Frances Barker

I have availability for online and outdoor counselling.

If you are feeling alone, anxious, overwhelmed, or wanting someone alongside you as you consider your identity, please do contact me.

Perhaps you are struggling with work or relationships, putting an exhausting level of thought into every interaction, or feeling stuck as you see the same patterns repeating themselves. Or do you find yourself caring for others and not yourself?

I support you, without judgement, to consider your patterns of relating, and the impact of previous family or relationship dynamics on who you are now. We can get to know your unique mind and it's interaction with the world. I will enable you to find your own path forward, encouraging you to listen to your own voice as I listen to you with genuine empathy.

We can consider who you are in the present moment and experiment; try out different ways of relating. I will be alongside you in our work together as we notice who you really are and where you want to be. It is fundamental to me to create a safe enough space for you in our work together so that you can to take on the challenge and hard work that therapy can be, to experience the reward of self-knowing and transformation. 

I have a particular interest in neurodivergence in therapy, and the Autistic experience in the world, and take a neuroaffirming approach. I work with GSRD (gender, sex, relationship diversity), LGBTQ+ people, including trans, gender non-confirming and non-binary experience. I have many years experience in working with parent-carers and understand the impact of being a carer.

I will meet you with authenticity in my own identity. I am proudly a queer, genderqueer, non-binary, autistic person, and am a feminist. I am a parent-carer of Disabled, neurodivergent adopted children.

I am motivated by social justice, and recognising systems of oppression; this will underpin my therapy work with you.

I love nature and animals. I am fascinated by the mysterious, unknowable nature of squids and octopi, I also love the homely furriness of cats, and have a family of four white cats. I have a love of words in all forms.

I work in-person outdoors in Bristol and online. I offer one hour, 60 minute, sessions. 

I work outdoors as I believe in the healing power of being outdoors and connecting with the natural world. It can bring a closer connection to the present moment, your intuition and bodily awareness. If you struggle with the intensity of being in a room, with eye contact, or think this different way of accessing therapy might be supportive for you please do get in touch I am happy to answer any questions about my outdoor work.

Training and experience- I am a qualified psychotherapeutic counsellor, I hold a Masters qualification from UWE, and am a registered member of BACP.

I have previously worked as a counsellor for Bristol Mind LGBTQ+ service, for Autistic Parents UK (supporting parents who are autistic themselves). In addition to my private practice I currently facilitate groups for Murmuration Community Therapy, for parents of Disabled and neurodivergent children.

Before training as a counsellor I worked in Student Wellbeing, in an adoption agency supporting families, and in roles supporting Disabled adults. I also have a background of activism relating to climate change, social justice and LGBTQ+ activism. 

Please contact me for an initial free call.