Welcome to NS Counselling
Everyone deserves to be listened to.... and heard!
Online Counselling and Psychotherapy in Merseyside and Ormskirk.
Hi I'm Natalie! A very warm welcome to my site
I work with individuals over the age of 18 offering a safe and confidential space to explore whatever is causing you concern. I believe the answers can be found within you – I can help you to look.
I work generically however have a special interest in:
- addiction and recovery
- rape and sexual assault
- anxiety and worry
- I am an LGBTQIA + affirmative therapist (I do not engage with any form of conversion therapy and I oppose conversion practices)
Counselling can offer you ...
- Clarity
- Hope
- Support and validation
- Space to explore your authentic self
- Understanding, coping and processing of experiences and emotions
- Increased internal confidence and peace
- Support in finding purpose
- A safe outlet to explore and vent
Making the decision to see a counsellor is a productive step to take towards improved well-being.
Working With Me
Working with the right person is a crucial component to successful therapy and I offer a free initial 20 minute phone call for us to mutually explore if we want to begin sessions together.
I am a Person-Centred Therapist at my core with additional training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. I initially qualified in 2009. I am trained to Post Graduate level and am a registered member of the BACP. My approach is anti-oppressive and trauma informed and my role is to work alongside you with care and compassion with your wellbeing at the forefront.
I have worked for the past 15 years in the drug and alcohol field as both a Counsellor and a Recovery Co-Ordinator. Alongside my counselling training and experience I have 4 years experience working as a Crisis Worker in a Sexual Assault Referral Centre, 7 years as a Mental Health Inclusion Worker and 18 months as a Samaritans Phoneline Worker.
Online Therapist
- Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy
- Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Anti oppressive, trauma informed practice
- Registered at Information Commissioners office (ICO)
- Professional Liability Insurance
Free 20 Min Initial Call
What types of issues can I help you with:
Some examples of issues that can be explored in sessions are:
addiction and recovery support
feelings of stress, anxiety and panic
validation
post trauma work
worry
abuse
rejection
feeling stuck
LGBTQAI +
sexuality specific issues
gender specific issues
effects of bullying and discrimination
loss
relationship issues
feeling unhappy and unfulfilled
Online Counselling Support
I offer counselling sessions online via Microsoft Teams. Phone sessions can also be arranged.
I see clients in Merseyside and Ormskirk, along with the surrounding areas of Lancashire, Manchester, and across the United Kingdom.
Sessions and Fees
Sessions are 50 minutes and the cost is £45. Cost is subject to change and will be discussed with at least one months notice.
Sessions will be online via Teams.
Sessions must be paid prior to the session preferably via BACS. If payment is not made the session will not go ahead.
Cancellations
Any cancellations made within 48 hours of a session will be charged in full. It will be expected that the missed session will be paid for prior to any subsequent sessions. Cancellations prior to 48 hours will not be charged.
I will endeavour to give as much notice as possible with regards to pre-booked time off. In the unusual event of my cancelling a session following a payment I will offer the choice to re-book or refund in full.
Frequently asked questions
It will be important for me to learn more about this in relation to you and any health needs that you may have. Sessions are an option and in some instances it may also be appropriate to signpost you to specialist support in your local area as a pre-counselling recommendation – for example, if you are physically dependent and are needing specialist medical support to help you transition from active use to sobriety. We can explore this together.
The counselling space is private and confidential at most.
Once you are comfortable with the format of weekly sessions and the safe space they provide the freedom to speak in confidence can be of great value.
There are some instances where confidentiality may be breached. This will be discussed with you in detail prior to your committing to sessions. Breaking confidentiality is very rare and only happens in extreme circumstances.
The terms counselling and therapy have become used interchangeably in recent years.
'Counselling' and 'therapy' are often used to mean the same thing. It is common for counselling to be referred to as 'therapy' and vice-versa. Equally, counsellors may utilise elements of therapy and therapists may counsel.
Only you can decide whether you want to try counselling or psychotherapy, but if you are struggling to cope and are finding day-to-day life difficult, you may benefit from professional help. Just talking to someone confidentially who is not a friend or family member can make all the difference. Counselling provides a regular time for you to explore your feelings and talk about any problems you're experiencing. A counsellor can help you develop better ways of coping, allowing you to move forward and get the most out of life.
How long a period of counselling lasts will vary from person to person and depend on the depth of the issues they are facing. For some people a couple of sessions helps to bring their problems into focus, and they feel ready to move forward; other problems may require more of an open-ended approach.
Before we begin any work we will agree on the number of sessions we’ll undertake, and at the end of that number review our progress. As long as we both agree further therapy will be of benefit to you, sessions can continue.
My aim is to offer a first appointment - known as an initial assessment - within 1-2 weeks. This is dependent on availability.
Support Links
- Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC) | The Survivors Trust
- Want to talk? | Rape Crisis England & Wales
- NAPAC – Supporting Recovery From Childhood Abuse
- SurvivorsUK | We challenge the silence to support sexually abused men
- How to seek help for a mental health problem - Mind (national mental health support)
- Helpline for Mental Health | SOS Silence of Suicide
- Samaritans | Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy | Here to listen
- Kids & Young People - Mermaids (mermaidsuk.org.uk)
- Homepage | Switchboard (lgbtqia+ support line)
- GenderGP: Online Transgender Clinic | Worldwide Gender Clinic
- Kids & Young People - Mermaids (mermaidsuk.org.uk) (safe space for transgender, non-binary and gender diverse young people)
- Alcoholics Anonymous Great Britain (alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk)
- Welcome to UKNA | UKNA | Narcotics Anonymous in the United Kingdom
- Cocaine Anonymous CAUK Area
- Gamblers Anonymous
- Getting Started with Mindfulness - Mindfultransgender,
- Further Support - Street Sex Workers - The Diversity Trust
- MANUP? | MEN'S MENTAL HEALTH CHARITY
Get in touch
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how counselling works, or to arrange an initial assessment appointment. This enables us to discuss the reasons you are thinking of coming to counselling, whether it could be helpful for you and whether I am the right therapist to help.
You can also call me on 07903243344 if you would prefer to leave a message or speak to me first. I am happy to discuss any queries or questions you may have prior to arranging an initial appointment.
All enquires are usually answered within 24 hours, and all contact is strictly confidential and uses secure phone and email services.