Nykola Jane Garrigan

Available:

• Weekdays after school
• Saturday am/pm
• Sunday am

If you require an urgent appointment, please do get in touch as I may have midweek day time slots. 

As a parent or carer, have you found yourself in a situation where you are struggling to support your child or adolescent and now feel you would benefit from seeking additional help in an empathic, non-judgmental environment?

Welcome to my counselling profile. I am Nykola, an integrative therapist with a person-centred approach at the heart of my practice. With 19 years of experience working with young people in educational settings and two academic years as a school counsellor with Place2Be, I have developed a deep understanding of the unique emotional challenges children and adolescents face. My person-centred approach allows me to tailor counselling to meet each young person’s individual needs, ensuring they feel seen, heard, and supported.

I embrace young people from all walks of life, regardless of age, race, religion, disability, sexual identity, or sexual orientation.

I work with clients of all ages, with a particular focus on children and adolescents. My extensive experience includes supporting those with special needs and neurodivergence, such as ASD, ADHD, as well as Dyslexia. I am experienced in helping individuals navigate trauma, anxiety, self-harm, bereavement, risk of grooming, and sudden life changes.

I am passionate about helping young people build self-awareness and develop lifelong tools and strategies to navigate challenges, empowering them to live a life free from the hold of fear and anxiety. My goal is to support them in fostering self-belief and enhancing their self-esteem

I am empathetic, a good listener, and authentically myself, creating a space where your child or adolescent can feel welcomed, build a genuine relationship, and develop the tools they need to manage life's difficulties.

My practice is informed by current neuroscience research and innovative trauma informed and trauma responsive practices. In addition to private practice, I work with children and young people in school settings, promoting emotional resilience and well-being.

For your child/adolescent I will offer:

- a calm, comfortable, inclusive space that will suit their individual needs as a neurodivergent or neurotypical young person.

- the opportunity to choose to explore creative techniques to release stress and trauma held in the body: breathwork, EFT Tapping, movement and sound therapy.

- play therapy and a creative approach; such as art work, mask making, cards, sand trays, nesting dolls, jewellery making, dreams, and metaphor – if appropriate.

- the ability to understand their physical, mental and emotional reactions through Psychoeducation – helping to create self-awareness and life long positive changes.

- a space to process difficult emotions in a safe and confidential space upholding the BACP ethical framework.

- face to face, online and telephone counselling. 

I will offer your child/adolescent the opportunity to:

- co-create an agreement about how we will work together.

- choose to explore this agreement creatively or through talking.

- the opportunity to feel empowered from the first session, by having their voice heard in a way that is comfortable to them.

For parents/carers:

- a free 15-minute consultation to discuss how we can move forward to support your child as early intervention is crucial.

- In the first session, I will include aspects of the contract that will have been sent to you by email before the first session including confidentiality and safeguarding.

- I will briefly introduce myself and how we may work together.

- I will offer a clear understanding of what your child/adolescent can expect from me as their counsellor and how I will support them and you as their parent or carer. 

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.