Shannon Spencer

Life can feel really overwhelming at times, can’t it? We all have moments where our thoughts get tangled, our emotions feel heavy, and we just don’t feel like ourselves. When that happens, having someone to talk to — someone who genuinely listens — can make such a difference. But finding that person isn’t always easy. Talking to friends or family might feel awkward, or maybe you don’t feel there’s anyone you can truly open up to.

If that’s where you are right now, you’re welcome here. I offer a calm, confidential space where you can take your time, breathe, and explore whatever’s going on for you. No pressure, no judgement — just support, understanding, and a chance to make sense of things at your own pace.

My approach is humanistic integrative counselling, which basically means I don’t believe in a one size fits all way of working. I draw from different therapeutic models so I can tailor the work to you — your personality, your needs, your pace. Sometimes we talk things through, sometimes we use creative-based techniques if that feels right. You don’t need to be “creative” or “artistic” at all; it’s simply another way of reaching feelings or memories that can be hard to put into words.

For adults — especially those who are neurodivergent or exploring it

I have both professional and personal experience around neurodiversity, and I understand how overwhelming it can feel when the world seems too loud, too fast, or simply not built with your way of thinking in mind. That sense of not quite fitting, feeling “too much” or “not enough”, or constantly trying to keep up — these are experiences I genuinely recognise.

Whether you’re navigating masking, burnout, emotional intensity, sensory overload, or the pressure to appear “fine” when inside you’re anything but, you’ll be met with patience, warmth, and someone who understands the deeper layers of these experiences.

Whether you’re diagnosed, self-identifying, or just curious, you’ll be supported in a way that honours who you are, not who you’ve been expected to be.

For parents — supporting a neurodivergent or struggling child

Parenting can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also feel confusing, exhausting, and lonely at times — especially if your child is neurodivergent or finding life difficult. You might be trying to understand their behaviour, support their emotions, or navigate school pressures, assessments, or the feeling that your child just isn’t being fully understood by others.

I’ve worked with many children and young people, and I know how important it is for them to feel safe, accepted, and free to express themselves in their own way. I also know how important it is for you to feel supported too. You’re not expected to have all the answers — you’re human, and you’re doing your best.

In our work together, I can help your child explore their feelings, build confidence, and understand themselves better, and if you need space to talk things through as a parent — the worries, the guilt, the “am I doing this right?” moments — that’s welcome too.

Who I work with

I support children, young people, and adults with a wide range of experiences, including:

• low self-esteem

• anxiety

• grief and bereavement

• depression

• identity questions

• trauma and abuse

• addiction

• neurodiversity and the challenges that can come with it

I offer both short- and long term counselling, either face to face or via video call, depending on what suits you best.

Reaching out for support takes courage, so thank you for taking the time to read this. If you feel I might be someone you or your child would like to talk to, you’re very welcome to get in touch by phone or email. I also accept insurance payments from AXA, AVIVA and BUPA

Sometimes we all experience days where our thoughts and feelings start to weigh heavily on us emotionally. These challenges can become more of a struggle than normal and as a result, we don’t feel quite like ourselves. Having the right person to talk to, voice your concerns, can be extremely helpful.

However, for one reason or another, it might be hard to find the right person. Talking to friends or loved ones might feel awkward. or it might feel like there isn’t anyone around that you can talk to or confide in.

I can offer a safe, supportive, confidential, and relaxing space to allow you to work through your thoughts and feelings and to explore your choices at your own pace. Supporting you to gain clarity regarding your current situation, therefore developing your ability to see it from a different perspective and the options that may be available to you. 

My approach is humanistic integrative counselling, this means that I like to use a variety of therapeutic models to support clients. This enables me to deliver an individual, tailored approach to suit you. By calling on both talking therapy and creative-base skills to help you to explore your experiences. I find that creative-based therapy skills support clients to reach some of those emotions tied to memories or experiences that they may have found hard to put into words more easily. There is no need to be artistic to benefit from this way of working if indeed you choose to work this way.

I can offer both short and long term face to face, video calls counselling sessions, with the support, understanding and empathy you need to work towards your own personal goals and any other aspirations you are struggling to achieve.

I have experience working with a variety of clients, including children, young people and adults; providing support with a range of issues such as low self-esteem, anxiety, loss, grief bereavement, depression, relationship issues, neurodiversity, identity issues, abuse and addiction.

I understand that it takes courage to make those first important steps. So, thank you for taking the time to read my profile. If you feel that it would be beneficial to speak to me, please contact me by phone or email. 

I also accept insurance provider payments from, AXA, AVIVA and BUPA 

As a qualified Supervisor, I offer integrative individual and group supervision that reflects the heart of my therapeutic approach: collaborative, reflective, and grounded in care. Whether you're working with children, young people, or adults, I aim to create a safe, non-judgmental space where you can explore your client work, deepen your clinical insight, and grow in confidence and self-awareness.

Supervision with me is not just about reviewing interventions—it's about nurturing your internal supervisor, supporting your wellbeing, and helping you stay connected to your values as a practitioner. I draw on the following supervision models, IDM, Hawkins, Shohet & Mc Mahon and the Seven-Eyed to guide our work together, offering a rich and flexible structure for reflection.

I hold a strong commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and work sensitively with issues of race, culture, faith, identity, and inequality. My supervision is inclusive and affirming, and I welcome supervisees from all backgrounds and modalities.

My Experience

Since qualifying, I’ve worked across a range of settings including private practice, addiction services, school counselling, domestic violence support, and neurodiversity-affirmative mental health. These experiences have shaped a supervision style that is responsive, ethically grounded, and attuned to therapeutic work.

In addition to my private practice, I supervise both qualified and trainee counsellors across various organisations. I currently hold Clinical Supervisor roles within a domestic violence centre and a school counselling service, supporting practitioners in emotionally demanding and complex environments.

Sessions

I offer online supervision sessions via Zoom or phone  and F2F throughout the week.