Stephen Matthews

I will have availability from the w/c 27th May 2024 where I will be working on a Tuesday from 09.30 - 16.30. 

I will also be available on a Saturday morning: 08.00 - 12.30 (online sessions only)

Life is a journey and not a destination and with this, may come trials and tribulations that can affect you in many ways in your day to day life. For me, I have encountered a range of difficulties that include adverse childhood experiences, trauma, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, paternity fraud, and family breakdown.

Becoming a person centred counsellor has changed my perspective on life and inspired me to help others who may be suffering from their own difficult life challenges. One of the most important aspects of my recovery was the ability for someone to hear me which gave me the platform to explore and discover what I was holding onto, hindering my life experience during my dark and difficult times.

You are the most important person when we work together. The provision of a non-judgemental, empathetic, safe and secure environment can help you explore the thoughts and feelings you harbour deep inside and that may be restricting your enjoyment of life at this time. You have the ability to discover your potential even when, at times, you may forget your purpose which can be facilitated through us building a therapeutic relationship which will be based on trust, honesty and respect.

Are you feeling out of sorts, not sure which way you want to turn and feel lost, with nobody to talk to? You may have feelings you are not able to understand and find it difficult to communicate with your closest friends or family. This is how I understood myself to be over many years previous to becoming a counsellor, and I believe that my own experience of life can help others who are suffering at this time. The areas that I can potentially help with include trauma, anxiety, depression, bereavement, addictions, anger and life transitions. 

My approach to helping you is to provide the conditions that can help with therapeutic change. The most important aspect, for me, is to give you the time and space to delve deep into your thoughts and feelings where you can explore what you feel is troubling you the most. Without direction or guidance as to what you talk about, or what you decide to do, it provides a safe and confidential space to process these thoughts and feelings.  

Our first session could involve (if you feel able to) a short assessment to help us both understand where you are with your thoughts and feelings as you embark on this journey before we move into the therapeutic session.