Ian Bellinger

I have flexible availability: please contact me to enquire

You may know exactly what's troubling you. Or you may just have a sense that something isn't right and not yet have the words for it.

I will listen to you with an open mind, seeking to understand how things are for you. Together, we can make some sense of it all and explore how you might want to move forward.

You will find me calm, kind and accepting of you.

I aim to be straightforward and conversational. I will listen carefully, ask questions when they seem useful, and try not to jump to conclusions.

I don't believe it is helpful to rush towards solutions before we have had time to understand what is going on. Sometimes there is more to a difficulty than first appears. Together, we can explore what is happening, what it means to you and what begins to make sense.

In turn, I hope that you will feel heard and understood, and feel able to explore things without judgement or pressure.

You do not need to know exactly where to begin. We can start with how things are now.

I work with teenagers, pre-teens (aged 11+), as well as adults of all different ages and backgrounds.

You may be feeling anxious, low, exhausted, overwhelmed or constantly on edge. You may be struggling with school or university, work pressure, relationships, family life, caring responsibilities, low confidence, overthinking, or simply finding that everyday life feels harder than it used to.

With young people, I know that talking does not always come easily, particularly at first. They do not need to arrive ready to talk openly about their feelings. Trust can take time, and we can begin wherever they are. What matters is building a relationship in which they feel listened to and taken seriously, without feeling judged or told what they ought to think.

If you are looking for a counsellor for your child, you do not have to know exactly what is troubling them before getting in touch. Before counselling begins, I will explain clearly how confidentiality, boundaries and communication with parents will work.

I also work with adults who may be dealing with problems such as low mood or depression, work pressure, burnout, relationship difficulties, caring responsibilities or a sense that life has become harder without knowing exactly why. You do not need to be good at talking about your feelings. We can begin with an ordinary conversation.

I have experience counselling carers and young carers, and I also work with neurodivergent people.

Before becoming a counsellor I worked as a solicitor in London and abroad, including in demanding professional environments. That gives me some understanding of pressure, responsibility and the expectations that can come with professional life. It also left me with a strong sense of professional responsibility and the importance of ethics, confidentiality and careful judgement.

I offer a free 15 introductory meeting online for you to decide whether you would like to work with me