Toni Atkins

If you are feeling overwhelmed or maybe experiencing times of confusion, difficulty and / or distress in your life, I aim to offer a compassionate listening space. In order to help you with emotional, cognitive, behavioural and relationship issues, I offer a nonjudgmental and confidential space.

The therapeutic sessions can provide a professional environment in which a trusting relationship can be built, that can be easier than talking to, or worrying about burdening, friends or family.

Forming the therapeutic relationship enables the opportunity to share your life story and experiences, so we can explore your thoughts and feelings; it can be a relief just to talk and can in itself be surprisingly enlightening.

Together we can develop a greater awareness and understanding of problem areas and delve into the unconscious to look at underlying origins / causes. This can be a challenging process, sometimes like peeling the layers of an onion, each layer offering different perspectives, offering options to feel more in control and then to facilitate growth and choices for change. It is important to realise this is a personal process that can be long or short, but you will be the centre of the sessions. 

I am a fully qualified counsellor with 20 years experience, which has included providing both short and long-term therapy to children, adolescents, adults, families and in group settings.

I have worked in several NHS settings; including IAPT, Adult community mental health teams and children & adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) and currently in a local general hospital’s psychological therapies service. Within these I have supervised other therapists and additionally have been part of the teaching team for student counsellors.

These roles have necessitated me working in different environments, with people from all walks of life, and equipped me with flexibility around various therapeutic approaches and skills. I can provide sessions by telephone, video and face to face.

It is important that you feel that I am the right person for you, I am happy to offer an initial free 15 minute telephone conversation for us to discuss your hopes and expectations from counselling. Please call, text or email me and we can arrange how I can help you moving forward.