Abi Spence

There are many reasons why you might decide to begin therapy. We are living during a time of great uncertainty, change and responsibility. Sometimes this can feel too much.  It could be that you need a bit of space each week to give anxieties, worries or negative feelings an airing. Instead of  offering solutions, diagnosis or advice, I can provide a safe, non- judgemental space, separate from your family, community and social group. For 50 minutes, one day a week, you can be present and alive to your thoughts, feelings and sensations in a way that life can prevent us from being. 

My training and way of working is integrative, person-centred, relational and psychodynamic. However, if those words don't mean anything to you, it doesn't matter too much. A key aspect for us working together effectively is whether you feel I am someone you can visualise yourself meeting with once (or possibly twice) a week.

As well as the themes mentioned below, my areas of research  include ex-boarders and adult sibling relationships. As well as an MA in integrative psychotherapy, I am also currently working toward my AMBICA counselling qualification specialising in individuals and couples going through fertility treatment or experiencing fertility issues, from problems conceiving to involuntary childlessness.

Currently, I am working online via Zoom. I am also available for face-to-face, socially distanced counselling and therapy at The Balance Rooms in Pickering, North Yorkshire.

Please contact me for availability and fee information. 

Concessionary rates are available for job seekers and NHS employees.

If you think I might be the right therapist for you, please contact me via any means that feels comfortable: email, voicemail or text are all fine. We begin by discussing the details: what time each week would suit you, what format the sessions will be in (face to face, online or walking/talking in nature) and fees. The next step is for us to meet for an initial consultation. There will be a reduced fee for this meeting. During this, we will discuss what has brought you to this point and what you can expect from therapy. 

The first session is also about getting to know each other to see if we are a good fit.  There is no obligation to make any commitment beyond this session.

If you would like to proceed after this meeting, we will pick a day and time each week for the therapy to begin. I offer short term work (6-12 sessions) longer term (6 months to a year) or without a fixed time for the therapy to come to an end.