Availability:
I am on annual leave from Thursday 27th August to Sunday 6th September inclusive, and will respond to any inquiries the week commencing Monday 7th September.
Counselling & Psychotherapy in Cardiff
for Life Direction, Self-Esteem, & Relationships
Updated Available Appointment Hours: Cardiff, in-person and online, Monday and Tuesday 10am-6pm (final appointment finishing at 7pm) Online Only: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 6pm-7pm (final appointment finishing at 8pm)
I'm Rebecca, a counsellor and psychotherapist in Cardiff. I support clients in their 20s and 30s who are feeling lost in life, struggling with low self-esteem, or experiencing difficulties in their relationships. I work frequently with young men who are choosing therapy for the first time, or who are returning after previous experiences with counselling.
Feeling lost, overwhelmed and uncertain within the pressure to ‘have it all figured out’- in work, relationships, and life in general - can leave us feeling that we are not good enough, or that ‘there is something wrong’ with us. This can be a lonely and sometimes dark place to be.
Perhaps you feel like your life hasn’t taken the direction that you thought it would, and you’re not sure why. Maybe you feel overwhelmed at the idea of figuring out what that direction should even be.
Maybe you are questioning the roles you find yourself playing in life, have become disconnected from yourself, or feel stuck in old patterns, identities, and relationship dynamics that no longer serve or fulfil you.
Perhaps you know that you want to gain clarity about who you are and what you want in life, but aren’t sure where or how to start.
If this sounds like something you are going through, then we might be a good fit to work together in therapy.
Our counselling room
What will therapy sessions be like?
authentic connection and low-pressure conversation with a real person
support in a calm, private, and judgement-free space, always moving at your own pace
being with difficult or overwhelming thoughts & feelings in a safe way (there’s never an expectation to cry if you don’t want to, or for you to know exactly what you’re feeling)
an experience of being valued, seen and accepted for all that you are
therapy that is tailored to you as an individual, accounting for all your unique life experiences, background, and personality, that doesn't confine you to a box
gentle challenge, curiosity and sense of humour (when appropriate) as you learn more about yourself and what you want out of life.
How can counselling and therapy help?
a way of taking action
move forward and make changes in your life
space to be yourself and feel heard, without judgment or being told what you “should” do
somewhere to bring painful experiences & feelings you might not have shared before
figure out what is holding you back
improve relationships with others, understand a relationship that’s ended, or seek out a new one
treat yourself with more kindness and care
become better able to handle challenges as they occur throughout life.
What issues do I work with?
Finding your way in your 20s and 30s
Anxiety, Low mood and sadness
Uncertainty, self-doubt and feeling lost
Self-esteem, self-criticism and shame
Body image
Relationship difficulties, sexuality, and insecurities, fears or issues around sex and intimacy
Men’s counselling and mental health, including relationship to masculinity
FAQs
-
I find it more helpful to think of counselling as a way of ‘being’ rather than ‘doing’. There is no set of instructions or a checklist when it comes to talking therapy.
I work on the belief that whatever it is that we are experiencing at any time, is here to teach us not only something about ourselves, but is also an opportunity to reconnect to our true self.
I have found that only through returning to the Self are we then able to grow and connect meaningfully with others.
As an integrative-relational therapist, I draw on different modalities of counselling as they best fit you, as an individual client, and your circumstances. In a session, this might include using psychodynamic theory to explore your earlier experiences, or the person-centred approach to explore your feelings in the present moment.
-
If you would like to work with me as your counsellor, or would just like to speak and see if I’m the right fit for what you’re looking for, the next step would be to send me a message via the ‘Contact’ page. I’ll respond with an invitation to book a free, 20-30 minute introductory Zoom call , where you can tell me a little more about what brings you to seek counselling. In the call, you can ask any questions, and there’s no obligation to make a decision or commit to counselling sessions at all.
-
The fee for each counselling session is £65, and is paid on the day of the session.
-
Fees are payable on the day of the session, via direct bank transfer.
Please note that I operate a 48-hour cancellation policy, with any cancellation fewer than 48 hours notice incurring the full session fee. (If I need to cancel the session, you won’t be charged).
-
The first session is 60 minutes, which gives us some extra time to complete the intake and assessment form together. With your consent, (detailed in my GDPR and Privacy Notice, and the Counselling Agreement) we’ll go through your contact and emergency contact information, brief medical and counselling /therapy history (as relevant), and a brief risk assessment. We’ll also chat a bit about why you are coming to therapy, and what changes you would like to make.
The assessment is not a test or exam by any means! It’s a standard part of ethical practice that helps me to find out more about you, your counselling needs, and how I can best and safely support you in our work together.
-
This is up to you. How long we work together depends on many individual factors, including how much time you can commit to therapy, and how 'deep' into the work you want or feel ready to go.
We will discuss this during the assessment session.
Some clients find the help they need in a shorter period of time; others need longer to work through more complex issues that may have originated in childhood.
Counselling therapy does, however, require a level of commitment and time investment into the process: it is not a quick fix.
In general, it takes between 10-20 sessions, or between 2-6 months for change to take place.
-
We have access to a ground floor counselling room. The office in Cardiff has a downstairs toilet and a step at the front door.
If you have any additional accessibility needs or considerations, please let me know so that we can make counselling a comfortable experience for you.
Appointment Types and Fees
-
If, after a free introduction session you decide that you would like to work with me, the first appointment is the assessment session. It’s not a test of any kind - it’s an opportunity for us to learn more about what brings you to therapy and the changes you hope to make. We can speak about how long you might see yourself coming to counselling for, and whether you would like to attend in person or online.
It also involves a formal risk assessment, emergency contact details, and any other information you feel is necessary for me to know .
-
In-person sessions take place in the counselling room in central Cardiff. You can choose to attend weekly or every-other week, depending on your needs, and we’ll generally book the same time and day each week.
I offer short term and long term therapy, depending on what you are looking to work on. If you can, I would recommend coming weekly for the first 6-8 sessions, as it helps to establish the therapeutic relationship and builds momentum as we get into the issues you would like to talk about.
In general, clients tend to see change from between 8 - 20 sessions, or anywhere from 2 to 6 months.
-
Working online is a great option if you need flexibility around your work day, if travel / commuting is an issue, or if you live outside of Cardiff. We can also do a combination of in-person and online appointments.
Online appointments take place over Zoom.
I offer online appointments from 1pm until 6pm (finishing at 7pm) on Mondays and Tuesdays, and from 6pm to 7pm (finishing in at 8pm) Thursday-Friday.
-
Integrative Therapy
Therapy that’s not a one-size-fits-all, but unique to you, your needs, and circumstances.
This can include psychodynamic theory to explore your early experiences and where you have come from, person-centred approaches in the here-and-now, and existential exploration of where you would like to go.
-
Relational Focus
The therapeutic relationship is central to positive change and self-awareness. Our work focuses on building a relationship of trust, openness, and safety, where you can be seen, heard, and valued for all that you are.
Our therapeutic relationship will also help us to notice patterns of relating to others that might be present in your life, but no longer serving you.
-
Existential Issues
Who are you, and where is your place in life? My approach to therapy is existentially based, and offers the opportunity to gently explore the big questions in life, without judgement or pressure. This often includes exploring identity, direction, uncertainty, relationships, purpose, and finding meaning.
-
Culture, Gender, Sexuality, Disability
Who we are, and the challenges we face in life, do not exist in a vacuum. The circumstances in which we live, our unique experiences of life, and our individuality are all important in understanding ourselves, our pain, and what brings us joy.
Therapy is a space where your individuality is valued, and all the parts of you are welcome.
Commitment to Ethical Practice
Where possible, I make my counselling service accessible to those with learning and / or physical disability. If you have any accessibility requirements or adjustments that you would like made, please let me know.
BACP Membership
I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), and I adhere to their Ethical Framework
My counselling training course is a BACP Accredited Course, which means that my training meets the standard and quality required by the BACP.
Continued Professional Development
I continue my professional development through practitioner research and training, and receive regular supervision. Recent CPD examples include:
Trauma-Informed Practice
Epilepsy awareness
Shame, Trauma and Embodied Experience
RNIB Counselling for Sight Loss
Supporting Autistic clients
Men’s mental health in counselling and psychotherapy
Family Systems Theory
Professional Experience:
My own path in life has given me opportunities to support people within:
International higher education
Youth travel & cultural exchange
Outdoor education in Canada
High School and Sixth Form teaching in the UK (Performing Arts)
Hospice
Disability support
Social services.
Qualifications & Training
MSc Therapeutic Counselling - University of Greenwich (BACP accredited training course)
PGCE Secondary Education - University of Cambridge
BA(Hons) Music - University of Nottingham
Counselling for Sight Loss Accreditation Training - RNIB
Interested in working together?
Please get in touch via email to arrange a free, 20-30 minute consultation Zoom / phone call. I look forward to hearing from you.
I will aim to respond to your inquiry within 3 working days via email. (Check your spam / junk folder!)
Hours:
Cardiff, in-person and online:
Monday and Tuesday
10am-6pm (final appointment time finishing at 7pm)
Online:
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday:
6pm-7pm (final appointment time finishing at 8pm)