Welcome to Within You Counselling
“Within you there is a stillness and sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself”
Hermann Hesse
About Me
Hello and welcome to Within You Counselling…….my name is Francesca and I am an Integrative Psychotherapist and Counsellor. I provide counselling and therapy for individuals in a private, calm and safe environment.
What led me to the path of counselling was various life experiences, challenges and difficulties that I have faced over the years – just like you. I reached a point in my life when I decided to channel these experiences and help others who may be struggling and to help them navigate their own way around whatever challenges they may be facing.
I provide a safe and non-judgemental environment for you to feel secure in exploring whatever you want to and find ways of moving forward to possibly becoming “unstuck” – helping you reach your full potential and to find within yourself the tools and abilities to overcome your difficulties.
I personally believe that the person who can help you best is you – nobody knows you better than you do. I am not able to “fix” you or “mend” you - you are not broken. I will simply work alongside you to provide an authentic and genuine place for you to share and express whatever feelings, thoughts and emotions that you want to.
Maybe you are experiencing difficulties in your life now and need someone to talk to? Maybe someone outside of your family and friends? I am here to help you so feel free to give me a call or email for an initial and informal chat. You may be surprised what you could achieve with a little assistance.
Qualifications
Professional Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling Practice (Prof.Dip PSYC)
Diploma in Counselling Skills and Theory (DIP CST)
Certificate in Hypnotherapy and Counselling Skills (Cert Hyp CS)
How can counselling help?
Counselling can help with many issues and gives you a chance to reflect on difficulties that you are experiencing. It provides a secure and confidential place with someone from outside of your daily life. We would work together to find new perspectives and for you to possibly gain a deeper understanding of yourself. I work with clients from all walks of life and can help with a diverse range of issues and problems.
As I work as an integrative counsellor and therapist I work with different approaches, depending on the client’s individual needs. These approaches include: Person-Centred where I will work with you and alongside you providing an empathetic, non-judgemental approach whilst providing emotional support. I will offer an outstretched hand. The Psychodynamic approach where we explore how our past experiences can affect the present and with the CBT approach where we identify and challenge our thought process.
Speak in Confidence
How often do you feel that you can really speak in total confidence? Counselling provides a safe and peaceful space where no matter what is divulged you will never be judged. Your true thoughts and feelings can be expressed fully, where you may find a sense of relief and lightness by being able to communicate and explore your true feelings.
A problem shared...
Counselling helps with a variety of issues such as relationship issues, anxiety & stress, mood swings, depression, etc. Just by sharing your feelings around whatever issue you are facing can lift the load and sharing with someone outside of your circle. Hopefully by exploring your issues with a counsellor you can find the tools you need to help you gain a better understanding of what is causing the problems and how to move towards managing or resolving them.
Make better, healthier new choices
Working together can help you gain greater insight into the difficulties you are facing. Counselling can help you gain a real understanding of why you are feeling how you are, why you act or react how you do and see how you can start to make better, healthier choices to enable you to move forward.
“One who looks around him is intelligent; one who looks within him is wise”
Matshona Dhliwayo
What issues can counselling help with?
People come to me for help with a wide range of issues. Here are a few of the more common difficulties that can be supported through counselling:
Depression
Anxiety/Stress
Grief, loss or bereavement
Terminal illness diagnosis
Issues with confidence/low self esteem
Panic attacks
Relationship problems
Addictions
Difficulties at work or in retirement
Family issues
Emotional abuse
Domestic abuse
Low mood/feeling sad
Work related stress
General counselling
Frequently asked questions
Counselling is usually a good way to help with a current problem; something that can be discussed and - hopefully - resolved within a limited number of sessions. Over a certain number of weeks the understanding of the problem improves and away forward becomes clear. Therapy often describes work that goes a bit deeper, towards more substantial life issues and problems having a deeper effect on the client’s life. Therapy often requires a long-term approach, so the number of sessions can be open-ended.
Which option is most suitable depends on the client and the difficulties they are facing. In some cases counselling works well as an ongoing, longer-term option - or therapy can manage to resolve an issue in just a few sessions.
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. Then we would arrange a set number of counselling sessions to take place at the same time every week, that is convenient for you and where I have availabity. How quickly these sessions can begin will depend on the availabity of that free ‘slot’.
Everything that is said within the counselling room is private - this is one of the main ways counselling and therapy differ from talking to a friend or relative. Once you are comfortable with the format of weekly sessions and the safe space they provide, you will find the freedom to speak in confidence is of great value.
Note that there are some situations where you may be a risk to yourself or others, and where the law requires that I notify an authority; in these cases I may not be able to keep total confidentiality. Breaking confidentiality is very rare though, and only happens after the person concerned has been informed.
My location
I am based in Alderley Edge and cover areas including: Macclesfield, Handforth, Wilmslow, Poynton, etc. I will be offering online sessions via Zoom, Google Meet, Skype and Telephone. Face to face sessions can also be arranged.
I also offer my online counselling services on a national basis.
Fees & availability
Sessions last 50 minutes and are normally held on a weekly basis, depending on the client's needs. Individual sessions are £50.00 per session.
Also provide limited number of spaces for those on low-income or students. Please call for availability
There is a 24 hour cancellation policy, otherwise payment will be required for the missed session. Payment can be made in cash, cheque or bank transfer
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 07803754515 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.
I offer a free 15 minute consultation over phone or online where you can ask any questions and see if we could work together.
All enquires are usually answered within 24 hours, and all contact is strictly confidential and uses secure phone and email services.