Counselling in Sidmouth
My counselling practice, Axe Valley Counselling, is within easy reach of Sidmouth – only a 30 minute drive away. Sidmouth is a delightful Regency seaside town which has kept its charm and has many visitors who make the most of its beach, shops and lovely countryside. The Sidmouth Folk week also draws a vast number of people who enjoy the variety of entertainment and enthusiastic atmosphere.
If you want counselling which is near Sidmouth but not in the immediate vicinity, you may choose to come to my practice, Axe Valley Counselling, which is easy to find with parking on the road outside or in the vicinity. The bus and train station are five minutes’ walk away and if you want a change, you can visit any of the various cafes and shops in the centre, including River Cottage Canteen, also only five minutes’ walk away from my practice.
Welcome to Axe Valley Counselling
You may have had counselling before and are used to talking about your issues with a counsellor, but if this is the first time, then I hope you will find the experience reassuring. I work in a quiet, calm and confidential environment, where I try and make clients feel comfortable and at ease. It can initially feel strange talking about your personal details, but within a very short period of time I hope you will be reassured, feel at ease and confident enough to continue with on-going counselling.
About Me
I have been counselling for twenty years and have much experience helping people get their lives back on track. Whether you want only one session to clarify some issue or decision you have to make, or whether you want longer to explore and resolve long standing problems, I hope to be able to help. I worked and trained with Relate, still working a few hours a week for them and started my private practice several years ago. In my practice in Axminster I am able to offer flexible times at short notice and at a central location for East Devon, South Somerset and West Dorset.
How does counselling work?
Counselling starts with an initial consultation during which I will ask you some questions and you will explain what has brought you here for counselling. At the end of the consultation I will be able to say how I can help you and if you feel comfortable with me we can book an on-going session. I believe that being able to build a good therapeutic relationship is very important for the counselling process.
On-going sessions will be used to explore your situation in order to enable you to get a better understanding of the various aspects of your problem and find ways of making positive changes. The length of time this will take will vary from person to person. I am flexible in my approach, both to the number of sessions required and the intervals between. Usually counselling starts weekly until the acute stage has passed and then fortnightly and sometimes monthly until the process is complete.
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.
Everything You need to know
How does counselling work?
How does counselling work?
Counselling starts with an initial consultation during which I will ask you some questions and you will explain what has brought you here for counselling. At the end of the consultation I will be able to say how I can help you and if you feel comfortable with me we can book an on-going session. I believe that being able to build a good therapeutic relationship is very important for the counselling process.
On-going sessions will be used to explore your situation in order to enable you to get a better understanding of the various aspects of your problem and find ways of making positive changes. The length of time this will take will vary from person to person. I am flexible in my approach, both to the number of sessions required and the intervals between. Usually counselling starts weekly until the acute stage has passed and then fortnightly and sometimes monthly until the process is complete.
My Fees
£40.00 for an individual
£45.00 for a couple if both work
£40.00 for telephone counselling
Fees are negotiable for those on low incomes or benefits and payment is by cash or cheque or prior BACS payment. This also applies to telephone counselling.