Women's Issues Counselling in Stroud

I have worked for over 15 years as a body-oriented psychotherapist, specialising in prenatal & birth/ attachment issues, sexual trauma, life transitions & crisis. I am also a TRE (Tension Releasing Exercises) provider, to support the release of stress from the body/ mind. More recently I have trained to work with women of all ages & life stages around menstrual cycle awareness, the menopause passage & after & I am currently training as a women's transformational coach & facilitator. I feel passionately about supporting women to step into greater self-love, empowerment & fulfillment in all areas of their life.

Life is not always easy. The fact that you are looking at my page suggests that something feels stuck, painful, maybe hopeless or unreachable and that you want something different for yourself – that you want things to change. Perhaps you want to free yourself from repetitive patterns of behaviour, depression, anxiety and self-limiting beliefs or the impact of trauma. Maybe you want to deepen your connection to yourself so that life feels richer and more rewarding and you can find a more authentic sense of yourself. Whatever your reason, I offer you a safe, empathetic and thoughtful space to explore whatever you want to bring.

My name is Hannah and I am passionate about women-centred counselling. I have been qualified as a midwife for 15 years and see counselling as an extension of this role. The word midwife means "with woman" and I see counselling as standing with people through life's highs, lows, changes and challenges. I truly believe that empowering women to tell their stories and make meaningful connections in their lives, is powerful and transformative. From our first steps into womanhood, through to the richness of later years - our stories as women encompass so much and hold such value, with enormous capacity for strength and transformation.

You might be in crisis: a relationship breakdown, sudden news of the death of a loved one or an illness, a work loss, or at an emotional or spiritual crossroads. Or you may generally have the feeling that your life isn't all you'd like it to be - you feel stuck, aren't living up to your potential or feeling as fulfilled or happy as you would like. Either way, you can be supported to navigate successfully through the very choppy waters of crisis - or the fog of confusion or uncertainty. You don't have to go it alone! You may well emerge from the other side a stronger and happier person than you ever thought possible.

At the heart of healing from trauma is the human relationship. I offer my clients a safe, consistent, honest and heart led space from within which you can explore all that you are and find integration. I am an experienced, BACP registered NARM therapist; specialising in Complex Trauma. Psychodynamically trained, with a particular interest in Relational and intersubjective approaches. My personal and clinical experience has led me to believe that we each have the capacity to heal from our early wounds; what ever they may be.

I champion a person's ability to empower themselves and develop a stronger self connection and connection to others. It is a privilege to share in the personal challenges and ventures of each unique individual & couple I work with in therapy. If you need to find a space to really be listened to, make sense of past, present or future events, discuss personal issues and learn how to move into a deeper understanding of yourself & your relationship to those around you, I would be honoured to be there alongside you.

I am an integrative counsellor and relational psychotherapist working with both individuals and couples. I believe deeply in our resilience as human beings, and our ability to heal in the right environment with the right support. I focus on collaborating with my clients, empowering them, ensuring they always feel safe. I hold in mind and draw upon different theories depending on what I feel would benefit each individual client. Please see my website for more info about how I work. I am currently in my final year of a Masters in Advanced Clinical Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy at the Minster Centre in London.

All of us experience challenges as part of life. When these are traumatic or overwhelming, they deplete our energy, create blockages, hinder healthy functioning, disconnect from our power and take us out of our inner alignment. Despite being outwardly successful, you may feel that something is missing within you and you are not truly yourself. There are many reasons for why this might have happened and for some people this starts very early in their childhood, for others later in life and in both instances, there are ways in which these experiences can be explored and transformed into an inner healing and positive growth process.

I work with people who want to improve their relationships with themselves, others and life itself. Trained in body psychotherapy, I will work with you on all levels of your being (mind, body and spirit) in a transparent, caring and empowering way. My focus is on supporting you to achieve the life changes you need to become truly happy, and on creating maximum value for you going forward (so that you can experience deep and lasting change). In my approach, I work by listening deeply to your life force and holding the space for your process to emerge, your inner child to be heard and all of your feelings and thoughts to be welcomed.

You may be finding it difficult to cope, and feel alone? You may be struggling after a trauma or bereavement, separation, or with ill-health? Or maybe feel that your life is stuck, or lacking purpose? At times like these, counselling offers a space for you to explore your thoughts and feelings, with someone who will strive to understand without judgement, & help you make sense of your feelings, find clarity, or make decisions. I offer all my clients Empathy, Congruence, and Unconditional Positive Regard. I also offer play, sand-tray, art and creative therapies to my younger clients. Home visits are available.

At times, we all need a safe guide to carry the light to assist us on the path ahead towards finding balance within, caring for ourselves and healing the past. You don’t have to find your way alone. If you’re feeling detached, stressed out, depressed, a sense of low self-worth, experiencing poor sleep, having difficulties in relationships, or troubled by and avoiding past traumas, I am here to help you. With me, you’ll find a compassionate and holistic approach. I work to help people find their own innate abilities and strengths. Ultimately, I will guide you to heal and live from a place of inner care, respect, and love.

Talking about what is troubling you; from worries about getting angry to managing difficult experiences or tricky relationships - therapy can help. Perhaps you want to move forwards but feel stuck, or a change is proving tough to navigate. Perhaps you want to loosen the grip of the past on your present. Sometimes a calm, safe space to think about what really matters for you is what is needed, and therapy offers this. My approach is guided by your needs, we'll work at your pace to explore what is going on and help you to find a way to manage what this means for you. If talking to friends feels uncomfortable a therapist could help.

People take the step to seek therapy for many reasons. Perhaps you are experiencing feelings of anxiety, overwhelm or depression. You may be facing a dilemma, feeling stuck or lacking a sense of purpose or direction in life. Often people will come because they are struggling with relationship or family issues that feel hard to resolve. A traumatic event, loss or life-stage crisis might lead you to look for professional support. Maybe fears and unhelpful behaviours are limiting your life.

Now more than ever we are living in a world where contact with others has become increasingly difficult, not just physically but also emotionally. It would be understandable for many people to be feeling isolated and cut of from the rest of humanity at this time, for some this may also trigger painful, old wounds of unmet needs and maybe even a sense of hopelessness. You may crave feeling really connected to someone who is fully present with you and is invested in really understanding you and your situation, someone who can help you to create a relationship that will help to heal relationships that have failed in the past.

Are you looking for someone to help support you and/or your children? Being a Parent is one of the hardest jobs in the world and still isn't recognised enough for that. There is no shame in asking for extra support or guidance for any member of your family, so that you can live in a more peaceful home. The name 'Cwtch,' inspired by my Welsh heritage, holds a special significance. It encapsulates the essence of a warm embrace that instils a sense of safety in both mind and body—a space I am dedicated to creating for you and your family on your therapeutic journey.

I am a 'Human Givens' Psychotherapist (www.hgi.org.uk). Whilst my HG journey started in 2009 my work in the field began 20 years prior. I have since taught on a counselling diploma, worked as a therapist with adults, staff within organisations, teachers, parents, young people and children overseas as well as in the UK (particularly Sri Lanka). In private practice my strengths lie in flexibility and creativity - tailor-making my approach to each client. I use an eclectic approach within the Human Givens framework, knowing exactly why each varied and different technique can be effective in accordance with current neuroscience.

My aim is to help you achieve insight into what makes you tick, and for us to work collaboratively to develop strategies that assist you in living a complete, fulfilling life. While you will have some immediate pressing issues that bring you to therapy, we can also explore any longer-term, underlying issues concerning you. It is important to me that you feel comfortable to talk about your problems, experiences and personal thoughts.

I'm an integrative counsellor who can provide a safe space for the sharing of your self-reflections, emotions, and life experiences. I am equipped with skills and knowledge working with young adults, domestic abuse, and women who have been through the criminal justice system. Our work together starts with the relationship between us, and I will firstly focus on building trust and connection, to create a feeling of freedom and security in the room. I understand that counselling can bring up many resistances, and together we can find ways to take care of these, offering them the consideration they deserve.

My practice is integrative, drawing on both the humanistic and psychodynamic schools of therapy. This means that I hold the client/therapist relationship at the core of what I do, offering clients empathy, kindness and an environment free of judgement. ​