Carla Freeman

As of 10/06/25:

I currently have appointments available on Tuesdays, morning and afternoon, and Wednesday mornings.

I also have a small number of slots available at a reduced rate for trainees and benefits recipients.

Sometimes life feels heavy, or the path ahead hazy, in ways that are hard to explain. It can be difficult to find the right words, and then even harder to feel truly seen or understood. Counselling outdoors, through walk-and-talk sessions in nature, offers a gentle way to find your feet again, one step at a time. Walking side by side through serene woodland, we can make room for your thoughts, feelings, and experiences to unfold at your own pace.

Maybe you’re feeling anxious, stuck, or unsure how to move forward. Perhaps you’ve come through a toxic or damaging relationship, whether romantic, familial, friendship, or professional, and are left carrying shame or self-doubt that should never have been yours to carry.

Nature offers a calming, grounding presence, which some clients find preferable to the intensity of a face-to-face indoor setting. The gentle rhythm of walking, surrounded by trees and birdsong, can help thoughts untangle and words flow more freely. It’s a soothing backdrop for reflection, self-exploration, and healing.

Therapy isn't always easy; there are moments of discomfort, vulnerability, and real inner work. But that doesn’t mean it can’t also be enjoyable. Past clients have kindly reflected on my warm, gentle nature, my understanding, and my sense of humour (therapy doesn’t always have to be serious!). I believe in holding space with empathy and presence, while also offering lightness, perspective, and gentle challenge where it may help.

If you trust me to walk this journey with you, I will respect you as the expert of your own experience and meet you with care and respectful curiosity. If this style of counselling resonates with you, you’re warmly welcome to get in touch.

I chose to name my practice Neoma, meaning “new moon,” because I feel it reflects the quiet, nurturing nature of personal change that counselling can bring. The new moon might be easy to overlook, yet it signals a fresh beginning. In my experience, healing often begins in a similar way, with a quiet shift into a new phase, with a gentle turning inward, and a slow, steady return of hope.

While outdoor walk-and-talk therapy is at the heart of what I offer, I also provide indoor face-to-face sessions at Sheffield Wellness Centre on Abbeydale Road, as well as online via Zoom, so you can access therapy in whichever way feels most comfortable or practical for you.

Each session lasts 50 minutes and costs £50.

Whether we meet in the woods, in a room, or on a screen, I often draw on the grounding qualities of nature and mindfulness in our work together. I may share reflections through metaphor and symbolism, or gently introduce creative elements when words feel stuck or don’t quite capture what you’re feeling.

As a therapist, I use a person-centred approach, which means I walk alongside you, following the topics you choose to explore, supporting you to hold ownership over your own healing journey.

Therapy can be short-term or ongoing, with sessions weekly or fortnightly depending on what suits you best. 

Our initial session is an opportunity for us both to get a sense of how our work together might look, and for you to get a feel for whether I am the right therapist for you.

Counselling is most effective when you experience a positive connection with your therapist. For this reason, I offer the first session at a reduced rate of £25, to allow you to experience a no-pressure taster without a huge financial commitment.

In this initial 50 minutes together, we’ll talk about what’s brought you to counselling and the kind of support you’re looking for. I’ll ask you to complete a short questionnaire, and we’ll explore a few areas in more depth to help me get a clearer sense of your world and how I can best support you. You’re also very welcome to ask any questions about me and how I work.

There is absolutely no obligation for you to commit to further sessions unless you feel confident that is something you'd like to do. I'm more than happy for you to go away and think about it, and only ask that you get back to me within a week so that I can offer that space to somebody else if you don't wish to take it.

However you choose to proceed, I hope our time together offers you a moment of calm and the beginning of something healing and hopeful.