or phone call so that you can ask any questions you may have, and to get an understanding of how we might work together.

I offer some concessionary slots so please do get in touch to find out more.