In Person Counselling in Ainslie, ACT

I work with clients from all backgrounds in a client centred and empathetic manner. My ability is to work with you to help distill what is exactly happening for you and then to get to work on building a foundation to move forward.

I am an experienced clinical psychologist and enjoy working with people who are experiencing broad range of issues. Stress, anxiety and depression are common experiences and for many people therapy gives them the tools to regain balance and a healthy approach to life.

Change and loss come in many forms throughout our lives - there doesn't have to be a death for you to feel bereft, a deep sense of sadness, loss or grief.

Have you felt the need to be heard and wished somebody would understand what you are going through in life? As a counsellor I will be there for you to listen to your story with respect, empathy and without judgment and help you find your path of healing and recovery. You will find a safe space in the therapy room to unburden yourself. It is your story and your journey and I will be there to guide you and help you with kindness, compassion and practical strategies to move ahead. It would be my privilege to have the opportunity to help you move towards a life filled with peace and joy.

I work with people, families and couples in a safe working space to support empowerment and healing. As a qualified and experienced therapist I offer 20 years experience drawn from work within counselling services in the UK, France & Australia. Initially trained in Person Centred Psychotherapy I went on to be trained in Family Therapy which supports a contextual understanding of the person, their situation ,their relationships as well as their struggles. My approach supports people so that they are more likely to draw on their own strengths & values while feeling resourced and able to bring about changes in their life.

Are you alone in your pain? Don't feel good on the inside? Can't trust? Not sure who to talk to about all the hurt you're holding onto? Maybe all you really want is to feel close to someone. Someone who will be gentle with you and work slowly with you. Someone who wants to understand you just the way you are. No-one wants to feel separate. We all crave close human connection. To belong. To know we matter.

With the presence of horses, Ingrid has an interest in helping clients affected by trauma such as first responders, military personnel, and teenagers for whom room-based therapy is overwhelming or boring. Anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem are common reasons individuals seek equine-assisted therapy. Ingrid has volunteer experience as a Lifeline crisis supporter and as a mentor for the Fearless Women program.

Please note: N/A during June 2024. I am a clinical psychologist with specialist skills in LGBTIQA+ affirming support and eco-therapy offering both face to face and telehealth. I have experience with clients from all walks of life, ages, neurodiversity and sexuality and gender spectrums and have published internationally on the topic of minority stress and the effects of discrimination on mental health. I also do WPATH assessments. I am also passionate about the benefits of connecting with nature and offer eco-therapy for individuals and groups, including working with climate change anxiety. I am also trained in Buddhist Psychology.

My name is Peita-Claire Fothergill. I have a Master of Counselling degree and am a registered member of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA). My counselling philosophy is rooted in the belief that each individual possesses the inherent ability to grow, change, and overcome challenges. I adopt a client-centred approach, emphasising empathy, unconditional positive regard, and genuineness in my interactions. This framework creates a supportive, non-judgmental space where clients feel heard, valued, and empowered.

I have a passion for working with clients to resolve trauma. Making sense of traumatic experiences, their effect on our mental health and relationships, and processing these safely, allows for us to be our most authentic and integrated self. I also work with individuals, parents and carers supporting their children or loved ones with acute mental health and traumatic experiences.

You might want help with anxiety, depression, neurodiversity, trauma, or relationships. Or you are looking for a translator to help you communicate across different neurotypes (NT/ND)? Do you want to break old habits, create new patterns, talk through things that you are still holding on to. Maybe you have been (newly) diagnosed with Autism or ADHD and you want to process your diagnosis in a neurodiversity affirming way? (Whilst I have a special interest in neurodiversity and trauma, I see a range of clients for a range of issues.)

I offer general counselling with a specialisation in relationship and grief counselling for mainly adult individuals or couples. Partners might feel stuck in repetitive cycles of blame and withdrawal and feel angry, resentful, sad, guilty, shameful, or lonely; or they feel numb. Together we will work towards clarity and new ways of being with each other. - Grief can come in many forms and everyone's grief journey is individual. I offer a confidential, compassionate, and non-judgemental space for clients to make sense of their emotions and questions and identify ways of adjusting to their new reality of loss, death and/or dying.

My ideal client is an adult who is grappling with inner conflict, feeling stuck in patterns that once served a purpose but now feel more like obstacles. They're seeking a deeper understanding of themselves, their emotions, and their behaviors. Their goal is to attain a harmonious state of mind, to transform inner conflict into inner dialogue, and ultimately, to better navigate their life's journey.

I hold a safe space where you can be yourself and be fully listened to in a way that may be different from what you have experienced before. Having the freedom to talk about confusing thoughts and feelings will eventually allow you to understand yourself better. I believe that the quality of the relationship we build together is key to fostering safe and in-depth self-exploration and healing. I foster authentic and meaningful communication and connection to strengthen your sense of self. I am passionate about helping you understand, process and accept your inner experiences and trust your inherent resources to resolve them.

People often feel confused, unsure or overwhelmed. Anxiety, distress, emotional pain and sadness can impede one's ability to engage fully in life. I will work with you to explore your own strengths, and build your resilience and coping skills. Together we will explore your challenges, and find ways to move forward. Safety, warmth and respect for individual differences are key to my approach. With a foundation of trauma informed practice, I use strengths based, person centred counselling, deep listening, art therapy, goal setting and mindfulness meditation. I have counselled people from all walks of life, on all life's challenges.