Andrea Ryan

If you’ve landed here, you’re probably overwhelmed, stressed and tired of not feeling good enough. Maybe you are exhausted from living with anxiety, unable to rest and be yourself with a brain that is in a constant state of overthinking and panic.

Perhaps you feel lost, have  spent years pleasing everyone else or have always had to be the strong one.  Sound true? 

I specialise in attachment, helping you to make sense of childhood and learned behaviours that you adopted to feel safer.

I have experience and interest in supporting people who have experienced/experiencing any form of domestic abuse, as well as those healing from trauma. 

Attachment theory underpins who we all are. You were not born “needy,” or “anxious,” or “people pleasing” or “mistrusting,” or “avoidant” - The way we are treated in childhood creates a blueprint for how we believe others will respond to us and how we must show up in the world to feel safe and loved. If you choose to work with me, we will slowly make sense of your past and how your early relationships are affecting your world today.

I regularly support people with anxiety, anger, relationship problems, grief, low self-esteem and lacking in confidence. I can help you take control of negative, anxious thoughts and difficult emotions, increase your self-worth and learn how to set healthy boundaries. If you want to reduce worry, anxiety and overwhelm, to feel stronger and more empowered, I can help you.

If you feel ready to begin your journey to a happier you, I'd love to be the one to help you.

What is therapy with me like?

I believe you are the expert in your own life, not me so I will not be telling you what to do, feel or think. Instead, I will help you unlock the answers.

Healing will start when you feel safe, seen, heard and accepted just as you are. There is no one size fits all in therapy because we are all different, unique and imperfect. We are not aiming to fix you because you are not broken, despite how you may feel right now. We are aiming to make sense of your world and help you feel good enough again.

My approach is always gentle, compassionate and inquisitive. I will be curious so I get to know you, your learned behaviours and how you respond to the world. You will receive a very warm and nurturing environment without judgement. There is nothing you can say to me that I will judge you for and that I probably haven’t heard already. I will ask questions and bring things into your awareness so you can decide if those actions still serve you well.

I will draw on my experiences and training in attachment and person-centred counselling, but I use many different therapeutic approaches depending on what fits you best.

I know how it feels to be the client, trying to piece myself back together. No matter what you bring into the room, you will always be accepted for who you are and I will meet you wherever you are so we can start figuring things out together.

Therapy can be serious and deep, yes, but it can also be warm, human, and real. There can be space for laughter, connection, and moments of lightness in sessions too. And if I do something you don’t like or agree with, I’d ask you to be honest with me and tell me about it. That will enable our therapeutic relationship to deepen and be more real.

It is normal to feel nervous when you come to your first counselling session.  To begin with  I will explain what I can and cannot do, get an understanding of what has brought you to counselling, and what you hope to achieve.  I will then start to get to know you, ask you questions, and challenge your thoughts so over time you become more aware of your thoughts, feelings and emotions.  They are your sessions and you are always in control. 

Throughout our sessions, I will help you gain clarity, control of your feelings, create stronger boundaries, emotional resilience, and a happier you. Reaching out for help takes courage but we will move at your pace, and I will never judge, criticise or shame you.

I can offer a free 15-minute introductory call or session so you can get a feel for me and whether you think I am the right person to support you. No pressure, just a chance to ask me anything you want to and see if I am right for you.

I hope to offer you a space to untangle, understand, and maybe even start to feel like yourself again.