Welcome to
Annabel Rich Counselling
Sometimes life can be challenging and through no fault of our own rarely goes the way that we planned it. Have you experienced this? Have you ever felt a bit stuck, lost or broken as a result of your current situation or past events?
At these challenging times you might experience confused thoughts and feelings resulting in anxiety or depression. Whatever you are struggling with in your personal life, relationship or work life, counselling can help.
Do you feel anxious?
Do you feel stressed?
Do you have low mood or feel depressed?
Do you feel sad or overwhelmed?
Are you finding relationships difficult?
Are you struggling with a difficult life event?
How I can help you
As an experienced and accredited counsellor, who has worked with clients with a variety of issues including anxiety and depression, I can help you to understand yourself better, to achieve insight and the ability to resolve a situation. I can help you to explore potential changes and support you in those changes to bring back a sense of control.
Making changes can help you to lead a happier life.
This may be the first step towards the changes to your life that you have been looking for. Together we can work to restore balance to your life and increase your sense of well being.
How we can work together
I will provide you with the space and time for you to explore and express your thoughts and feelings. I will help you work through difficult feelings like anxiety and/or depression. Working together we can explore your situation to help you to achieve new insight and awareness, and perhaps a new understanding of yourself.
Together we can help you develop the ability to resolve or effectively manage a situation in your life, to empower you to make your own choices and changes so you can lead a more fulling life.
Counselling sessions
Counselling sessions can be face to face, online, or on the phone.
Face to face sessions take place my home where I have a dedicated therapy space. It is a calm and quiet room that allows for confidentiality.
Online or phone sessions allow you to attend from the comfort of your own home. There is a body of evidence that suggests that the outcome to these forms of counselling is equal to the effects of traditional face to face counselling.
Qualifications & Experience
I am a professionally qualified counsellor trained in the Humanistic Gestalt Modality.
I have:
- Accreditation with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
- Diploma (Distinction) in Gestalt Counselling awarded by Buckinghamshire New University
- Level 4 in Humanistic Gestalt Counselling
- BA Hons in Psychology and Sociology awarded by Leicester University
As well as having a private practice I also work as a Trauma Therapist supporting victims of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation.
My voluntary work has been as a counsellor at The Olive Branch, a counselling service in Winchester.
I have regular monthly supervision with a qualified counselling supervisor.
I hold professional indemnity insurance.
I am also a member of the Hampshire Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
I have an enhanced DBS certificate.
Areas of Expertise
I work with clients in the following areas:
Abortion
Anger
Anxiety
Bereavement
Depression
Divorce
Domestic Violence
Eating Disorders
Emotional Abuse
Family Relationships
Low self confidence
Panic attacks
Physical Abuse
PTSD
Relationships
Self-harm
Sexual Abuse
Stress
Suicide Ideation
Trauma
Work related issues
Continuous Professional Development
I have undertaken additional training in the following areas:
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for PTSD and Trauma
- Self Harm
- Working with Survivors of Domestic Abuse
- Sexual Abuse Survivor Training
- Working with Bereavement
- Understanding Addiction
- Play Therapy
- Infant Loss Awareness Training
- Working with trauma triggers, flashbacks, and memories
- Working with health anxiety
- Working with male mental health
- Working with relational trauma
- Attachment, trauma, and the therapeutic relationship
What is counselling?
People seek counselling and psychotherapy to help resolve a range of issues. They may be experiencing difficult and distressing events in their lives, such as bereavement, divorce, health issues, job concerns, or they may have more general underlying feelings of anxiety, depression, or a general dissatisfaction with life and feel low and just don't know why.
For many of us, there are times when life can be challenging and events in our personal or work life can be overwhelming. At these times, we may turn to friends and family for help and support. But sometimes this is not possible, or not enough, so we can feel alone and unable to cope. It is at these times talking things through with someone who is not directly involved in your life can be beneficial.
Counselling usually addresses specific issues, such as stress, anxiety, relationship issues etc. and is more short term. Psychotherapy addresses a broader range of issues and issues that might stem from the past, and this tends to be longer term.
How will counselling help?
As a Gestalt therapist I believe that all of your experiences are equally important. We might explore past events and patterns of behaviour. We may also look at the things that are helping you in life and the things that are not working. In therapy we would explore your experiences by examining feelings, thoughts and relationships. My aim is for you to become aware of your situation, find out how you are part of it, and help you find solutions or ways to face the situation. This process will help you understand and accept yourself so that you can move forward.
As a counsellor I provide a confidential, safe, non-judgemental and supportive space for you to explore issues to enable you to take control of your life, resolve your difficulties and increase your sense of well being.
Fees & Availability
Fees
I work with adults and young people over 18.
I offer therapy on a long or short term basis and each session is 50 minutes.
Each session of 50 minutes is £55.
I offer a reduced rate for students.
Payment is by BACS or cash
Availability
I have daytime appointments available for in-person or online therapy on Thursdays and Fridays.
I have evening appointments available for online therapy Monday to Thursday.
Enquiries and appointments can be made by email or by calling directly.
If I am unable to speak to you in person please leave a message by texting or leave a message on the confidential answering service, and I will return your call.
Get in touch
Taking the first step to seeking help may seem daunting and I understand this and I am aware how hard it can be.
It is important that you find the right counsellor for you so I offer a free initial session of 30 minutes for you to experience how you might feel about us working together.
If there are any questions that you may have or if you need further information please do get in touch.
You can make contact by calling on 07596 839947 or by filling in the form below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens in the first session?
The first session we have is the chance for you to assess if I am the right person for you. It also gives me the opportunity to understand what you are looking for and to see if what I can offer will suit you, before making an agreement to work together.
How often are the sessions?
To begin with sessions are usually weekly to establish a therapeutic relationship. Regular appointments are suggested for the therapy to be effective. I endeavour to accommodate clients that are perhaps unable to attend at the same day/time each week. Regular reviews are included to ensure that the counselling is meeting your needs.
How long are sessions?
Sessions are 50 minutes and can be booked one at a time or in a block. Some clients will come for a few sessions to look at a specific issue; others will choose to work for a longer period on an open-ended basis.
Where is your practice?
Counselling sessions can take place either at my home where I have a dedicated therapy room or can take place online or on the phone. Click here to find out about how to make the most of online and telephone counselling.
Supervision
As an Accredited Counsellor I work in accordance with the BACP Ethical Framework for Good Practice and therefore I ensure that I have monthly supervision for my client work. I also have consultative supervision for my supervision work.
As a supervisor I offer a supportive and collaborative approach to supervision to help you reflect on your work with your clients. My aim is to support you in your personal development and practice as a counsellor, and to provide a safe space for you to explore issues, dilemmas, concerns, and also to celebrate successes.
I hold a Level 6 Diploma in Counselling Supervision (quality checked by the National Counselling Society).
My supervision training is not modality specific so please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss your requirements.
I am currently working online, over the telephone or in person offering supervision at £55 an hour.
If you require more than an hour this can be negotiated. I offer supervision for counselling trainees at £45 an hour.
I would request that all counsellors are members of a professional body.
I offer an initial 30 minute free of charge consultation to explore if I am the right supervisor for you, as it is important that you choose a supervisor that you feel comfortable working with.