Counselling in Taunton
If you are looking for Counselling in Taunton or areas south of Taunton, I would like to introduce you to my practice, Counselling South West, based in Axminster. It may be equidistant from Taunton or you may feel happy to visit Axminster for counselling. I have clients who come from Taunton, Collumpton, Exeter, Exmouth and Bridport, as well as in the local area. Clients who travel to Axminster for counselling often use the opportunity to visit Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage Canteen before or after their appointment.
Welcome to Counselling South West
I offer professional and experienced counselling with twenty years’ experience. My practice is easy to find with parking outside on the road or in the area nearby, and is five minutes from the bus stop at the station, and five minutes from the centre of town. I offer a calm, comfortable and confidential environment where I hope you can feel relaxed and confident whether this is your first counselling experience or you have been through the process before. My clients say that despite feeling uneasy about what to expect at their first appointment, they quickly relaxed and were pleased to return for on-going sessions.
Welcome to Counselling South West
I offer professional and experienced counselling with twenty years’ experience. My practice is easy to find with parking outside on the road or in the area nearby, and is five minutes from the bus stop at the station, and five minutes from the centre of town. I offer a calm, comfortable and confidential environment where I hope you can feel relaxed and confident whether this is your first counselling experience or you have been through the process before. My clients say that despite feeling uneasy about what to expect at their first appointment, they quickly relaxed and were pleased to return for on-going sessions.
Welcome to Counselling South West
I have trained with and worked for Relate for twenty years, during which I have gained intensive experience working with couples and relationships. I also have experience in other areas, for example, bereavement, low self-esteem, anxiety, power and control and many other issues. I feel it is a privilege to work in a profession where I can help people turn their lives around. My counselling has benefitted from my training and experience, my own personal successes and failures and the therapeutic relationships I have built with my clients.
I still do a few hours counselling for Relate, but several years ago started my private practice where I can offer more flexibility, affordability and a central location for counselling in south Somerset, East Devon and West Dorset.
I am a member of BACP, on the Relate Register of Counsellors, have an LLB, and am trained in Education and Adult training. I run general courses for the public, CPDs for counsellors and relationship intervention programmes for prisoners.
What is counselling and how long does it last?
Counselling is a process of exploring a problem to gain understanding and insight so that appropriate changes can be made to improve the situation. This can take different times according to the problem being presented and the length of time it has been experienced. Couples can often work faster if both are committed to repairing the relationship, but other situations can take longer, especially if the problem is deep seated.
Counselling starts with an initial consultation during which I listen to the problem being presented and decide whether I can help and you decide whether you are happy to continue counselling with me. On-going counselling usually starts weekly and then reduces to fortnightly or monthly until clients feel they have sufficiently resolved the situation and have the tools to continue alone. Occasionally only one or two sessions are required if a client wants to gain clarity or help making decision. Also distance and time available may mean having more irregular or more widely spaced appointments. Clients are also welcome to come for a one-off session after counselling is complete if something arises they would like to discuss.
Client Testimonials
IT Manager
I would just like to say thanks for all your help. When I arrived at my first session with you I had almost given up and lost all hope of a recovery in my relationship. After speaking to you, you seemed to understand perfectly my situation and were able to provide me with some positives which I took away with me and was able to work on.
Company director
It is very difficult to put into words what positive effect on my life our sessions have had. The hardest step for anyone considering counselling is to make the appointment and arrive. However you made me feel extremely relaxed and comfortable from the very first minute we met. My partner also found you extremely easy to communicate with. After weeks of almost silence, she was able to open up and speak to you instantly which was absolutely amazing. Initially she was very wary of counselling and talking to a counsellor. She was happy to return for further sessions, which is testament in itself to your counselling approach and skills.
Marketing Manager
Anne’s support throughout the time when my marriage broke up has been crucial. I suffered depression following the marriage breakdown and extreme anxiety and stress as a result of a variety of other external factors. There were times when I couldn’t see how I was going to get through. Anne’s consistent, clear and sympathetic approach enabled me to see that there was light at the end of the tunnel and that I didn’t need to be a victim of the situation in which I found myself. I had a number of very difficult decisions to make and, through regularly talking with Anne, I was able to make these decisions with confidence, and be resolute enough to see them through.
IT Manager
I would just like to say thanks for all your help. When I arrived at my first session with you I had almost given up and lost all hope of a recovery in my relationship. After speaking to you, you seemed to understand perfectly my situation and were able to provide me with some positives which I took away with me and was able to work on.
Company director
It is very difficult to put into words what positive effect on my life our sessions have had. The hardest step for anyone considering counselling is to make the appointment and arrive. However you made me feel extremely relaxed and comfortable from the very first minute we met. My partner also found you extremely easy to communicate with. After weeks of almost silence, she was able to open up and speak to you instantly which was absolutely amazing. Initially she was very wary of counselling and talking to a counsellor. She was happy to return for further sessions, which is testament in itself to your counselling approach and skills.
Marketing Manager
Anne’s support throughout the time when my marriage broke up has been crucial. I suffered depression following the marriage breakdown and extreme anxiety and stress as a result of a variety of other external factors. There were times when I couldn’t see how I was going to get through. Anne’s consistent, clear and sympathetic approach enabled me to see that there was light at the end of the tunnel and that I didn’t need to be a victim of the situation in which I found myself. I had a number of very difficult decisions to make and, through regularly talking with Anne, I was able to make these decisions with confidence, and be resolute enough to see them through.
Guest
I cannot express enough gratitude for Anne’s exceptional counselling expertise. When I sought her help during a challenging period in my marriage, she guided us through individual and joint sessions with unparalleled skill and compassion. Anne had the ability to navigate through the complexities of our issues, especially in steering my husband towards understanding how his behaviour was upsetting me and the urgency of taking action. Beyond the initial concerns, Anne has been a consistent source of support, offering invaluable insights and empathy as I tackle various life struggles. Her depth of experience and keen understanding of human distress make her an invaluable ally on my journey. Anne’s warmth and genuine care shine through in every session, making me feel incredibly fortunate to have her in my corner. I wholeheartedly recommend Anne to anyone seeking profound and effective counselling support.
Artist
Counselling for anxiety, depression and negative thought patternsI went to Anne at a very dark and confusing time for me when my life was severely restricted by negative, unhelpful thinking processes. She both provided me with a safe, non-judgemental environment in which I could tell her my deepest thoughts and fears and helped me understand the way I think, providing me with tools and beneficial thought processes I needed to continue my recovery process on my own.
Builder
Your relaxed manner and understanding makes it extremely easy to express how one is feeling and I found the experience very rewarding. A real ‘life lesson’.
Retired
I would urge anyone who is considering counselling to contact you. I cannot recommend you highly enough.
Widower
Once again Anne, many thanks for your help and support. It’s been a difficult journey for me at times and without our sessions I dare not think what may have happened.
Solicitor
Thanks does not really convey my gratitude and appreciation for the help you have given me and my partner.
Vet
We just wanted to email you to let you know just how beneficial your sessions were for me and my husband. We were not in a good place when we first came to you but we both knew we really wanted to save our marriage. After 3 sessions we were in such a better place and 2 months later we have continued to build on your advice and things now are so much better than they have been in such a very long time. So thank you ever so much Anne …… your help was invaluable.
Teacher
Working with Anne has had a very significant and positive impact on me and, consequently, on my children. Life has not become perfect, but, with Anne’s support, I am well-equipped to deal with whatever is round the corner. I am now divorced, and that was done humanely, with dignity and without bitterness, as I initially hoped it could be. I have no doubt this would not have been achieved without Anne’s support and I will always be extremely grateful to her for this.
Accountant
I would thoroughly recommend Anne’s counselling services to anyone struggling to deal with difficult circumstances or challenging emotions.
Everything You need to know
What is counselling and how long does it last?
Counselling is a process of exploring a problem to gain understanding and insight so that appropriate changes can be made to improve the situation. This can take different times according to the problem being presented and the length of time it has been experienced. Couples can often work faster if both are committed to repairing the relationship, but other situations can take longer, especially if the problem is deep seated.
Counselling starts with an initial consultation during which I listen to the problem being presented and decide whether I can help and you decide whether you are happy to continue counselling with me. On-going counselling usually starts weekly and then reduces to fortnightly or monthly until clients feel they have sufficiently resolved the situation and have the tools to continue alone. Occasionally only one or two sessions are required if a client wants to gain clarity or help making decision. Also distance and time available may mean having more irregular or more widely spaced appointments. Clients are also welcome to come for a one-off session after counselling is complete if something arises they would like to discuss.