Samantha Biswas

I work during office hours, Monday to Fridays.

I am a fully qualified, accredited and experienced counsellor offering professional, non judgmental and confidential counselling in a safe and quiet environment where you can explore the issues which concern you. I am also a qualified supervisor offering integrative supervision to qualified counsellors.

I work in an integrative way meaning I am able to draw on a number of theoretical models and together we can find what is most helpful for you. My core way of working is psychodynamic which means that we look at how your past may be impacting on your present. You may feel you would like a cognitive approach where I help you to look at your thought processes as well as your feelings. Alternatively you may find a very focused approach works best for you and some Solution Focused Brief Therapy could be helpful.

For some the most therapeutic aspect is just to be able to tell their story and to be heard. In this case I would take a person-centred approach, following your lead and ensuring you have the space to go at your own pace.

There may be no obvious trigger for your distress or you may be depressed or anxious. You may be having difficulty adjusting to life transitions such as becoming a parent or retiring from work. It can be helpful to explore this with someone objective and with whom you can be totally honest about your feelings.

I am also legally qualified and registered to counsel those affected by adoption at any time in their life and work as a therapeutic counsellor for Barnardo's.

I offer counselling in a private and comfortable environment from my consulting room in St Albans. Toilet facilities are available.

I am within easy reach of Junctions 21A and 22 of the M25 and Junction 7 and 9 of the M1. Parking is unrestricted and free.

I can also be reached via St Albans City train station and my consulting room is on good bus routes.

I am also registered with BUPA to provide counselling and psychotherapy under the terms of there private health insurance policy.

I work with individuals from age 18 years upwards and offer short term counselling or longer term psychotherapy according to your needs. I believe that the quality of the relationship between counsellor and client is key to the success of any therapy and so suggest an initial consultation with no obligation for you to continue. This meeting will enable you to get a sense of whether I would be the right counsellor for you and you will also have the opportunity to ask me any questions you may have about the counselling process. Alternatively, I am happy to have a brief telephone chat before you commit to a full session.

When you telephone you may get my answerphone which is confidential. If you leave your name, number and a time you can be contacted, I will return your call.

I offer supervision to both qualified and trainee counsellors as well as to other supervisors and those working in the caring professions. I hold a Diploma in Integrative Supervision.

Supervision can be face to face or remotely via telephone or Zoom. I hold a Certificate in online and telephone counselling/supervision.

I have many years experience of supervising counsellors of various modalities and at all stages of professional development both in private practice and in organisational settings.

I regularly work with counsellors in training and am familiar with the supervisory requirements of training organisations.

I am also a registered adoption counsellor so am able to offer supervision to counsellors working in the adoption field.

My aim is to provide you with a safe, non judgmental, collaborative and reflective space where you can explore all aspects of your practice. 

I incorporate Hawkins and Shohet's seven-eyed model of supervision into my practice and this helps to ensure supervisees are able to work safely and ethically.

I believe that the quality of the relationship between counsellor and supervisor is key to the success of any supervision and so suggest an initial consultation with no obligation for you to continue. This meeting will enable you to get a sense of whether I would be the right supervisor for you and you will also have the opportunity to ask me any questions you may have about the supervision process.