Zoe Stephens

**I CURRENTLY HAVE NO AVAILABILITY BUT I AM OPERATING A WAITING LIST. PLEASE ONLY CONTACT ME IF YOU WISH YOUR NAME TO BE PLACED ON THIS LIST. MANY THANKS**

I offer a free initial consultation via Teams which is an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have.

A block of six sessions may be paid in advance with a reduction of 10% being given. No refund is given if the six sessions are not taken.

Session time/day can be flexible with no need to have the same day/time each week but regular slots also available to suit your preference.

I have a limited number of concessionary places available as I recognise that the rise in the cost of living and circumstances beyond our control can impact all of us at any given time and I try to be as accommodating as possible to ensure affordability where I reasonably can.

As an experienced Integrative therapist and Trauma Specialist, competent in working with both adults and young people, I offer therapy both in-person, online and outdoors. By providing space to explore, I can help you change the way you experience the world. This may be through the use of grounding/stabilisation techniques; the use of creative materials to aid you in having a more interactive/tangible way of working through your current difficulties or simply walking with you (either physically or metaphorically) as you venture into those places you may fear to tread otherwise.

One question I believe we all ask ourselves at one time or another throughout our lives is "who am I?" and I am no different. That question for me often changed to one such as "what am I doing here?" or "why do bad things always happen to me?" As humans, this is one element that binds us all together and I wonder which question it is that you find yourself asking at the moment? Whatever it is, I am here to explore it with you in a space that I hope you will come to know as being one that is free from judgement and where it is OK to not have all the answers.

Aside from my private practise, I work as a counsellor in NHS settings, sit at board level within the NHS Talking Therapies (IAPT) service. I also guest lecture at University of Manchester in Attachment and Trauma theory to PhD Counselling Psychology students. I have contributed to a number of academic texts, including 'Step In To Study Counselling and Psychotherapy: 4th edition (PCCS Books) and I'm one of the founders of the Association of Neurodivergent Therapists (ANDT). It is important to me that I have the opportunity to understand, and challenge where appropriate, the decisions made behind-the-scenes as well as actively playing a role in helping shape training standards that will impact therapists and clients alike, as my guiding principle has always been that we should leave the world a better place than it was when we first found it.

I offer both short and long term therapy. This can be carried out online, face-to-face or over the telephone allowing a higher degree of flexibility as some days may just feel a little too hard and, on those days, it may feel easier to speak online (with or without the camera on) or on the phone. Other days you may feel like a walk would be helpful whilst we discuss what is going on for you or perhaps you might want to sit and talk over a coffee. Whatever you choose, the options are all there for your comfort.

Whilst I specialise in working with a broad spectrum of trauma and trauma-related issues (including helping you to understand why trauma behaviour patterns are happening etc), I can also help with a wide range of other issues such as - bereavement/loss, attachment/abandonment issues, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, low self esteem, trust issues, work-related stress, LGBTQIA+ and neurodiversity.

In my work with the 5-18 age group, I'm experienced in meeting them where they're at in their development, both reinforcing their strengths and nurturing their weaknesses. This may be through play, art and creativity or by using technology, such as video games purposefully designed to aid them within a therapeutic setting. I'm also able to offer remote therapy via video-call, email or text which can be preferable to fit around school studies and their often busy social lives. The key element here is that the child/young person is inviting me into their world so it would always be wholly person-centred.

I am also fully trained and insured for Walk & Talk therapy (aged 18+ only) and this can be immensely positive and quite invigorating as it can bring us back to that place within us where we feel most creative, spontaneous and free. Activities such as sound bathing and mindful walking can really help us gain a sense of calm and relaxation in a spiritual way, centring ourselves so that we are ready to take on the expectations of the outside world again.

When we meet as therapist and client, it can be really daunting and you might feel as though you need to be "on your best behaviour" so to speak as you want to create a good first impression and don't want to overstep any boundaries. As a therapist, I feel the same. So on the first session, as well as signing the therapy agreement that sets out the boundaries and limitations of the therapy relationship you are entering into with me, one of the things I invite you to do is to create your own contract for me to sign. This is a place for you to share any personal boundaries you may have because, if I don't know about them, how can I ensure I don't overstep them? As well as this, I will provide you with a booklet explaining what grounding techniques are, why we do them and detailing a small number of them for you to try if you wish to in order to aid any anxiety that may be present between our sessions. 

I offer a free initial consultation via Teams which is an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have.

Experienced Integrative therapist and Trauma Specialist, competent in working with both adults and young people. I offer therapy in-person, online and outdoors. By providing space to explore, I can help you change the way you experience the world.

I recognise one size genuinely does not fit all and I will collaboratively help you reach your therapy goals. You are a human being after all, not just a number or a name on a piece of paper, and I hope you find the space I provide to be one that is both confidential and free from judgement; where you are able to decompress and make sense of things so you feel not only confident enough to recognise the changes you wish to make but also empowered to make them.

I offer both short and long term therapy. This can be carried out online, face-to-face or over the telephone allowing a higher degree of flexibility as some days may just feel a little too hard and, on those days, it may feel easier to speak online (with or without the camera on) or on the phone. Other days you may feel like a walk would be helpful whilst we discuss what is going on for you or perhaps you might want to sit and talk over a coffee. Whatever you choose, the options are all there for your comfort.

Whilst I specialise in working with a broad spectrum of trauma and trauma-related issues, I can also help with a wide range of other issues such as - bereavement/loss, attachment/abandonment issues, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, low self esteem, trust issues, work-related stress, LGBTQIA+ and neurodiversity.

In my work with the 5-18 age group, I'm experienced in meeting them where they're at in their development, both reinforcing their strengths and nurturing their weaknesses. This may be through play, art and creativity or by using technology, such as video games purposefully designed to aid them within a therapeutic setting. I'm also able to offer remote therapy via video-call, email or text which can be preferable to fit around school studies and their often busy social lives. The key element here is that the child/young person is inviting me into their world so it would always be wholly person-centred.

Aside from my private practise, I work as a counsellor in NHS settings, sit at board level within the NHS Talking Therapies (IAPT) service and guest lecture in Attachment and Trauma theory to PhD Counselling Psychology students. It's important to me I'm able to understand the decisions made behind-the-scenes as well as actively playing a role in helping shape training standards that will impact therapists and clients alike, as my guiding principle has always been that we should leave the world a better place than it was when we first found it.

When we meet as therapist and client, it can be really daunting and you might feel as though you need to be "on your best behaviour" so to speak as you want to create a good first impression and don't want to overstep any boundaries. As a therapist, I feel the same. So on the first session, as well as signing the therapy agreement that sets out the boundaries and limitations of the therapy relationship you are entering into with me, one of the things I invite you to do is to create your own contract for me to sign. This is a place for you to share any personal boundaries you may have because, if I don't know about them, how can I ensure I don't overstep them? As well as this, I will provide you with a booklet explaining what grounding techniques are, why we do them and detailing a small number of them for you to try if you wish to in order to aid any anxiety that may be present between our sessions.