Angela Hobson

Core 9am-5pm appointments and flexibility around shift patterns if required.

I am also available some evenings and Saturday mornings.

Please contact me to discuss without obligation.

I am a Counsellor Psychotherapist practising since 2001.  I hold a MSc Counselling and Psychotherapy and have over 3,000 hours of supervised practice. 

I have 20+ years experience of working as a Counsellor and latterly a Specialist Counsellor for various NHS Trusts and I have managed a NHS counselling and bereavement service for teenagers and young people.

I have worked as part of a multi-disciplinary team within a NHS Tertiary Care service.  Alongside patients, I have  provided counselling and emotional support to parents and carers and partners of those affected by trauma and the reality of loss.  I have also supported staff within the service.

I have worked in NHS primary care with young people 13+ and adults experiencing a wide range of emotional difficulties and common mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. I have supported many of my clients through trauma-related issues.

I have experience of working with young people affected by the devastating 2017 Manchester Bombing.

I have worked for staff employment schemes and also in many different teams and services within the private, public and voluntary sectors.  Prior to my initial training as a counsellor, I worked in banking and finance and recruitment and selection.

During my varied career, I recognise some of the difficulties in managing a positive work/life balance.  Employees can experience many workplace issues involving bullying, workplace stressors, unrealistic deadlines and clashes of personality. It can often feel like difficulties are becoming overwhelming and emotional and physical reactions start to gain momentum. 

I have experience of working in an all-male environment.  I have provided therapies to members of the 'Blue Light' community - police, paramedics and fire personnel.

I feel that my approach is non-judgemental, caring and supportive, I offer my clients empathy and respect, however I offer challenge to help clients meet their own realistic goals while developing different coping strategies to change negative automatic thoughts and beliefs.

I believe I am easy to talk to and friendly within appropriate boundaries of professional practice.

I have a wide range of skills and training, offering short-term  solution-focused therapies through to longer-term interventions aimed at more complex presentations including childhood abuse, violence and trauma.

I offer my therapies within a confidential person-centred framework. I am trained in brief-therapies, Mindfulness based cognitive behavioural therapy and solution-focussed therapies.

I have asked myself in the past "why am I absolutely fine in this particular situation, yet in another, I feel anxious and I lack confidence"? It is confusing how being placed in certain situations can affect levels of self-esteem and confidence and impact relationships both inside and outside the workplace.

We can discuss individual needs and therapy preferences at any initial consultation.  

There is no pressure for block bookings of appointments and I am open to providing ad hoc support by prior arrangement according to need.

I hold an Enhance Disclosure and Barring Certificate renewed annually.  I am registered with the Information Commissioners Office.  My confidentiality policy will be explained on contact.

I work face to face, on-line and by telephone. I aim to offer appointments to accommodate work schedules and other pressures, however I may have limited availability in periods of high demand.

I would like proof of identity and address prior to any first full appointment. 

My fees are £55 per hour with concessions for young people, students and older adults 66+ at £40 per hour. Initial consultation will be 1.5 hours at £60 and £45 respetively.

I am open for telephone consultation prior to making a decision whether to access my service.

I can offer a 10 minute complimentary contact by telephone for any initial questions and for potential clients to get a 'sense' if I will be the right person to meet their needs at this time. It’s important to feel at ease and confident with your therapist (not everyone is for everyone)!

Any initial contact is entirely without obligation.

At a first appointment, we will talk through our client agreement which covers data protection, information, how I keep and store notes and my confidentiality policy.  It is important clients feel that their privacy is protected.

I am trained in the use of various assessment and outcome measures however these need to be meaningful to the client.

I am unable to offer a crisis service and anyone feeling at risk should immediately contact their G.P. and alert a responsible adult to support them, if necessary, to attend their nearest A&E department. (Samaritans 116 123).  Local support can be found by downloading the 'Hub of Hope' award winning application.