Donna Ensum

I work flexibly in person, online or telephone, or indeed a combination of any of those elements.  Dependent on where you find yourself in terms of time and location,  each session can be decided upon as you book.  I offer sessions: Monday to Friday.  I will respond to email and mobile enquiries as soon as is possible for me.  

I offer an audio or video initial consultation, where you can get a sense of how I work, the type of person I am and it is a great opportunity to ask any questions you may have.  I would also be interested in hearing  your hopes and expectations of counselling together with what has bought you to make this enquiry.  I do not underestimate the first steps of entering counselling or indeed returning to counselling and I trust you will know what you are looking for and if we could be a good fit.   

In person I work with my clients in my private calm practice room which is within my home at SG13  with driveway parking. 

If however you feel you would prefer the comfort and privacy of your own chosen space  online or telephone sessions can work well for this.  I use google meet as a platform for online sessions, this is easily accessible, direct link from the session details that are sent to you in advance. 

I am a warm and empathic person centred counsellor and I offer an accepting therapeutic space where my aim is for you to feel valued, free from judgement and really listened to.  This space allows you the  opportunity to talk about whatever brings you into counselling, to explore your thoughts, feelings and your experiences with a hope of  gaining a greater understanding of who you really are and where you currently find yourself.  It is my belief that when we understand ourselves more deeply, we are better equipped to make decisions about our life or to find clarity in what might have gone before and the effect that may have on our day to day living. 

I work collaboratively with my clients, we are all uniquely different  and I work with curiosity, clarity and never assumption.  I care deeply that I really get to know what it is like for my clients to live in their world and to support them whilst they work through their emotions and thoughts.   

At different times we all need extra support and the space to untangle the threads of how we are feeling and how we move forward. Sometimes just knowing something isn't feeling right is a good starting point. I believe that the opportunities the counselling space and therapeutic relationship provide can be invaluable. Connection is empowering and can give us a sense of value and hope.  

My professional training and life experience allows me the privilege of working within areas of struggle, loss, grief, families, divorce/separation,  identity, relationships, expectation, changing life circumstances, anxiety, low mood, self worth, work difficulties  and loneliness and the general pressures of the world we live in. 

Unlike any other relationship you have, the therapeutic one has very few conditions attached to it, allowing you complete space to take up your space.  To really engage in what matters to you, what has or continues to hurt you.  A felt sense of connecting to who you are and where you want to be. 

I offer an initial 20 minute conversation, without charge, where you can get a sense of me and how I work, and we can discuss what has bought you towards counselling.  You may not know, you may be very unsure if it could be of benefit for you.  This is your time to ask anything you care to with absolutely no obligation to go any further.   

This will give us an opportunity to get to know each other a little and for you to establish whether I may be the type of counsellor you are looking for.   

I do not underestimate the strength in reaching out and I would want to feel as much as I can, that I am the right counsellor for you. Trust in the therapeutic relationship is an integral part of successful counselling and this would be our first connection. 

Should I feel  that you would be better supported elsewhere I will endeavour to signpost you to other practitioners. 

There is no commitment to a specific number of sessions. Our work together will be reviewed - you are at the centre of the process meaning our time is led by you.  I work with clients,  both short and long term.  

If you decided to begin counselling with me, I would email you my contract for your information and answer any questions you may have.  I adhere to the BACP's Ethical Practice  at all times which underpins the way I work ensuring best professional and caring practice.  

Our first session will be the same as all of our sessions.  Having had an intitial consultation, we will start wherever you wish to.  My belief  is aligned with that of the Person Centred approach:  that within all of us there is a tendency towards growth, towards maximising our potential.  Sometimes our growth is more about simply coping with the life we find ourselves in and at other times we are able to flourish more freely and there are many other variations within this.  Life can be messy and we as humans can be  complex. 

Whether you are meeting me in person, online or by telephone I will endeavour to connect with your thoughts, feelings and hold you steady whilst you navigate these.  Sometimes sessions can be enlightening, other times uncomfortable, we know that at our most uncomfortable we can often find change.  No one size fits all and I will work with what you bring into our sessions. My hope is that counselling can be a benefitting experience for you.