Dorothy Thompsett

Is something telling you that a change is needed, a pressing problem you want to go away? Or do you find yourself at a crossroads, unable to move ahead? Maybe you feel your life is a compromise, that you are ‘going through the motions’ in a detached way; or the opposite: find yourself subject to strong emotions that sabotage your plans? Do you need a helping hand, some structure to help you to move forward, some shelter, guidance, insight or challenge? Are you wanting to grow and evolve?

I truly believe that this one life of ours is worth living fully, honestly and as free as possible from limiting patterns, beliefs and behaviours that we have inherited and that hold us back. I am convinced therapy can bring significant changes: greater acceptance of self and others, more freedom from destructive patterns, better relationships, and less anxiety; changes that are likely to have a long-term impact. I want to help my clients towards a life of personal meaning, of choice, creativity and truly responsible decision-making, until the time that they feel able to walk alone or with a well chosen life partner.

I offer a secure sanctuary to explore your emotions, your struggles and your deepest secrets.Together we will gently unpick your actions and reactions, your physical symptoms, your dreams and your emotional states so that you can understand yourself and your many aspects with compassion, and evolve a life that truly suits you. Our sessions will shed light on your deeply hidden blueprints and barriers and allow you to understand the roots of your behaviour. I will shelter you as you process your past hurts and angers, and free yourself to enjoy, perhaps for the first time, your life

I have worked with adults and children encountering significant life changes and transitions; also people wanting to repair themselves from traumas (such as lockdown or school bullying for example) who are now suffering from various problems. I am a qualified person-centred counsellor with a postgraduate certificate in art psychotherapy. I have a Doctorate and a Masters in expressive art. I work both face-to-face and online. I offer both traditional 'talk therapy' or we can work more 'expressively' if you wish. 

I have worked in schools, prisons, drug and alcohol services and currently work for local services that help people with depression, low self-esteem, phobias, panic attacks and generalised anxiety. I am a professional member of the BACP and follow their guidelines and ethical framework.

Having been a professional artist and university lecturer for many years, I decided to seek therapy when my well-ordered life began to feel distinctly wrong. I suddenly realised that despite seeming to live the dream, I had in fact been living under a sort of self imposed cosh. Over time, I came to realise that my life was, in one sense, an elaborate and clever coping strategy devised by the lonely and untrusting child I once was. Therapy enabled me to break away from what was no longer working and make changes that served my adult needs (which includes considering the needs of others, ) as well as my spontaneous passions. 

Please call or email me to set up an initial chat where we can discuss what you want to get out of therapy.

What next?

Please call or email me to set up an initial chat where we can discuss what you want to get out of therapy; if you wish to continue we will then set up a second session, before arranging to meet weekly. Please note that I take on a limited number of clients. This is so that I can work intensively with each.

Do you need a helping hand, some structure to help you to move forward, some shelter, guidance, insight or challenge? Is something telling you that a change is needed, a pressing problem you want to go away? Or do you find yourself at a crossroads, unable to move ahead? Maybe you feel your life is a compromise, that you are ‘going through the motions’ in a detached way; or the opposite: find yourself subject to strong emotions that sabotage your plans? Are you desiring to grow and evolve?

I truly believe that this one life of ours is worth living fully, honestly and as free as possible from limiting patterns, beliefs and behaviours that we have inherited and that hold us back. I am convinced therapy can bring significant changes: greater acceptance of self and others, more freedom from destructive patterns, better relationships, and less anxiety; changes that are likely to have a long-term impact. I want to help my clients towards a life of personal meaning, of choice, creativity and truly responsible decision-making, until the time that they feel able to walk alone or with a well chosen life partner.

I offer a secure sanctuary to explore your emotions, your struggles and your deepest secrets.Together we will gently unpick your actions and reactions, your physical symptoms, your dreams and your emotional states so that you can understand yourself and your many aspects with compassion, and evolve a life that truly suits you. Our sessions will shed light on your deeply hidden blueprints and barriers and allow you to understand the roots of your behaviour. I will shelter you as you process your past hurts and angers, and free yourself to enjoy, perhaps for the first time, your life.

Under my calm, curious and experienced gaze you are free to bring whatever aspects of yourself that need expressiont. In a typical 50 minute session you will likely meander from present real life situations into past memories and pockets of frozen feelings.

I have worked with adults and children encountering significant life changes and transitions; also people wanting to repair themselves from traumas (such as lockdown or school bullying for example) who are now suffering from various problems. I am a qualified person-centred counsellor with a postgraduate certificate in art psychotherapy. I have a Doctorate and a Masters in expressive art. I work both face-to-face and online. I offer both traditional 'talk therapy' or we can work more 'expressively' if you wish.

I have worked in schools, prisons, drug and alcohol services and currently work for local services that help people with depression, low self-esteem, phobias, panic attacks and generalised anxiety. I am a professional member of the BACP and follow their guidelines and ethical framework.

Having been a professional artist and university lecturer for many years, I decided to seek therapy when my well-ordered life began to feel distinctly wrong. I suddenly realised that despite seeming to live the dream, I had in fact been living under a sort of self imposed cosh. Over time, I came to realise that my life was, in one sense, an elaborate and clever coping strategy devised by the lonely and untrusting child I once was. Therapy enabled me to break away from what was no longer working and make changes that served my adult needs (which includes considering the needs of others, ) as well as my spontaneous passions.

Please call or email me to set up an initial chat where we can discuss what you want to get out of therapy.

I offer a 30 minute free phone session to discuss your requirements. Please call or email me to set up this initial chat where we can discuss what you want to get out of therapy. If you wish to continue, we will then set up a second session, before arranging to meet weekly.