Anwen Edwards

People come to counselling for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes there's a particular difficulty they want to work through; sometimes it's harder to explain. Perhaps something has changed, life feels overwhelming, or something just doesn't feel right. Whatever brings you to counselling, you don't have to have it all figured out before we begin.

I'm Anwen, a qualified counsellor and a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), offering counselling in Welsh and English. I know that talking about what's going on isn't always easy. You may have had counselling before, or this may be the first time you've considered it. Either way, I'd like you to feel able to talk openly, in your own way, knowing that I'll listen with empathy and without judgement.

Alongside my counselling work, I continue to teach music and lecture in music education at university. My 30 years' experience in education also includes working as a head of year, where supporting pupils' wellbeing was an important part of my work. I also volunteer as a counsellor in NHS Occupational Health, supporting people experiencing difficulties in their working lives.

Music has been a constant in my life. My training as a musician has influenced the way I listen, encouraging me to pay close attention and remain curious about what someone is expressing. I bring this into my counselling, with a genuine interest in understanding each person's experience.

There's a Welsh phrase that means a great deal to me: Mi gerddaf gyda thi – “I will walk with you.” For me, it captures the heart of counselling: walking alongside someone, being fully present, and listening with empathy as we explore what matters to them. It's about trying to understand your experience from your point of view, without making assumptions or judging you. I'm not there to tell you how to live your life, but to work with you as you make sense of your experiences and consider what might come next.

You might be dealing with anxiety, depression, stress at work or difficulties in your relationships. Perhaps you're facing loss, illness or a major life change. You may be used to keeping things going for everyone else, while finding it harder to manage how you're feeling yourself. Or perhaps you can't quite put your finger on what's wrong, but you know you need some time to think.

I work with adults who want to understand themselves better, work through difficult experiences or find a way forward when life feels overwhelming. You don't have to be in crisis, and you don't need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve.

I work in a person-centred and humanistic way, which means that I start with you: your experiences, your perspective and what matters to you. I aim to approach our conversations with empathy and an open mind, recognising that your experiences are your own. This is the foundation of my work, and I recognise that everyone is different. I’ll adapt our work to you and what you need, drawing on other therapeutic ideas and techniques where appropriate. We'll explore things together, at a pace that works for you.

I won't give you a list of instructions or pretend there is a simple answer to every problem. I'll listen, ask questions and sometimes offer a different perspective or gently challenge. We can explore patterns in your thoughts, feelings and relationships, including things you may not have considered before. You can tell me if I've misunderstood or if something doesn't feel helpful. The aim is for our conversations to help you develop a better understanding of yourself and find a way forward that feels right for you.

Whether this is your first experience of counselling or you've worked with a counsellor before, I'd like our conversations to be useful to you. You can bring the things you understand already, as well as the things that still leave you confused or uncertain.

Getting in touch with a counsellor can feel like a big step. You might be wondering what to say, whether your difficulties are serious enough, or how you'll know if you've found the right person.

I offer a free 10-minute introductory chat so that we can meet briefly online or by phone, introduce ourselves and see whether working together might be a good fit. It's an opportunity to ask a few questions and get a first impression of one another, with no obligation to continue.

If we decide to go ahead, our first session gives us more time to explore what's brought you to counselling and what you would like help with or gain from it. I'll explain how I work, including confidentiality and its limits, and you can ask me anything you're unsure about.

You don't need to tell me your whole story in one go or arrive with a clear plan. We can start with what's most important to you right now and take things at a pace that feels manageable. I'll listen and ask questions to help me understand your situation, rather than make assumptions about what you need.

The first session is also an opportunity for you to get a sense of me and decide whether you feel comfortable working with me. Finding the right counsellor matters, and it’s fine to have questions or uncertainties as you make that decision. You may not know straight away, and that's understandable.

You don't have to face everything alone. My hope is that, through our work together, you'll feel heard and understood as we explore what's happening for you, help you make sense of your experiences and find your own way forward at your own pace.