Claire Wilson
Counsellor/Therapist
Lesley Redfearn
Psychotherapist & Counsellor
Dr Jean Penman
Specialist Counsellor/Psychotherapist, Clinical Supervisor and Workshop Leader
Debbie Metcalfe
Counsellor
Hanneke Lee
Integrative Therapist/Counsellor
Anthonia Daniels
Counsellor & Life Coach
Ruth Chappin
Psychodynamic Counsellor
Elise Constable
Counsellor
Janice Blake
Counsellor
Claire is a Counsellor/Therapist who offers 1:1 counselling for adults, adolescents and children. Her areas of expertise are Trauma and Anxiety.
Qualifications:
“Life threw some difficult challenges at me in my younger years and I struggled for a long while with my mental health and with some traumatic events that had a massive impact on me. It wasn’t until I was in my 30s that I went to see a Counsellor and was amazed at the difference it made. It was at this point I thought I’d like to be a Therapist.
Before becoming a Counsellor, I did lots of different jobs including working in Human Resources, Customer Services and also worked at a bank. Most recently I worked in a school, initially to do an Admin role, but it soon turned into a Pastoral Role as I naturally had the ability to get teenagers to talk to me about their issues. While I was still at the school, I began my Counselling Training and then in 2017 I qualified as a Counsellor.
I’m Mum to 2 children (aged 17 & 10) and live with my partner in Ampthill, along with our crazy French Bulldog, Frank. Before COVID-19 I used to work from a Therapy Room at home, but I have not yet returned to seeing clients at home and now work a lot via Zoom video as well as working as School Counsellor at Middle and Upper Schools.”
Mobile: 07943 793415
Email: cwcounselling27@gmail.com
Qualifications:
Masters (MA) – Psychodynamic Counselling
Diploma – Psychodynamic Counselling
Foundation Certificate – Psychodynamic Counselling
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
Psychodynamic therapy is a talking therapy that explores the connection between our past experiences and relationships and how they may have impacted and influenced us in the present. Our first session will be focused on you, your life experiences, how you’re feeling and what you want to achieve from therapy. Why is this important? Throughout our lives we all carry an unconscious backpack, this holds all of our significant life experiences. There is only so much room in this bag and sometimes when something happens in life it can feel very full, weigh us down and the contents to spill out causing anxiety and overwhelm in our lives, and relationships. My job as a therapist is to help you hold the weight of that bag, provide a space to think about what might be in it and think together about how it’s affecting you in your present life. We often find that problems in the present are affected by thoughts, feelings, memories, and experiences from our past and by understanding and recognizing these, we can begin to think about how to re-pack that bag so it’s no so difficult for you to carry.
My name is Lesley, I am an experienced psychotherapist and psychodynamic counsellor. I am passionate about helping people who are struggling with difficult feelings and emotions to understand these and themselves better, providing support to enable them to make the right changes for them to feel more in control and to begin to work towards meeting their therapy goals.
Having experienced long-term psychodynamic and person-centered therapy myself, I understand how daunting and difficult this journey is and how hard it is to take that leap of faith to contact and connect with someone when looking for help. I offer a welcoming, inclusive, safe space, free of judgement to think about and discuss whatever you would like. I believe that the therapeutic relationship between the client and therapist is the key to successful therapy and my aim is to support and encourage you throughout our work together. I have a flexible approach to therapy, understanding everyone is individual in their needs and therefore no one size fits all.
I don’t have all of the answers as everyone’s answers are completely unique to them, but I am confident that we can find them together.
Alongside my private practice, I am currently studying for a professional doctorate focusing primarily on disordered eating and difficulties in early family relationships. I’m also experienced in working with a wide range of presentations including:
· Eating disorders including issues with overeating
· Relationship issues, current and past
· Bereavement
· Loss
· Domestic violence
· Mental and emotional abuse
· Anxiety
· Depression
· Sexual trauma
· Low self-esteem
· Bullying
Working hours:
Monday – evenings
Wednesday – daytime and evenings
Email: lesleyrcounselling@gmail.com
Qualifications:
Professional Doctorate ‘Engaging with persistent ‘medically unexplained’ physical symptoms in healthcare’, Institute of Health Research, University of Bedfordshire.
MSc Psychodynamics of Human Development, Birkbeck, University of London.
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy(BACP) Senior Accredited Counsellor/Psychotherapist
Member of Professional Associations:
Member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) Senior Accredited
Member of the British Society of Sexual Medicine
Services:
Personal therapy, one to one or couple therapy to work through any of the following specialist areas and more:
and working appropriately, if within my skills set, with other difficulties arising during therapy
Clinical Supervision:
Provision of professional clinical supervision, support and challenge, to maintain ethical practice and avoid professional burnout
Provision of supervision for your role as clinical or therapy supervisor
Workshops:
“My early training from the green age of 18 at Bart’s Hospital, London was as an adult nurse. Somehow, perhaps because of my own early life experience of a temporarily sick little brother, I couldn’t consider people as ‘the appendicitis case in bed 12’. I became increasingly interested in how some people recovered more quickly than others with less pain and agitation and that others had hidden concerns that to our shame, we never found out about. From these early days working in acute specialist care, pain relief and symptom control to care of the dying and their family and working alongside GPs providing healthcare to young families and the older person in the community, I never lost the sense that if we have no knowledge of context nor of what matters personally, the best ‘evidence based’ interventions will not necessarily lead to recovery or improved wellbeing.
After some time, I got onto many years of experiential training for working alongside the unspoken distress of an emotional or physical disruption to intimacy. This could often follow a rushed or insensitive experience of intimate physical examinations, medical investigations and treatment, traumatic childbirth, unwanted sexual attention and near death experiences… to name but a few underlying causes.
Addressing/talking through sexual dysfunction with people allowed me to witness recovery from years of sex not working well enough, to other body problems that also, often surprisingly, started to improve. This practice based evidence got me into researching the connections between body, mind and emotion. There are such important links to appreciate as we attempt to enhance physical and emotional wellbeing in a more focused way to everyone’s satisfaction!
There are occasions when I need to write down what I feel or see in a moment (not usually work related) without my own critical judgement on it. This feels freeing and good. I might also try it with paint some-time soon!”
Email: jeanspenman@gmail.com
Qualifications:
Services:
Support and Talking Therapy with:
Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Mental health issues, Self-esteem issues including self-harm, Abuse, Bereavement and loss, Stress, Illness, Relationships, Panic attacks, Life Transitions , Drawing and Talking Practitioner
About Debbie:
Hi, I’m Debbie I love dancing, painting, taking part in quizzes and walking my dog (unless it’s raining!) I have also experienced many challenges and understand how painful life can be and how scary it is to ask for help. If you often feel weighed down by anxiety, are overwhelmed with sadness or feel that life is a struggle for you right now, come and talk to me. Together we will explore your issues, beliefs and feelings to help you understand what is going on for you and empower you to regain control of your life.
No-one knows exactly what it is like to be you, which is why in our sessions, you will be treated as the expert as I support you in discovering your own abilities and autonomy. By treating you with warmth, empathy, and respect I create a safe, non-judgemental environment where you can talk openly about any issues that are troubling you. You will be supported in finding solutions that work best for you so that you feel more able to tackle current and future problems.
I have many years’ experience working with children and adults helping them with a wide range of issues. I work as a bereavement volunteer for Cruse working with adults, children and teenagers. I am warm, approachable, and easy to talk to – sometimes we just need to be heard.
Mobile: 07476 957782
Email: dmetcalfecounselling@gmail.com
Qualifications:
Member of Professional Associations:
Registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
Services:
Hanneke is an integrative therapist providing counselling and well-being services. She offers short and long term counselling and can support with issues including:
About Hanneke:
Having grown up in the Netherlands, Hanneke first visited England during her university years. Work experience as part of her degree developed into a job opportunity and she subsequently settled in the Bedfordshire area from 2004 onwards.
Hanneke’s background is in the education sector where she provided support and consultations for a diverse range of professionals, children, young people and their families, helping them to navigate difficult and emotional challenges often linked to anxiety, autistic spectrum disorders, neurodiversity, sensory processing differences and emotional wellbeing.
In her thirties, Hanneke sought counselling and hypnotherapy to work through unresolved issues from her past which had started forming barriers and limitations in her family, personal and work life. Experiencing the powerful impact of working with a professional that can provide a safe space to talk and be alongside us when we feel vulnerable and in need of support guided her towards her next vocation.
Hanneke’s approach to counselling was born out of the emphasis she places on developing a strong relationship and understanding of the unique perspective and experience of the individual. Hanneke places the client at the centre of her work and draws from different therapeutic modalities, adopting an accepting and non-judgmental stance.
Studies and research in the field of environmental sensitivity (Michael Pluess) and/or heightened sensitivity (Elaine Aron) are one of Hanneke’s passionate interests. Sensitivity is a personality trait (just like introversion and extraversion) affecting about 20% of the population and related awareness and understanding can prove to be an influential discovery towards increased wellbeing, self-care and acceptance of self.
Mobile: 07942 287813
Email: hlee.counselling@gmail.com
Qualifications:
Services:
Individual Person-Centred counselling: Working with adults experiencing difficulties around identity, self-worth, abuse, depression, anxiety, family & relationships, loneliness, bereavement & grief and various other unresolved issues from the past.
Transformation coaching: Working with individuals to achieve the mindset shift needed to develop a paradigm which enhances their belief system so they can channel their energy productively and achieve whatever goals they set their hearts on.
Visit websiteAbout Anthonia:
“Migrating to the UK from Nigeria as an adult, I had no idea how much learning and unlearning I would need to do. The challenges came at me fast and furious. Professionally, the challenges were tough, but I managed. When I started to struggle with parenting and other relationships however, the bottom fell out of my world. Surrounded by so many struggles, I questioned my worth and who I was. I was in a dark place.
My journey to finding answers to my questions led me to get counselling and birthed in me the desire to help others find answers to their questions. As a counsellor and life coach, I aim to create an enabling environment for others to find light in their darkness and move towards a brighter and more fulfilled life.
When I am not working, I enjoy visiting new places, once I get past the hassles of packing and making my way there, both of which I would gladly skip if I somehow could!”
Mobile: 07518 421096
Email: lightedlife.tonia@gmail.com
Qualifications:
Services:
Ruth is a psychodynamic counsellor providing a counselling and well-being service for adult individuals from all walks of life. She offers a safe and non-judgemental space for you to freely express whatever is on your mind or whatever comes to mind.
Counselling can help with all kinds of issues, such as:
Initial assessment is £30.00 and then thereafter the fee is £60.00 a session
Member of Professional/Governing Bodies:
Registered member (MBACP) of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
Graduate membership (GMBPsS) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
About Ruth:
The psychodynamic perspective is a belief that our childhood experiences with care givers colour the way we relate in current relationships, our daily interactions, our beliefs and responses to stress.
My aim whilst being closely tuned in and empathic is to help you make sense of your life and your internal world, by making conscious what is unconscious. In doing so you will gain; not only an understanding of why you think, feel, relate and behave the way you do, but, also, a sense of your true-self, a freedom to make better choices, to have more fulfilling relationships, more self-compassion, and a capacity to be more creative. I whole heartedly believe in the unique healing power of the client-counsellor relationship, to feel truly known, held in mind, understood and accepted unconditionally is what creates shifts in your thinking, and stays with you long after the counselling is over. I offer sort-term or open-ended counselling to suit your needs. We meet for 50 minutes sessions once a week same time and day. The room here at The Happy Body Project is warm and inviting, comfortable and confidential, and is in a discreet rural relaxing location.
My work is guided by the BACP so, you can feel safe in the knowledge that I am bound by a national code of ethics and professional standards.
“Truth does not exist though as some external idea, as plato thought, but as a reality that exits in between: in between two persons seeking it…… It will not be possessed by any one person or group. Someone who proclaims ‘I have the truth’ has lost it. For truth can be seen or glimpsed, not possessed. When I see the truth, some change occurs in me. I can never be the same again. Something in my personality has altered; a previous preconception gives way to truth, but it is in the very nature of truth that each glimpse only emphasizes the degree to which truth still lies outside or beyond”.
(Symington, 1986. P. 17).
Contact either via the website or email is Ruth.chappin@hotmail.co.uk
Qualifications:
Member of Professional/Governing Bodies:
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
Visit websiteAbout Elise:
Hello my name is Elise and I am a professional counsellor. I work with both adults and young people. I am a person-centred counsellor, which is a holistic approach. I am passionate about supporting clients to become the best version of themselves, through self-discovery in a safe and confidential space. Working to the ethical framework of BACP, I offer a non-judgmental and ethical practice.
We can all find ourselves in times of difficulties, the struggles of everyday life can get the better of us, or long-term problems can start to feel overwhelming. This can leave us feeling stressed and anxious, which could lead to other issues. Working together we can explore your feelings and find ways for you to manage challenges with greater ability. I believe that we all have our own resources to deal with obstacles, but they can be hard to draw on in times of worry, counselling can improve emotional well-being and develop resilience to life’s complexities.
I offer face to face sessions in a quiet, safe environment at the Happy Body Project. It is in a beautiful setting, with plenty of parking and wheelchair access. There is a lovely large reception where you can spend time before the session, and after if you feel that you need some time to reflect on the session. I also offer online sessions and over the telephone.
Finding the right counsellor to work with can be a daunting task, with this in mind, I offer a free 20 minute session either online or over the phone. During this session we can discuss how we would work together, answer any questions that you may have, and talk about some of the issues that have brought you to counselling.
Mobile: 07593 765924
Email: silvertree@btinternet.com
Qualifications:
Services:
I offer person-centred Counselling to Adults who have experienced or are experiencing difficulties that affect their ability to live their life in the way they want to.
The areas I can offer help with are:
Anxiety
Depression
Low self-esteem
Bereavement and loss
Trauma
Relationship difficulties
I also have experience of working with Veterans adjusting to returning to civilian life and people who are adjusting to living with a disability or life changing injury. I offer sessions on a 1:1 basis either long or short term in a safe, confidential space that enables you to share whatever you need to bring and explore
Member of Professional/Governing Bodies:
BACP – British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists
About Janice:
I have spent most of my working life supporting people facing difficulties with day to day living for a whole host of reasons, but usually because they were struggling with poor Mental Health. I found that just having someone who took the time to listen was the thing that seemed to help them most and I was often told I was easy to talk to and a good listener. I didn’t want to waste that gift, so it seemed that the natural thing to do was to become a Counsellor; so here I am today in a role that I love that finally allows me to offer people the space and time they need to say what they need to. I believe that Person Centred Counselling can help you to understand what is making you feel unsettled and together we can help you to find your path.
In my spare time, when I get it, I love to walk my dogs, being outdoors in my garden and spending time doing various crafts.
Mobile: 07726 771275
Email: jan.blakecounselling@btinternet.com
The Happy Body Project Wellness Centre, West Park Farm, Wilstead Hill, Bedford MK45 3QS, UK
