Amelia Francis

Hello, I’m Amelia, a person-centred counsellor offering online counselling to adults.

I believe there’s a real difference between being listened to and feeling understood. We can spend a lot of time explaining ourselves, managing other people’s expectations or trying to make sense of things without necessarily feeling that anyone quite gets it.

My approach to counselling is rooted in curiosity, empathy and genuine human connection. I’m interested in understanding your experience as you see it, rather than making assumptions about how you should feel or what you ought to do.

I won’t tell you how to live your life, offer solutions or insist on finding a positive in every difficult experience. Equally, counselling with me isn’t about sitting in silence while I nod along. I’ll be actively listening, reflecting, asking questions and exploring things with you, while respecting that you are the person who knows your own life best.

Alongside my training, I’ve gained experience providing counselling through Macmillan to people living with cancer and their family members. This has included supporting people through the emotional impact of illness, uncertainty, changes in relationships, anticipatory grief and the prospect of loss.

This experience has reinforced something I feel strongly about, difficult emotions don’t always need challenging, reframing or fixing. Sometimes our fears are understandable, our circumstances are genuinely difficult, and there isn’t an easy answer. I believe there is real value in having those experiences acknowledged and understood.

Whether we’re exploring anxiety, relationships, self-esteem, loss or something you’re struggling to put into words, my aim is to offer a relationship where you feel able to be honest, uncertain, frustrated or simply yourself, without having to worry about getting counselling ‘right’.

I offer individual, online counselling for adults, providing a confidential space to explore whatever has brought you to therapy.

You might be experiencing anxiety, struggling with your confidence or self-esteem, finding relationships difficult, or feeling overwhelmed by things happening in your life. Perhaps you recognise patterns in yourself that you’d like to understand better, or you’re finding it difficult to identify exactly what you’re feeling and why.

You don’t need to have a particular diagnosis, a significant life event or even a clear explanation of what’s wrong to come to counselling.

My practice is person-centred, which means our work is guided by you and what feels important to explore. Rather than following a prescribed programme or setting goals on your behalf, we’ll use our sessions to understand your experiences, feelings and the things that matter to you.

I can offer reflections, questions and different ways of considering what you’re experiencing, but I won’t assume that I know what is best for you.

I also recognise that understanding something doesn’t necessarily make it disappear. Sometimes our worries are grounded in very real circumstances, our relationships are genuinely complicated, or there simply isn’t an obvious answer. Counselling doesn’t have to be about making those realities seem smaller. It can be about understanding how you’re experiencing them, what they mean to you and how you might want to respond.

I offer a free 20 minute introductory consultation over the phone or via Zoom so that we can discuss what you’re looking for and whether working together feels right for you.

Before beginning counselling, I offer a free initial consultation. This gives us an opportunity to meet, talk briefly about what has brought you to counselling and consider whether I’m the right counsellor for you.

You’re welcome to ask questions about my approach, how sessions work or anything else you’d like to know before making a decision. There’s no obligation to continue.

If we decide to work together, our first full session will involve going through the counselling agreement, discussing confidentiality and its limits, and covering any practical arrangements.

I’ll also ask some questions to better understand your circumstances, what you’re hoping for from counselling and whether the support I offer is appropriate for your needs.

Beyond that, there isn’t a particular way you’re expected to begin.

Some people arrive knowing exactly what they want to talk about. Others have several things on their minds, aren’t sure where to start or find that what they intended to discuss isn’t what feels most important once the session begins.

All of that is fine.

I won’t expect you to share everything about yourself in the first session, and there’s no pressure to discuss anything before you’re comfortable doing so.

My intention is for us to begin building a therapeutic relationship where you feel able to speak openly, ask questions and have a say in how we work together.