Angela Blanchard

My usual working hours are Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8.30 am to 5.30 pm.  I also offer some evening appointments.  I can usually offer a first appointment within one to two weeks of your enquiry.  

PLEASE NOTE: I HAVE LIMITED AVAILABILITY FOR NEW CLIENTS

I offer face-to-face, telephone and Zoom video-call sessions.  For face-to-face sessions, my counselling venue is a self-contained room in the tranquil surroundings of my garden.  Whether working face-to-face, over the phone or on Zoom, I strive to create a safe, confidential space for you to talk, without distractions or interruptions.  As a person-centred counsellor, I see myself as a fellow traveller, a supportive and empowering companion to you if you are travelling a difficult path.  My core offer is to create a space where you feel heard and understood, as free as possible from fear or judgment, and where you feel accepted for who you are, as you are, a worthwhile individual in your own right, whatever journey you are on.  

What can you expect from therapy?  Whether you are feeling low, experiencing anxiety or panic attacks, coming to terms with loss or bereavement, including a relationship break-up, or some other difficulty, you may find it helpful to talk to someone outside of your family or friendship group, no matter how loving and supportive they are.

As you talk, I will be listening, paying attention to what you are saying, striving to understand how you experience the world, and reflecting back to you what I am hearing, without judgment.

Often, when clients have this dedicated space and time to talk openly, and when they feel truly heard, and seen, and understood, they find that they know the answers to their own questions, or find that they have the resources within themselves to manage the challenges that life brings them.

The first session is the beginning of your journey towards healing, but it will also be a little different to any other sessions.  I will usually start by asking you to complete a registration form, so that I can work with you safely and effectively.  I will also spend some time going through my working agreement with you; this makes the "ground rules" of therapy clear, so that you know what to expect.  After that, it will be over to you to tell me your story, and for us to start to work together on whatever you are bringing to therapy.

Clients often say that they find the first session very difficult, so it can be helpful, if possible, to allow yourself some time afterwards to restore yourself before going back to work or back to family life.  This is usually a good sign, though; it means that the healing work is already beginning!

My normal working hours are Monday, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8.30 am to 5.30 pm.  I also offer some evening appointments on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  I can usually offer a first appointment within one to two weeks of your enquiry.

PLEASE NOTE: I AM NOT CURRENTLY TAKING ANY NEW SUPERVISEES 

Who do I supervise?

I welcome enquiries from health professionals, social workers, teachers and other professionals, as well as practitioners working in a wide range of counselling and psychotherapy settings, in paid and voluntary roles.

What are my qualifications?

I have an MSc in Counselling Psychology (Keele) and I am an accredited member of the BACP.  I have a certificate of counselling and psychotherapy supervision practice and have undergone further training in supervising counsellors working with risk; I also have experience of offering supervision for those using counselling skills in a non-therapeutic role.

How do I practice?

My supervision practice has grown out of my person-centred counselling practice, so I aim to create the same accepting and empathic environment for supervisees as I do for clients. As a supervisor, I use Hawkins & Shohet's "7-eyed supervisor" model (1989/1996) to facilitate the supervisee's growth and development as a practitioner whilst keeping the focus on the work with the client.  

I offer a half-hour introductory session (at half my standard fee) so that we can meet, discuss your requirements, and get a feel for how we would work together; we would agree and sign the contract at the start of the next session.  If you prefer, however, we can have a phone consultation initially, so we would agree and sign the contract at the first face-to-face meeting.  The supervisory relationship is very important, so I fully understand the need to "shop around" and find someone who feels like the right fit for you.