Charlotte Houghton

Update: I am on annual leave from 29th March until 10th April and unable to take on any new clients until the end of April 2024. I will respond to any enquiries  get during this time, when I am able to but please bare in mind it might take me a few days.

I offer counselling on Mondays and Thursdays between 10am and 2pm and evening sessions starting at 8pm on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays. Just so you know, I also work part-time as a suicide bereavement support worker which is why my availability for counselling sessions is limited.

I am genuine, warm and offer empathic understanding and like to work collaboratively with you to unpick the issues that are troubling you. I am a person centred counsellor and feel that this approach fits with my way of being, the Person Centred Approach is a talking therapy that does not assign homework and has as its core values that a therapist should be empathic, non-judgemental and genuine whilst being fully present and actively listening as well as recognising that the client is an expert on themselves. I aim to bring all of these aspects to our sessions.

I have worked with clients experiencing depression, anxiety and self-esteem issues by linking adult behaviours or feelings to childhood experiences, whether they are negative or positive. I have worked with clients who have experienced bereavement by sudden death and suicide and worked to the acceptance of changing circumstances following that including loss of identity. I also have 8 months experience working with people that live with MS (Multiple Sclerosis) and understand the anxiety and worries a long-term medical diagnosis can bring.

I enjoy working with a variety of people of all ages, nationalities, genders and LGBTQ+ and feel that the unconditional positive regard offered as part of the person centred approach really adds to the therapeutic relationship.

I offer you the space and confidentiality (with some limitations) to talk freely and without judgements and I am not uncomfortable if you cry or need a few minutes to collect your thoughts before continuing.

In sessions, I will accept and value you as the expert on you, I feel that the counselling relationship makes all the difference to the outcome of the therapy so will take time to get to know you, and if something has happened between sessions that needs more immediate focus, we can explore that too. I will be with you on your journey, helping to connect previous experiences especially those of childhood whether positive or negative to the issues arising in adulthood.

Sessions are 50 minutes in length and cost £35, Concessions are £25. All sessions are delivered remotely by phone or Microsoft Teams (no download is necessary), I ask for payment the day before the session at the latest. although clients are welcome to pay a week in advance or for 3-4 sessions at a time by bank transfer or Paypal if they wish.

We have a review every 4-6 weeks to see how the therapy is progressing and review your goals/aims.

I also offer clients the opportunity after the initial work has been completed to switch to sessions every 2 weeks. If we have been working together for a long time then reducing the frequency of sessions helps a client to feel supported until they are ready to end the sessions. 

I like to have a full hour for the first session, at no extra charge. During this time we will have a chat about what brings you to therapy and what you would like to work on. 

Then if you feel that we could work together, we will complete the registration form and discuss the contract, which will also be emailed over to you.