Counselling in Lyme Regis

If you are looking for specialist couple and relationship counselling in Lyme Regis, Counselling South West is in Axminster, 15 minutes away.

The Cobb and Undercliff at Lyme Regis have provided the setting of famous books and films, notably Persuasion and The French Lieutenant’s Woman. These books are both about creating and loosing relationships, separations and misinterpretations, love, sadness, loss and passion.

Although times have changed and society has shifted in its attitude, these aspects of relationship are still initiating, driving and ending relationships today. Lyme Regis is perhaps just a more historic and dramatic landscape in which to experience them. If the romance and beauty of Lyme Regis aren’t of themselves enough to help you repair, or recover, or move on, then counselling with me, Anne Roberts, at Counselling South West may help.

About Me

I have been a counsellor for 30 years, during which I have gained experience in counselling most issues which arise from relationship problems, divorce, bereavement, assertiveness and low self – esteem, amongst many others. I trained for four years, three of which were with Relate. I still do a few hours for Relate, but offer affordable and flexible counselling at a central location for East Devon, South Somerset and West Dorset. I have run courses for the public, CPDs for counsellors and Relationship Intervention Programmes in prison. I am on the Relate Register of Counsellors, have a Law Degree, Counselling CERT, Cert ED, and am a qualified Adult Trainer.

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

Company director

Marketing Manager

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.

Length of counselling

Counselling is a process, individual to everybody, and will vary in the length of time it takes to complete the process. If you come to me for counselling in Axminster (5 miles from Lyme Regis), we will start with an initial consultation to assess whether I can help with your situation and whether you feel comfortable building a therapeutic relationship with me. We can then continue to explore and identify causes for your problems, gain insights into them and then consider behaviours that might be changed and actions taken to improve your situation.

Sessions tend to start weekly at first, then fortnightly after the acute stage has passed and then monthly or end the counselling if a client feels they have the confidence and tools to manage themselves. Clients are welcome to return for a one-off session after counselling has ended if a situation arises which they would like to discuss.