Counselling In West Bay
If you are looking for specialist couple and individual relationship counselling a short distance from Bridport and West Bay, then my practice, Counselling South West, is based only a twenty minute drive to the west in Axminster. The bustling market town of Bridport and surrounding beautiful Dorset countryside together with the harbour, beach and cliffs of West bay provide the dramatic background to Thomas Hardy’s ‘Far From the Madding Crowd’ and the TV series’ Broadchurch’. These are both dramatic, heart wrenching stories of death, love lost and rejection – if in different eras. These painful emotions are still felt as acutely today in our everyday lives as then, and if the wonderful scenery of the Jurassic Coast can’t restore your peace of mind or solve your problems alone, then counselling with me at my practice Counselling South West might help.
Welcome to Counselling South West
My counselling practice is in a convenient area of Axminster, twenty minutes from Bridport and West Bay by car. It is five minutes from the station and bus stop and also five minutes from the town centre, should you wish to visit Axminster’s shops or cafes before or after a counselling appointment. My counselling practice is calm, comfortable and confidential and there is parking outside on the road or anywhere nearby.
I hope to build a relaxed, therapeutic relationship with my clients which will enable a feeling of trust and security, and a non-judgmental atmosphere in which to explore problems which are presented. This will lead to an understanding of the situation and awareness of how issues have arisen, finally looking at ways to adjust behaviours and take the necessary steps for positive change.
About Me
I have been a practising counsellor for 30 years and feel privileged to be in this profession. Helping people get their lives back on track is very rewarding and my training, my counselling experience and my own life experiences, happy and sad, have contributed to the way I work as a counsellor. I trained with Relate and still do some counselling for them, but am able to offer affordable and more flexible counselling in a more central location in Axminster.
How long does counselling last?
The length of counselling varies according to the type of presenting problem. Couple counselling may be shorter if both partners are committed to improving the relationship as their response to issues are immediate and can be dealt with in the counselling room. Both partners get a chance to reflect on the other’s thoughts and feelings as well as their own, and decisions to take action can be agreed during the session. Individual personal counselling may take longer if issues are deep seated and it may be harder for the client to effect positive changes in long-term behaviour.
Sessions usually start weekly and when the acute stage is passed may change to fortnightly and then monthly until the client is ready to stop. This is when a client feels empowered to manage alone and has the skills to deal effectively with any issues arising. All clients are welcome to come back for a one-off session is something arises that 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.