VICTORIA POWDRILL COUNSELLING
Providing a safe, nonjudgmental therapeutic space
WELCOME
Thank you for visiting my website and taking the time to find out a little about me and my approach to therapy.
I understand that it can be daunting to start counselling, especially in a culture where it can be hard to be vulnerable and find time for ourselves. I aim to support you by working at a pace that suits your needs, and to create the right environment for you to feel safe to express yourself and be truly heard.
ABOUT ME
After studying for a Psychology degree, I had an initial career in Marketing before taking time to have a family. I then decided to retrain as a counsellor and bring my own life experience to my therapeutic work. I work both short and long term with adults of different ages and backgrounds, across a wide variety of presenting issues and am constantly inspired by the pull of the human spirit towards healing and wholeness.
ABOUT THERAPY
What is Counselling?
Counselling is a ‘talking therapy’ that allows you to discuss problems or anything that you are struggling with in a confidential, nonjudgmental space. It usually happens at the same time each week, as each session builds upon the next. Therapy is not a place for giving advice or suggesting a particular solution to life’s problems, but rather an opportunity to explore feelings and work together to help you achieve your goals.
It can be helpful to gain some self-awareness and understanding of present difficulties in collaboration with a therapist. The ongoing support provided by counselling often allows clients to feel a greater sense of purpose in their life and the possibility of change.
What is Transactional Analysis?
My training is in Transactional Analysis (TA). This is a theory of personality and relationships based on the study of ego states and is used in therapy as a tool to promote personal growth and change. It is one of the Humanistic therapies and I work with TA’s basic philosophical assumptions that; people are OK and have inherent value and dignity, everyone has the capacity to think, people decide their own destiny and these decisions can be changed. (If you are interested in finding out more about TA then please visit uka4ta.co.uk).
How do I work?
There is overwhelming research evidence that the quality of the relationship between client and therapist is itself the central feature in effective therapy, as much of what happens between people is unconscious and out of awareness. I aim to create a safe and welcoming atmosphere that is supportive of each individual client in their personal growth and development, taking the time for this relationship to develop. I aim to work collaboratively so that we both take joint responsibility for any agreed change in therapy.
I understand that therapy can be difficult and clients can sometimes report feeling worse before they see improvements, often as they address painful areas of their lives. It can be a bit like peeling back the layers of an onion. It is important to remember that as we gently peel away each layer, we are brought closer to our true selves, allowing us to live more authentic and fulfilling lives.
Whatever you are struggling with, I will support and empower you to find a way through your current difficulties.
"I wish I could show you when you are lonely or in darkness the astonishing light of your own being" Hafez
"Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it" Rumi
SERVICES I OFFER
INDIVIDUAL THERAPY
I offer individual therapy sessions for young people (18+) and adults both face to face and on Zoom, usually at the same time each week. I offer short term and long term therapy, and the number of sessions can be flexible depending on your needs.
If we agree to work together, I usually suggest an initial 6 sessions and then a review of our progress.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
I am a fully qualified Psychotherapeutic Counsellor with a Level 6 Diploma in Counselling and BSc (Hons) Psychology. I am a professional member of the NCPS, UKATA and EATA and abide by their code of ethics.
I am fully insured, and frequently undertake supervision of my work as well as ongoing training to maintain best practice. I have worked as a counsellor in a number of settings, including:
Pickering Cancer Drop In Centre
Burrswood Health and Wellbeing
A GP Surgery in East Sussex
I have experience of helping adults with a wide range of issues, such as bereavement, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, life-stages, illness, stress, abuse and loss.
PRICES
I recently joined a group of therapists at Resilience Counselling in East Sussex. I am currently offering one-to-one counselling; in person in Uckfield, via the online platform Zoom, and telephone appointments. If you choose to have therapy online, then I will ensure that you are comfortable using this medium in our first session.
I offer a free initial phone conversation to discuss what you would like from therapy. This gives you the opportunity to decide if I am the right counsellor for you and ask any questions, and for me to ensure that I have the right experience to meet your needs.
I charge £45 for each 50 minute session, either face to face or online using Zoom.
"I was definitely one of those people who didn't want to admit I had a mental health issue to begin with, let alone seek outside help! I mainly chose Victoria because of her professional credentials and experience appeared to meet my mental health needs at the time. Not knowing what to expect when I started therapy, I was somewhat surprised after our first session to feel that this was actually something I did need to do for me. My weekly sessions with Victoria allowed me to step away from the trauma affecting my life at the time and quite literally 'take a breath'. I saw Victoria for almost a year and, on reflection, I'm not entirely sure how I would have managed to get through that period without having our weekly time-outs! I'm now in a much more stable place mentally and a large part of my new found confidence can be firmly attributed to the support Victoria afforded me throughout" M
"I decided I needed counselling when my bottled up emotions and experiences from childhood were starting to affect my daily life. Victoria was really empathetic and she made me realise that I am not alone. During my sessions with her, she helped me open up and talk about feelings that I'd been suppressing for a long time. She never pushed me or made me feel judged. Although therapy is a painful experience, I think everyone could benefit from it and Victoria made it as comfortable as possible. I now find it a little easier to talk to my friends and family when I'm not in a good place. Thank you Victoria!"
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