Helen Bird

I am currently taking on new clients. 

My working days are Monday - Thursday. 

A session is 50 minutes 

Welcome to my profile.

There are many different and varied reasons people seek counselling. Sometimes we can mask how we really feel and get used to living a certain way. This can lead to feelings of anxiety, low mood/depression. Perhaps you are feeling unfulfilled or feeling you are surviving rather than thriving. We can protect others from our own emotions and pain resulting in feeling isolated, stuck, confused or lost.

Perhaps you have experienced difficulty in the past, suffered adversity or trauma resulting in painful and difficult to manage emotions. You may be currently going through change, transition, challenging life experiences or feeling stuck in a relationship.

I offer a confidential, non-judgmental safe space for you to explore whatever it is that brings you to therapy. You may not be able to fully vocalise what this is currently, that’s OK.

My hope for clients is that by engaging in therapy you can feel safe and supported in navigating and exploring life’s difficulties. Therapy gives you the time and space to explore how you really feel, gain a greater understanding of yourself and how you want to live, without judgement.

Feeling truly heard and accepted as you are, without conditions, can make this an easier process. Especially at a time of vulnerability or distress. Through counselling, individuals can gain clarity on their situation; past and present, think about change, acceptance and develop alternative ways of coping.   

I am a qualified and experienced counsellor. I have previously worked for the NHS, providing therapy to adults of all ages as well as in a Higher Education University setting where I specialised in providing short-term therapy to young adults.

I am an accredited member of the BACP. This means you can be assured I have undertaken training to a specific level and practice according to high ethical standards, professionalism, and competence.

Taking the first steps in counselling can be intimidating and overwhelming. I endeavour to work at your pace. It is important to me that you feel safe at what might be a vulnerable time in your life. My role is to help facilitate your exploration and work collaboratively with you to meet your needs in therapy.

I qualified with a diploma in Therapeutic Counselling from Leeds Beckett University ten years ago and also graduated from University of Leicester where I studied Psychology. 

I regularly undertake Continuous Personal Development to ensure I am offering a high quality of support to clients.

I have up to date training in safeguarding and I am trained in offering telephone counselling.

I offer a free 15-20 minute, no obligation introductory telephone call prior to booking a first session. 

This is an opportunity for us to talk about what you may need/want from counselling and to check out whether my approach to working matches your needs. It can also be really helpful for you to gauge how it feels to speak with me before committing to sessions.