Emma Tester

• I offer counselling in person at Highcliffe Counselling Rooms, as well as online and by telephone throughout the UK.

•  Online and telephone sessions provide flexibility, allowing you to access support from the comfort and privacy of your own home, fit counselling around your lifestyle, and remove barriers such as travel or mobility.

I am available Monday to Friday, 8:30 am – 6:00 pm

Hello, I’m Emma, the counsellor behind The Pea Project Counselling.

I am a qualified Humanistic Integrative counsellor with additional training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). I have six years’ experience as a counsellor and over 25 years’ experience within the NHS, supporting people through a wide range of life challenges. This has given me a deep understanding of how change, loss, and life pressures can affect emotional wellbeing.

I offer a warm, compassionate and non-judgemental space where you can feel safe to talk openly. My approach is tailored to you as an individual, combining a humanistic foundation with practical CBT tools where helpful.

My specialist areas of interest include grief and loss, anxiety, and low self-confidence. I work gently alongside you to help you make sense of your experiences, strengthen self-belief and feel more able to cope with life’s challenges.

Taking the first step can feel daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone. You are welcome to get in touch for an initial conversation to see if working together feels right for you.

The Pea Project Counselling was created as a gentle, nurturing space where growth can happen at your own pace. 

 Just like a pea needs the right conditions to grow, I believe we all need safety, understanding and compassion in order to flourish. 

The Pea Project is rooted in the belief that even small steps can lead to meaningful change. Whether you are feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or simply in need of space to think and breathe, counselling can offer time to pause, reflect and begin to grow in confidence and resilience.

Sessions are 50 minutes. Most clients start with weekly sessions, as this provides steady support and helps build trust. However, we can discuss whether weekly, fortnightly, or monthly sessions best suit your support needs, lifestyle, and budget. I work with both short-term and long-term clients, tailoring therapy to what feels right for you.

Your First Counselling Session

Your first session is a time for you to ask questions, share as much or as little as you feel comfortable, and explore your thoughts and feelings at your own pace. We can take breaks if you need to, and the session lasts 50 minutes.

We’ll begin by talking about what has brought you to counselling, what’s important to you, and what you hope to get from our work together. I’ll also explain my approach, the structure of sessions, and how we can work together to support your needs.

Often, clients feel a sense of relief after the first session, discovering that they are supported and not alone.