Helen Ard

I currently have some availability and can offer daytime or early evening sessions on certain days. Please contact me by email if you would like to discuss this further. I can offer concessionary rates for low-income clients, subject to availability and something to evidence your financial situation.

It has been an extremely challenging time for many over the last few years, and I am noticing that the ripple effects of this on people's mental well-being are far-reaching and often very difficult to define. Many of us are facing great challenges, and counselling can be an opportunity to process and reflect on our experiences, and work on areas of 'stuckness', grief, loss and fear.

I can offer a calm and welcoming space, online or in-person. I understand that sessions over Zoom, from the comfort of your own home are something that many feel more relaxed doing now, but I also offer face-to-face sessions at The Wellness Rooms in Honour Oak Park, and The Artemis Clinic in West Wickham subject to availability. My training is Person-Centred so I work on the Rogerian belief that you, my client, are the expert and it is my role to facilitate you navigating your own path, and support you to work out what you need, with acceptance of your unique experience and without judgement. 

Outdoors therapy offers a chance to be out in the fresh air, in one of the wonderful green parks I have local to me, where we can explore whatever is going on for you in a wide-open space. We can find a space that suits us both.

I am happy to answer any questions you might have about the type of therapy that's best for you. 

I have a Higher Professional Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling and Psychotherapy and I am registered with ACTO (Association for Counselling and Online Therapy) and a member of the BACP. I have a diploma in working with alcohol and addiction and training in Walk and Talk therapy.

I am also trained to work with children and adolescents, and I have 10+ years' experience of working in the community with Care Leavers and young families with complex needs, and with asylum seekers and refugees. For the last 5 years, I have been school counsellor in a girls' secondary school, helping students to understand and value neurodiversity and sexual identity, and supporting them to navigate the difficulties that they are facing as young people growing up in South East London. I am DBS checked and am up-to-date with safeguarding training.  

I am interested in attachment styles - how that affects us in adulthood, and in neurodiversity, and have undertaken further study in these areas. 

I offer telephone, online and in-person therapy, and outdoor therapy in Crystal Palace Park, Dulwich Park, Blythe Hill Fields, Hilly Fields, Beckenham Place Park and Peckham Rye Park, Sydenham Woods and other locations local to me.

I offer a free telephone consultation firstly. I don't expect you to make a commitment after the first session. This would be a chance for you to see whether I am the right person for you and for me to find out about what you want from therapy. Following this we would do an initial Zoom session before starting with the therapy of your choice.