Nell Harvey

I see clients ONLINE and in-person just outside CHIPPING NORTON, Oxfordshire. My therapy room is conveniently situated (with off-street parking) right outside the door. I am in striking distance of Banbury, Bloxham, Stow-on-the-Wold, Shipston-on-Stour, Woodstock, Charlbury and the surrounding areas.

I work online with clients from all over the UK. 

Availability changes so please do contact me if you would like to know what is currently possible.

Counselling with me is like a deeply focussed, supportive conversation allowing you to explore your innermost feelings, thoughts and concerns. I combine counselling theory with plenty of life experience and intuition, accompanying you on what can initially seem a daunting journey. Even six sessions can lead to meaningful insight and lasting change. I offer weekly or fortnightly sessions, long-term or short-term.

I can help with:

Repeated unsatisfactory life patterns

Unwanted behaviours/feelings

Relationship difficulties

Change of all sorts (professional, personal, health, lifestyle, life-stage).

Loss/bereavement. 

My areas of expertise include:

- anxiety/generalised anxiety disorder

- stress (I am interested in how emotional overwhelm can translate into physical symptoms and even illness).

- depression

- relationship or life changes (such as bereavement, work, illness, parenting, empty nest, menopause, ADHD).

Are you in safe hands? Yes, I am registered with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy and hold a current DBS certificate. I work in a trauma informed way. In addition to my private practice I also work for Cotswold Counselling, a registered charity offering counselling in the Cirencester area. 

I understand how difficult starting counselling is. I take trouble to explore what you hope to gain. Typically clients soon start to make the link between past experiences, early patterns of relating and present-day difficulties. Our sessions will help build self-awareness, a sense of safety and healthier ways of relating to yourself and others.

How do you decide on a particular counsellor? It is the relationship you have with your counsellor that largely predicts a successful outcome. Our 'intro call' gives you an opportunity to check that you feel comfortable and to ask any questions. Whether you are looking for help overcoming a major life hurdle or just some 'emotional maintenance', my approach is personal,  respectful and non-judgemental.

My integrative background is in humanistic non-directive therapies (Person-Centred, Gestalt, Transactional Analysis). 'Non-directive' does not mean passive and my role as an active 'attuned' presence helps you notice what might be outside of your awareness. 

My style of counselling is like a particularly focussed kind of conversation with the emphasis being on your experience, your autonomy and an awareness of the 'here and now' (your current feelings). It is by being truly heard in a non-judgemental, authentic and empathetic way that the counselling process works.

This approach encourages autonomy, self-awareness and growth. Together we explore what it is like to be you, your style of relating to others (and yourself) and your perception of personal responsibility. 

Initially, we would have a short telephone call (15-20 minutes) so that you can tell me a bit about what brings you to counselling, ask any questions and so that you can get a feel for me. 

Sessions last 50 minutes and, for the most part, are held weekly. There is no fixed number of sessions although I recommend clients try and attend 6 in order to start to see meaningful change. 

Payment is taken at the time of booking to secure the first session slot and each subsequent session can then be paid for separately. There is no charge for advance cancellation (48 hours). 

Our first session would involve 5-10 minutes going over terms and conditions such as confidentiality, cancellations procedures, means of contacting each other.

We would then begin to explore what has brought you to counselling and what you hope to achieve/feel different about. You may not be sure at this stage and that is fine. You may just wish to 'off-load' and this is the perfect opportunity. 

Together, we will start to work out what you require from counselling, your needs and expectations. This is all done in a gentle, conversational way. 

No preparation is necessary for the first session and there is nothing to be anxious about.