Debra Sowter

I currently have some availability for face to face sessions in Rochester and for online counselling on Zoom.  I also offer Walk & Talk therapy.  

I have some weekday morning availability and some evening sessions available.  

I understand how daunting it can be in taking your first step to begin counselling and making that phone call or email if this is the first time you've come to counselling.  

As your Counsellor, I provide a safe, non-judgemental and confidential space for you to explore your thoughts and feelings where you can be seen and heard and accepted in your own uniqueness.  I work in a person-centred way which means you can bring whatever you want to talk about to each session and I walk beside you as we work together exploring your potential in our therapeutic relationship, encouraging growth and working towards developing your self-awareness.  

I offer different ways of working with Expressive Arts Therapies if you find it difficult to find the words to express how you're feeling sometimes and I've found this can be helpful for some Clients who may feel a "bit stuck".  

If you're finding it difficult at the moment with dealing with any struggles in your life such as self-esteem, grief, loss, anxiety, depression, relationship problems/breakdowns, work-related issues, domestic abuse (including emotional and psychological abuse), self harming and suicidal thoughts,  these are some of the things you may want to explore and talk about in our work together perhaps?

In our counselling sessions I will sit alongside you, listening compassionately, without judgement, whilst you talk about whatever it is you want to talk about, giving you a safe and confidential space, going at your pace, as and when you're ready to and perhaps you may want to explore a bit deeper and that would entirely be your choice.  

Counselling may help you find out more about yourself and explore and understand some of your behavioural patterns which,  in turn, can perhaps help you with growth and deeper understanding.  

I have counselled in a domestic abuse agency, working with victims of domestic abuse and those who have experienced childhood trauma/abuse. I counsel in educational settings, working with adults and children, and in my Private Practice I offer a holistic approach to counselling providing breath-work, meditation, voice/sound therapies and expressive arts therapies helping towards your healing in a gentle, calm and supported way.  

I recommend we have a 20 minute initial zoom talk which is free of charge so we can find out if we would like to work together.  

Our first session would be an assessment session where I can find out more about you, your history and what your needs and goals are for our therapeutic work together.  Our sessions are for 50 minutes and can be weekly or bi-weekly.