Minds That Matter

Abbey Brocklehurst Counselling

About Me

Hi, my name is Abbey. I am a fully qualified and experienced person-centred counsellor/psychotherapist based in Liverpool dedicated to supporting individuals through their personal growth and healing journeys. I am happy you've taken the first step to starting your therapeutic process, however choosing the right counsellor for you can feel overwhelming with so many mental health professionals offering a variety of talking therapies with various qualifications, so here is a little bit about me and my background to hopefully help you decide if I am a good fit for you.

When I was younger, I went through my own experiences of battling mental health, which led me to seek out personal therapy; I was lucky enough to have a therapist who helped me find myself again. Coming out the other end of my struggles, I decided I wanted to help those in a similar place. I believe my own experiences of mental health have given me the ability to have a deeper level of empathy, patience, and acceptance with my clients. Opening up and being heard and understood by another person can bring relief. You don't have to struggle alone.

We all experience times of difficulty in our lives when events or relationships feel overwhelming, or we can feel a loss of direction or purpose; any reason is valid to enter therapy. My role as a person-centred therapist is not to offer advice or tell you what you should or shouldn't do like others in your life may do. Instead, I work collaboratively with clients to help them gain insight into their challenges and support them in their journey by offering a safe, non-judgmental, confidential space to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. I strive to create a trusting and supportive relationship with my clients based on empathy, respect, and authenticity. This relationship forms the foundation for our work together, allowing clients to feel comfortable opening up and exploring their concerns.

What I can help with

Abuse
Addictions
Anxiety
Childhood Trauma
Chronic Health Conditions
Depression
Difficulties with Self-Esteem
Domestic Violence
Grief, Loss, or Bereavement
Life Transitions
Post Separation Abuse
Relationship Difficulties
Sexual Abuse and Trauma
Stress
Suicidal thoughts and ideation
Workplace Issues

These are just a few examples of areas I work with; if you want to explore something not listed above, we can discuss this during your consultation.

Session fees

I charge £40 for a 50 minute session. (concessionary rates available for trainees and individuals on low income). We will agree on payment methods during our first meeting.

Clients I work with

I work with individuals aged 16 plus, Organisations and Trainees .

How I deliver therapy

Online therapy, Telephone therapy, Outdoor therapy, Short-term and Long-term sessions. Flexible hours available

Languages spoken

English

"Seeking therapy is not a sign of weakness; it's a courageous step toward understanding, healing, and growth."

- Abbey Brocklehurst

My first session

I offer a free 20-minute consultation to introduce ourselves. This consultation allows you to ask any questions you may have about me and how I work to ensure I am the right therapist for you.

If you decide to continue with me, our first session will be spent getting to know you better. I will ask for some basic details and then open up the conversation to get an overview of what you want from counselling and set some counselling aims. Only some people know what they would like to focus on at the beginning, so don't worry if you're unsure. My counselling contract is open-ended and tailored to you; therefore, you can have as few or as many sessions as you feel are appropriate.

It is very important that you feel comfortable in counselling. A crucial part of starting counselling is understanding the confidentiality you can expect from me as your counsellor and the boundaries around our sessions. We will discuss confidentiality as part of your initial session. I always adhere to the BACP ethical code of conduct, which means I put clients first, work to professional standards, show respect, build appropriate relationships, maintain integrity, and demonstrate accountability, amongst other things.

Training, qualifications & experience

I have a first-class degree in psychology with counselling and a post-graduate diploma in counselling and psychotherapy practice. I am currently studying a research year for my masters. I am registered member (409805) with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and actively attend ongoing training to ensure that I continue to improve my counselling skills and gain knowledge in areas in which clients may struggle. Before going into private therapy practice, I worked as a volunteer listener for various charities over the last four years, such as Samaritans and Childline, where I gained valuable skills covering a wide range of issues. I have also worked for multiple non-profit organisations, working with individuals in the Merseyside area alongside private practice. I regularly engage in clinical supervision and training to ensure my continuing professional development. I am insured, and I hold an enhanced DBS.