Jennifer Astle

I currently have availability on weekday evenings and Saturday mornings.  However, from November I will also have full flexibility during the day/evening on Thursdays and Fridays, plus Saturday morning.

I am a qualified person-centred counsellor and a registered member of the BACP. I have experience in supporting clients with a range of personal and emotional difficulties including anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, confidence issues, bereavement and relationship concerns and difficulties.

 I believe that we all have the capacity for growth and change, even when things feel difficult. My approach is grounded in empathy, warmth and genuine understanding. I want you to feel heard, accepted and understood, without feeling that you have to hide how you're really feeling or have all the answers.

I believe you're the expert on your own life. My role isn't to tell you what to do, rather than doing this or offering ready-made solutions, I will work alongside you to understand your experiences, thoughts and feelings as we explore what's going on for you. We can take things at your pace, giving you the time and space to make sense of these, without pressure or judgement.

My approach is tailored to you, your circumstances and what you need to achieve from counselling. It's also warm, compassionate and non-judgemental as I aim to create a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship where you can be yourself and explore whatever feels important to you. Offering empathy, acceptance and a genuine, non-judgemental presence, allowing you time and space to explore what is happening for you.

It might be that you simply need somewhere to put into words what you have been carrying on your own. I understand that everyone's experience is different, and there is no "right" way to be in counselling. We can work together to find an approach that feels comfortable and meaningful for you. We'll simply start from wherever you are when you begin.

 Life can sometimes feel overwhelming, confusing or difficult to navigate. Perhaps you're struggling with anxiety, low mood, relationship difficulties or low self-esteem. Or maybe you can't quite put your finger on what's wrong, but you know something doesn't feel right.

When we work together,  you can expect our session to be a space where you don't have to pretend, perform or have all the answers.  You can talk about what feels difficult, confusing or painful, as well as the things you may find harder to put into words.

We will work at a pace that feels manageable for you.  Some sessions may involve exploring particular experiences or patterns, while other times you may simply need somewhere to pause, reflect and be heard.  I will stay alongside you without judgement, giving you the time and space to discover what feels important to you.

My role is not to tell you how to live your life, but to help you understand yourself more deeply and feel more able to make choices that are right for you.  I hope that our work together can give you a greater sense of self-awareness, confidence and trust in your own ability to navigate life.

I understand that reaching out for counselling can feel like a big step, so I can offer a free 15 minute telephone conversation before we begin.  This gives us the opportunity, to meet, albeit briefly, and for you to share a little about what has bought you to counselling, your previous experience of counselling (if any), and what you would like from therapy.

You can also ask me any questions and get a feel for me and my approach.  Most important, it gives you the opportunity to decide whether I feel like the right counsellor for you.

If you feel that you would like to work with me, I will send you the counselling agreement and relevant information to look through before arranging your first face-to-face session.  There is no pressure to make a decision during your initial conversation - it is simply a chance for us to see whether working together feels right for you.