Take a pause to look after you
Welcome, and thank you for visiting my website
My name is Vicky, and I provide couples/relationship therapy and counselling to individuals in Biggleswade and the surrounding areas. I can offer both short-term and long-term support. I also offer counselling by telephone or online, using Whatsapp and Zoom.
We all experience times of difficulty in our lives, when events or relationships feel overwhelming, or we can feel a loss of direction or purpose. Talking to another person helps us make sense of those challenging times and offers a way through them, moving towards a better understanding of ourselves and our feelings.
Speak in Confidence
Counselling takes place in a safe space, where you can meet with someone who will listen with sensitivity and empathy - and without judgement. In the therapy space thoughts and feelings can be expressed freely and in confidence.
A problem shared...
Trouble with a relationship; anxiety or panic attacks; mood swings or depression - many people face difficulties in their everyday lives that can be hard to get on top of. Counselling gives us a set of tools we can use to help gain a better understanding of what’s causing these problems - and how you can move towards managing or resolving them.
Make better, healthier new choices
Working together I can help you gain greater insight into the difficulties you are facing, help you understand why you act or react to them the way you do, and see how you can start to make better, heathier choices moving forward.
How can counselling and therapy help you?
I started working with individuals face-to-face and online using the person-centered approach. This means that I believe you are the expert of your life and support you on your journey. I provide a space that offers empathy, non-judgement, and acceptance.
As my experience progressed I noticed a pattern about how much relationships play a part in our lives. From this, I trained and worked with Relate to become a relationship counsellor. From this training I can integrate psychodynamic, systemic and narrative theories to help clients.
As a relationship counsellor I can support you with communication breakdowns which often leads to a loss of emotional closeness, trust, and physical intimacy. I support you while you explore and learn a new way of communicating and understanding each other.
These new tools will provide a calm and open way to resolve conflict and meet each other’s needs. We will work on building a healthy space for greater trust, appreciation, and care to blossom.
People come to me for help with a wide range of issues. Here are a few of the more common difficulties that can be supported through couples and individual counselling:
Feelings of stress or anxiety
Panic attacks
Relationship problems
Grief, loss or bereavement
Problems with addiction
Trauma and post-traumatic stress
Depression
Problems with confidence or self-esteem
Anger management
Issues relating to sexuality
Difficulties at work or in retirement
Problems with family or school life
My Location
I am based in Biggleswade and see clients from Sandy, Potton, Stevenage, Bedford, Hitchin, Letchworth, and the surrounding areas.
In addition to providing face-to-face therapy, I also offer online sessions via Zoom or WhatsApp video call.
Availability
Sessions last 50 minutes, either on a weekly or fortnightly basis.
I also provide some limited spaces for those on a low income, please contact me to discuss.
Fees
Individuals
£45 per session
Couples online*
£70 per session
Couples face-to-face*
£70 per session
Student counsellors
£35 per session
*Including initial assessment sessions
Get in touch
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how counselling works, or to arrange an initial assessment session. This enables us to discuss the reasons you are thinking of coming to counselling, whether it could be helpful for you and whether I am the right therapist to help.
You can also call me on 07731673497 if you would prefer to leave a message or speak to me first. I am happy to discuss any queries or questions you may have prior to arranging an initial appointment.
All enquires are usually answered within 24 hours, and all contact is strictly confidential.
Frequently asked questions
Who can come to you for counselling?
Young adults, adults, older adults, and couples.
Do you offer a consultation/introductory session?
Initial consultations are free of charge. I offer a 20-minute session to enable you to understand the process and ask any questions you have.
My aim is to offer this first appointment within a few days. How quickly we can start our sessions will depend on our joint availability and whether you wish to have online or face to face counselling.
Once I pick face to face or online - do I have to stay with that?
No, we can do a blended mix of face to face or online, or you can opt to move to a different choice which fits with your circumstances.
I would offer the same session each week but understand life and work can vary, with this in mind I will try to support flexible options so you can access counselling.
How long will I need to have counselling?
How long a period of counselling lasts will vary from person to person and depend on the depth of the issues they are facing.
There is no one rule for this, but we will review regularly together helping us keep your goal in focus and reflect on the progress.
Often counselling does not have a linear path and other topics arise as we explore together.
Will everything I say be kept confidential?
Everything that is said within the counselling room is private - this is one of the main ways counselling and therapy differ from talking to a friend or relative.
I will provide a copy of my confidentiality and GDPR policy to you. If you proceed with counselling information around confidentiality is explained in the client/counsellor working contract and will be discussed in our first session to ensure full understanding and transparency.
Do you see people in LGBTQ+ and polyamorous relationships?
I welcome everyone regardless of how they identify in terms of sexuality, gender and relationship choices.
Is relationship counselling just for couples?
Relationship counselling can help any form of relationship – friends, family and couples. Even as an individual you can have support specifically on the topic of relationships.
What happens in the sessions?
Our first session will generally be about deciding together if I am best placed to give you the support you need or whether somewhere else might be more appropriate.
In relationship counselling I will ask to see all those in the relationship individually as well as together before deciding on the way forward. This is called an initial assessment. This means that if you're in a couple, it will generally take three sessions (two individually and one together) to complete your initial assessment.
It might seem drawn out or complicated, but my only aim is to ensure we don't waste your time and that you get the support that's right for you.
Can counselling help with separation?
Yes! Counselling is a very effective way of talking through and negotiating a separation or a divorce. It can help you process any of the tough emotions you might be struggling to deal with, and bring the relationship to an end with as little pain or misunderstanding as possible.
Will you contact my partner and ask them to attend?
I can't do this for you, but I can help you develop strategies on how to approach your partner and ask them to come along.
Can you help with sex issues?
I can help with communication around intimacy and connection which impacts sex. If there are specific issues, a specialist psychosexual therapist might be more suited, but we can explore this in an initial assessment and I can refer you on if that is required.