Carrie Helman

I currently have some availability within my Practice.  I work 9-5pm every day and up to 8pm three evenings.

I don't work at weekends.

Bookings can be made via my Website.

I'm Carrie, an experienced General & Ostomy Psychotherapist. I previously worked in the NHS within the Gastro-Colorectal field and now see clients with a variety of different issues privately. I am affiliated with the Internal Pouch & Ileostomy Association and am regularly invited to share therapeutic insights as a guest speaker at conferences and have been interviewed on podcasts exploring the psychological impacts of bowel disease, stoma surgery, altered body image and chronic illness management.

Therapy with me isn't just sitting back while you talk. We work as a team. I bring a grounded, practical approach, combining traditional talking therapy with creative exercises when talking alone feels exhausting or stuck. We won't just look at your thoughts. We'll move at a pace that feels safe for your nervous system. My aim is never to push you into overwhelming emotions. I bring genuine human presence into the room with warmth, authenticity and down-to-earth conversation.

Sometimes there's a worry that therapy is going to be 50 minutes of non-stop heaviness, crying or digging up painful things every single week but that’s not how I work. Actually, therapy is about making room for your whole human experience, and that includes warmth, light-heartedness and sometimes even laughter. It gives your nervous system a break, helps you catch your breath, releases pressure and reminds us we’re human!

Some of the issues I work with:

Gastro-Colorectal & Surgery: IBD, ostomies, cancer, pre/post-surgery recovery, and intimacy shifts.

Trauma & Identity: Abuse, bullying, shame, body image, and gender dysphoria.

Anxiety & Loss: Chronic worry, self-esteem, isolation, bereavement, and life transitions.

I offer a brief, informal initial chat on the phone so we can see if we're a good fit (no pressure and no obligation).

You've taken the first step that led you here, so let me help you on the rest of your journey.

Finding the right therapist can feel overwhelming, but entering therapy shouldn’t feel intimidating. My practice is built on genuine human connection, warmth and down-to-earth conversation.

Here, therapy is more than just sitting back and talking through your week - it’s an active, compassionate collaboration. I offer a quiet, grounded space where you can slow down, take stock and look beneath the surface at what’s really keeping you stuck.

Whether you're navigating complex life challenges, working through relationship dynamics or simply trying to understand yourself better, you won't get rigid clinical distance here. You’ll get a reflective, supportive partner who offers honest feedback, creative pathways for expression when talking feels exhausting and a dedicated space where you can safely let down your guard.

In a world that constantly demands your attention, productivity, and performance, our 50 minutes is fundamentally different. It is a rare, deliberate pause. A protected sanctuary where the outside noise quietens down, expectations drop away and you don’t have to hold everything together. Here, you are allowed to simply exist, unpack at your own pace and finally hear yourself think.

The first session is simply a quiet, low-pressure space for us to get to know one another and see if we feel like a good fit. There's no expectation for you to "perform" or dive straight into heavy topics before you're ready.

We’ll go at your pace. We’ll talk about what brings you to therapy right now, what you hope to get out of our time together and any questions you have for me.

I'll ask a few questions to understand your background and current life, but you are always in control of what you choose to share.

We’ll briefly cover practical details (like scheduling and boundaries) and discuss what ways of working feel most comfortable for you, whether that’s traditional conversation, visual exercises or body-awareness techniques.

It’s an opportunity for you to experience how I work and see if my approach feels like the right match for you before making any long-term commitment.

By the end of the 50 minutes, we’ll decide together if continuing feels like the right next step for you - with no pressure.