Nykola Jane Garrigan

I am available weekdays, evenings and Saturday and Sunday mornings. 

Welcome to my counselling profile! I am Nykola and I am passionate about counselling and how it can help you to heal and make meaningful changes in your everyday life and relationships. I know seeking counselling can be daunting, but by reading my profile you have already taken the first step towards creating change.

Is anxiety affecting your ability to live your life fully? I can help you to understand how your body and mind is reacting to external stresses. This awareness, and some practical strategies, can help you to develop self-compassion and a sense of empowerment to live a more enriching life.

Are you struggling to adapt to life after a bereavement? I specialise in supporting adults and young people who are grieving. I understand that the experience of grief can create feelings that are confusing, and perhaps a feeling of isolation and disconnection. I can help you to adapt to life after a profound loss in a way that respects your personal feelings and circumstances.

I believe you are the expert of your life; you will be in the driving seat and I will be alongside you as your co-pilot. Together we will navigate and explore any issues that you would like to work through at a safe and comfortable pace. This journey will reflect your needs and unique personality, and when you feel ready, I can support you to challenge and overcome any obstacles in your path; such as limiting beliefs, fears and even unexplored dreams and ambitions.

I am a dedicated professional, and I am also a human being who has experienced life’s unexpected twists and turns. The focus will be on you and your journey,but I will also bring wisdom gained from my own life experience, curiosity about you and a willingness to learn how to support you into the room, and when appropriate, a sense of humour.  

How could we work together?

- I will give you a calm and comfortable space to be seen and heard so you can focus on the parts of your life and relationships that matter to you.

- I can offer Breathwork and EFT Tapping to help release stress and trauma held in the body.

- I invite you to explore the use of creative tools, such as art work, cards, sand trays, nesting dolls, dreams, and imagery, if appropriate.

- I help you understand your physical, mental and emotional reactions by offering and co-creating practical strategies helping you to make meaningful changes.

- I adhere to the BACP ethical framework; confidentiality is my priority, ensuring the trust and privacy for my clients.

- I offer face to face, online, email and telephone counselling. 

Counselling Training, Qualifications & Experience:

• CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling 2023

• Level 5 Certificate in Working Therapeutically with Children and Young People in Schools. September 2024

• Place2Be Training: Working with Creativity in Counselling; Art therapy, Sand-tray, Cards and Metaphors 2022

• Bereavement Training: City of East London Bereavement Service 2023

• Foundation Certificate in Bereavement Counselling - Dr John Wilson 2024

• Online and Telephone Counselling 2024

• CPCAB Level 2 Breathwork Coaching Training 2023

• Level 2 Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT/Tapping) 2021

• Neurodiversity: the therapeutic encounter; BACP Conference (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy). 2024

• Trauma and Disassociation in Children & Young People: BACP Conference (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy). 2023

• Extensive training in Trauma & Anxiety; Complex PTSD training; attachment, self-injury, sexual abuse, writing for therapy, use of cards & animal figures in therapy. 2021 -2024

Initial Consultation Session:

If you feel ready to begin your counselling journey, please contact me and I will schedule a free consultation for a duration of twenty minutes. I will conduct an initial assessment, and this will give us an opportunity to see if we are a good fit, and for you to decide if you would like to continue with me as your therapist.  

First Session: 

In our first session I will talk you through my contract, which you will have received by email before the session. I will briefly introduce myself and how we may work together, this will help you to have a clear understanding of what you can expect from me as your counsellor.

I always aim to create a safe and relaxed space where you will feel comfortable to be open and honest, this will help to build the foundation for a good therapeutic relationship. 

Our work Together: 

- As an integrative person-centred therapist, I offer empathy and genuineness helping us to build the foundation for a good therapeutic relationship.

- I adapt my therapeutic approach based on your individual needs and create an inclusive environment free of judgement where you will feel truly heard, accepted, and understood.