Anne Darwent

Trying to find help can be a daunting process, especially when you are already feeling low and confused. By exploring this site, you have taken the crucial first step. Counselling can really make a difference when things get tough – feeling heard, understood and genuinely accepted helps.

Even if you have supportive family and friends around you, it may be easier to talk about personal, family or relationship issues with an independent and professional therapist. I offer a safe, warm, non-judgmental and confidential space where you can explore your feelings and thoughts.

I will walk alongside you, helping you identify, understand and address your difficulties. You may already know 'what's the matter', or you may just sense something's not right in your life. You may feel desperate, or you may simply want to explore who you are and who you aspire to be.

Whatever it is, we can find ways to actively work together, easing your distress and healing what hurts. We can figure out what suits you best in terms of time and commitment.

The counselling I offer is based on the person centred approach, which means that it is based on the belief that within each of us is a part which “knows” who we are and what we need. Given the right environment, this part of us develops and guides us. Sometimes we lose touch with this inner sense of self, perhaps because we didn’t have the right environment in the first place, or because things have happened in our lives and we have lost our way. In counselling, we can work together to create the right environment to support you in tuning into the part of you that knows who you are and what is best for you.

You can decide how long you want to attend, how deep you want to dig, and with regular reviews we can make sure you are getting what you need from our work together.

I will do my best to be honest and genuine, and to empathise with you.

Availability and length of sessions

After an initial session, during which we can discuss your individual needs and goals, I can offer short term work of 6-8 weeks together, and longer 'open ended' counselling (with a commitment to regular reviews). Sessions last for 50 minutes and are usually weekly, but you can choose to come weekly, fortnightly or monthly if you prefer.

Location and transport

I offer sessions via phone and video, as well as in person sessions in my dedicated practice room in Woodhatch, Reigate. There is free on street parking available. Regular buses from Redhill and Reigate stop close to my practice.

Training, qualifications & experience

Diploma Person Centred Counselling, Cornwall College, Plymouth University

Diploma Person Centred Supervision, The Simply Counselling, Plymouth

Certificate Counselling for Depression, Metanoia Institute, London

I also work part time as Clinical Lead and Counselling Lead for an NHS IAPT service.

All of this work helps deepen my understanding of my own counselling practice.

Our first session will be a chance to get to know each other and decide whether we will be a good fit - it is important that you find a therapist that you feel comfortable working with.  We will think about what is going on for you and what you are hoping to get from any sessions, and then together we will decide how we will work together.  

Sessions available on a Monday.

I am a BACP accredited person-centred counsellor and supervisor, with additional qualifications and experience as a PCE-CfD practitioner and supervisor. With over 15 years of experience, I have worked with both groups and individuals in various settings including NHS Talking Therapies (where I am currently Clinical Lead), Metanoia and private practice.

I believe that effective supervision provides a safe space for you to reflect on and explore issues that arise from your work as a therapist. This process is essential for maintaining ethical and therapeutic standards and benefiting both you and your clients.

Supervision supports you in gaining clarity and confidence as well as identifying areas for further development and training.

• I offer monthly individual supervision, both in person, via phone or online (Teams)

• I am experienced in supporting both qualified and trainee counsellors, with some concessionary rates available for trainees.

• I also offer supervision of supervision sessions.

Choosing the right supervisor is a crucial step in ensuring ethically sound support for your clinical practice. To help you decide if I am the right fit for you, I would be happy to start our work together with a free phone conversation. This will give us the opportunity to discuss how we might work best together, explore expectations and requirements and arrange your first appointment.