Anxiety Counselling in Cheltenham

I am a fully qualified and accredited Systemic Family and Couple Psychotherapist (MA), with over 20 years clinical experience, working therapeutically with Individuals, Couples and Families across the age-span, both within the NHS and my own Independent Practice. As a specialist relationship therapist, I support those navigating challenges in relationships, as well as those wishing to improve communication, intimacy and closeness. I work with couples and families of all kind, and am keen to embrace diversity. My practice is strengths and resilience orientated, collaborative and underpinned by the latest evidence based principles.

My background is in Mental Health with over 20 years experience as a Mental Health Nurse working within the NHS and private sector. I have supported many individuals from children and young people to older adults. That has given me the experience and ability to work with a wide variety of mental Health issues.

I am here to offer my clients the opportunity to explore their authentic self with non-judgemental, caring, support. You may have received black and white messages about who you are supposed to be, or how you are supposed to feel that just aren't quite right for you, but you aren't sure of the alternatives. Or perhaps, you find yourself at a crossroads or experiencing huge change. This may have left you feeling uncertain, overwhelmed or confused. I work with you to help you through this times, providing tools and coping strategies to help you long term too.

You may have a child struggling with being at school, or perhaps you find yourself constantly at loggerheads with them. Perhaps they can't sleep, or don't want to get up in the morning, they might feel lonely, or misunderstood, criticised, or attacked . You may have tried every strategy you can find, to persuade your child to eat, or listen, or simply follow instructions. We all believe that childhood should be a time of simple happiness, but in fact this is a time of enormous developmental challenge, and many things can make it hard for children and adolescents to tread the path towards a resilient, positive, independent adulthood.

Not knowing which way to turn or who you can talk to? Life feeling something like this overwhelming, relationships strained, broken down, lacking confidence & self-esteem, difficult to voice or understand what you need, feeling down on edge & simply confused? Then welcome to Barry Cook 'The Tattooed Counsellor' When we feel this way our problems may be all mixed up growing bigger or unmanageable by the day. It could be that past or present experiences are causing us confusion & conflict. Maybe you would benefit from talking to someone who is not a part of your friends & family and will simply allow you to be you.

Most people will be faced with difficult and painful circumstances during their lives – and it can be beneficial to seek support to help process those experiences. Finding a counsellor you feel comfortable with and are able to talk to is vital. I have worked with people who have faced a range of different challenges; Our sessions together enable my clients to safely process feelings and experiences they are struggling with, allowing them to develop their ability to recognise and embrace their own needs and improve their well-being. I can provide a confidential space where you are able to explore difficulties at your own pace.

I'm an integrative counsellor who can provide a safe space for the sharing of your self-reflections, emotions, and life experiences. I am equipped with skills and knowledge working with young adults, domestic abuse, and women who have been through the criminal justice system. Our work together starts with the relationship between us, and I will firstly focus on building trust and connection, to create a feeling of freedom and security in the room. I understand that counselling can bring up many resistances, and together we can find ways to take care of these, offering them the consideration they deserve.

Children and Young People have many issues which they cannot always express and understand their feelings, as adults sometimes can. Issues can range from parents splitting up, school problems, exam stress and pressure, friendship issues, witnessing domestic abuse or sexual abuse. The lists can be endless. My job is to creatively work with the child or young person to explore what their issues are and help build up self esteem and track their goals in therapy in creative ways.

I have worked for over 15 years as a body-oriented psychotherapist, specialising in prenatal & birth/ attachment issues, sexual trauma, life transitions & crisis. I am also a TRE (Tension Releasing Exercises) provider, to support the release of stress from the body/ mind. More recently I have trained to work with women of all ages & life stages around menstrual cycle awareness, the menopause passage & after & I am currently training as a women's transformational coach & facilitator. I feel passionately about supporting women to step into greater self-love, empowerment & fulfillment in all areas of their life.

In troubling times it can sometimes feel like you are alone & seeking help might feel really difficult. Just having a space to make sense of the thoughts that jumble around our heads is invaluable. Perhaps you need to understand yourself, your relationships or events from your past. Sometimes all we need is someone to just listen and hear our story. Counselling promotes insight, fosters self-awareness & creates a stronger, more resilient sense of self. This powerful combination can be the kick-start for the changes in your life you wish to make - sometimes even the smallest changes can make a huge difference in your well-being.

As a client-led therapist, I am guided by you the client. These are your sessions, and I am here to support you. I provide a safe and confidential space, where you can explore your concerns which have brought you to counselling. Sometimes life can become difficult, leaving it hard to navigate daily life. By having someone that can listen fully to you, supporting you to find your understanding, you can regain your confidence to manage daily life effectively.

We all respond differently to the pressures and changes- you may be swinging from one emotion to another, or feeling numb and tired, or just can't think straight... We are all doing our best to cope, but maybe your normal ways of coping aren't working well enough at the moment? Or maybe you have turned to ways of coping that are unhelpful- like drinking too much ? I can help you find your feet and see what is important for you right now. I know how important it is to find a breathing space to process what is happening when you are living with chaos and uncertainty

As a qualified integrative therapist, respect is at the centre of my beliefs. I fervently believe that an individual, no matter who you are, should have the arena in which to be heard, without prejudice, without judgement, and with compassion. Our inclusive space will be one of confidentiality, trust and a pace that you feel able to go at, and my hope is that we will work to resolve, or at least identify, some, if not all, of the reasons that you've decided to reach out.

I am an experienced integrative art therapist working with people 18+. I offer a: welcoming, safe, and confidential space in which together, we can explore what's been on your mind. I seek to understand your experience and perspective. This in turn, enables us to work together towards the change you'd like to see.

For most of us, life is a complex mix of highs and lows. Sometimes we need specialist help, separate to our family and friends, to support our mental health and wellbeing and help us find our way. You might have a child or young person in distress; perhaps you’re battling with parenting or behaviour issues; or maybe you are an adolescent or young adult struggling to navigate life. Psychotherapy can help you make sense of difficult thoughts, feelings and behaviours; allowing you to create better relationships, healthier behaviours, achieve potential and find joy in life.

You may be finding it difficult to cope, and feel alone? You may be struggling after a trauma or bereavement, separation, or with ill-health? Or maybe feel that your life is stuck, or lacking purpose? At times like these, counselling offers a space for you to explore your thoughts and feelings, with someone who will strive to understand without judgement, & help you make sense of your feelings, find clarity, or make decisions. I offer all my clients Empathy, Congruence, and Unconditional Positive Regard. I also offer play, sand-tray, art and creative therapies to my younger clients. Home visits are available.

In our work I will invite you to be curious, to allow deeper feelings to surface and to explore them with me as a reliable, resilient companion. I believe that togerther, allowing our creativity and imagination free rein, we can find a place of calm in the turbulence. A place where you can come to accept things you cannot change, have compassion for your most vulnerable self and hopeful growth towards your true whole self. I work in an integrative style, which means I can draw on different approaches within psychotherapy to build a working alliance personalised to you while also drawing on my own inner responses and felt sense.

Are you not coping with the demands of day-to-day life? Not feeling good enough or that your behaviours are too much maybe? Struggling with a recent ADHD diagnosis or how to cope while waiting for support. Feeling stressed and overwhelmed all the time is no fun and exhausting. I can support you to explore and address your issues working towards a more content future. I work with individuals 18+ online and in Central Exeter.

Want to move forwards but feel stuck, or a change is proving tough to navigate?Perhaps the past feels too much part of your present? Therapy can help. As a psychodynamic psychotherapist I am guided by your needs, we'll work at your pace to explore what is going on and help you to find a way to manage what this means for you. You may need a space that feels neutral and safe to talk about things that you have never talked about before; and to talk to someone who is there to fully listen to you with no distractions. Many clients say they just want to be able to find their joy again and know themselves better.