Debbie Cooley

I currently offer online and telephone sessions. 

Appointments are available during the day, with some evening availability. (If you are unsure whether my current times will work for you, you are very welcome to get in touch to explore this).

I offer a free initial 30 minute consultation to help you decide whether we feel like a good fit before committing to ongoing work. 

There is no pressure to begin therapy after this conversation. It is simply an opportunity to ask questions, share a little about what you are looking for, and see whether my way of working feels right for you.

Taking that first step into counselling is sometimes scary but I am here to support you every step of the way and make it a little less daunting.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, stuck, disconnected from yourself, or carrying experiences that feel too heavy to hold alone, you are not broken for needing support. Reaching out often comes after a long time of holding things together on your own, and it takes courage to take this first step.

My name is Debbie. I am an integrative psychotherapeutic counsellor offering trauma informed therapy for adults and young people. I work with people who are navigating trauma, loss and bereavement, addiction recovery, identity struggles, and the emotional patterns that can develop after painful life experiences.

My work is relational, compassionate, and grounded. I offer a space where you can explore what you are carrying without judgement and at your own pace. Rather than offering quick fixes, I walk alongside you as we make sense of your inner world, gently work with patterns that no longer serve you, and support reconnection with the parts of you that may have been lost, hidden, or silenced.

I believe therapy is most effective when it feels safe, human, and collaborative. 

You do not need to have the right words or know exactly what you want to work on. We discover that together.

I work integratively, which means I adapt the way I work to you as an individual rather than following a single model or approach. My practice is trauma informed and rooted in emotional safety, relational connection, and respect for your lived experience.

I support clients with experiences including trauma and complex trauma, bereavement and suicide loss, sexual abuse and violent assault, addiction and recovery, identity and self worth difficulties, and emotional regulation. Many of the people I work with have spent a long time coping on their own and are now seeking deeper understanding, healing, and a sense of reconnection with themselves.

Alongside relational dialogue, I may use creative and experiential methods when helpful, particularly where experiences feel difficult to put into words. The work is always led by your needs, your pace, and what feels most supportive for you.

I also bring lived experience into my work, which informs a grounded, compassionate approach that many clients describe as emotionally safe and deeply human. 

I am committed to ongoing professional development and supervision to ensure the work we do together is ethically sound, reflective, and held with care.

Following on from your initial introductory call, your first session is a gentle beginning. It is the start of a collaborative, human to human conversation in a space designed to feel safe, respectful, and supportive.

The first few sessions focus on creating safety, stability, and understanding. Together, we begin to shape the work in a way that feels supportive and aligned with what you need, with attention to grounding and stabilisation where this is helpful for your nervous system.

Our work is relational and collaborative. Building a therapeutic relationship based on trust is central to the process, and this develops naturally as we get to know one another. We move at your pace, always. There is no pressure to share anything you are not ready to talk about. You remain in control of what you choose to bring.

I work with deep respect for the realities of trauma and emotional pain. While every person’s experience is unique, I understand how overwhelming feelings such as anxiety, fear, anger, shame, and grief can be, and I will support you with care and sensitivity as you navigate your own path towards healing.

I am down to earth and easy to talk to, and you do not need to filter yourself or find the right words here. You are welcome to show up exactly as you are.