Talk to Shirley

Counselling & Psychotherapy in Winchester

Hello! I'm Shirley. I am a psychotherapist and counsellor, with over 20 years experience, specialising in anxiety, trauma and relationships, working with adults and young people (13+) in central Winchester.

Applying cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) based psychotherapeutic methodology, which is a powerful mix of life coaching, counselling and psychotherapy, I can move you towards optimal mental wellbeing with an unshakable self-belief that will ignite your strengths, resources and creativity to get you the life you want.

Using a blend of humour, fresh perspectives, insightfulness and creativity all wrapped up in 100% commitment, I can help you get to where you would like to be. Come talk to me.

I love meeting people and have a real passion for helping people reach their optimum mental wellbeing. I am a qualified counsellor, psychotherapist, psychotherapeutic coach and workshop facilitator with experience in supporting young people from age 13 years plus and adult mental health and wellbeing.

As a registered member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) I work within the BACP Ethical framework.

I have been told I am an upbeat, insightful, approachable person. I aim to offer a service that's trustworthy, confidential and beneficial for you.

I have qualifications across the spectrum of counselling, psychotherapy and trauma-resolution interventions. Using this knowledge and understanding plus my many years of experience I am able to empower individuals and groups with excellent results. I have worked with organisations including Mind, OpenSight, Samaritans, Family Centres, Adult Continuing Education, Social Services and across the voluntary sector.

My qualifications include:

• Professional Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling Level 5
• Post Graduate Diploma (with Distinction) in Human Givens Psychotherapy
• Fusion Diploma in Therapeutic Coaching
• Rewind Trauma Practitioner
• Person Centred Counselling
• Solution Focused Practitioner
• Mindfulness Based Mind Management
• Recovery Toolkit Facilitator
• Laughter Therapy Facilitator
• Enhanced DBS

If any of what I can offer appeals then come and talk to me. You have nothing to lose except how you feel right now about yourself and your life. Why not try out a free taster session with me? Or a How To Workshop?

Practice Opening Hours:
Monday Afternoon and Evening
Wednesday Afternoon and Evening

Online sessions are available throughout the week, with daytime and evening appointments to provide flexible support around your commitments.

We are all subjected to the challenges that life throws at us but few people are aware of how beneficial coaching or therapy sessions are. I offer a variety of services tailored to your individual needs.

Do any of the following statements make you want to say "That's me!"?

• A relationship or job has ended and you feel like your life has too.
• You don't want to do things in case you fail and you just could not bear the thought of that as it means you would have let yourself down, let alone everyone else.
• Worried that one day the mask that you put on to get through life everyday will slip and the real you will be revealed.
• They say that teenage years are the best years of your life, so why not mine?
• Losing or lost your sight, are you fearful and scared?

• Hate confrontation so always end up saying yes or doing what everyone else wants you to do, your life is not your own.
• Been in an abusive relationship for a long time and managed to get out of it but it has left you feeling broken .
• Everyone else seems to get the things they want in life, relationships, doing work they enjoy etc so "why can't I?"
• Become angry, frustrated, annoyed quickly and that's on a good day.
• Never feel good enough, always beating yourself up over something. Guilt is never far away.
• Fear, anxiety and phobias keep you from doing what you want to do. No matter how hard you try to shake them off they always find you.

• You have experienced a situation which has been quite traumatic for you and as hard as you try not to you are reliving the situation over and over in your mind. This may cause you to have disturbed sleep, be highly anxious and an avoidance of everyday things that may trigger the process.
• Your get up and go has got up and gone; you have no motivation to do anything and all the things you liked to do doesn't interest you anymore. Fed up with everything sums you up.

If you answered "That's me!" to any of those statements then why keep struggling with it any longer?

Come and talk to me. You have nothing to lose except how you feel right now about yourself and your life. Why not try out a free taster session? Or a How To Workshop?

My range of How To Workshops have been created to suit either one person or a small group. They have proven very popular as they are delivered in a friendly, approachable, confidential space.

The workshops focus on building an understanding of key concepts and putting into practice simple useful skills and techniques. You can take away these tools right from the first session.

• How to improve your self-confidence
• How to improve your communication skills
• How to lift your mood quickly
• How to cope with anxiety (including social anxiety and panic attacks)
• How to use the knowledge and understanding of how your brain works to help with stress, anger, depression and anxiety
• How to use relaxation and mindfulness to cope with the stresses and strains of living
• How to use the power of laughter therapy to feel really good

Come and talk to me to find out more about what session/s might be suited to you.

"Shirley helped me put my life back in perspective when I couldn't see a future. She showed me I was someone worthy of all the good things life has to offer. Shirley is a life changing coach; she gave me the belief, courage and confidence to rebuild myself and my life encouraging me every step of the way. Thank you Shirley."

Kevin, Hemel Hempstead

"After spending ten years resisting talking to someone, I arrived at my first Talk to Shirley session apprehensive and little cynical. I literally cannot exaggerate what a life changing experience I then found the sessions to be. Shirley first of all explained exactly what I was going through, and what was happening physically to cause it. She then worked patiently down towards the cause before building me back again. After 3 months I feel better than I ever have, a million times stronger mentally, and able to deal with pretty much anything that comes my way. I would recommend Shirley to anyone."

Luke, Winchester

"Shirley helped me to see the positives in my life and what I am able to achieve. I now have the confidence to move forward, it was a really valuable, worthwhile experience."

Jon, London

"I would like to thank Shirley for helping me in several difficult situations. She is very patient, understanding, insightful and empathic. She introduced me to a number of effective strategies that I can apply myself. I would recommend her highly. Thank you Shirley!"

Clare, Milton Keynes

"I saw Shirley every week for around three months, and I am so grateful to her for all of her amazing support and guidance. She is so friendly, slightly bonkers (in a good way), and shares an amazing amount of knowledge about the working of the human mind!

She helped me to think through some negative feelings that I had tried to ignore for most of my adult life, and it has helped me to look at my future in a completely different way.

You'll have a laugh with her, and come out a stronger person."

Dave, Winchester

"Shirley is friendly and professional, putting me at ease from the first moment. She has helped me tremendously on a number of different concerns over several years and I am so grateful for how she's helped me overcome issues and improve my life."

Louise, Winchester

Come and talk to me. Together we can get you to where you would like to be, as these people have. Like them you have nothing to lose except the way you are feeling right now about yourself and your life.

Taster Session
Free 60 minute session.
I want you to feel sure that I am right for you and that you feel comfortable working with me, so I offer a taster session. We can discuss what is on your mind and how I can support you to make positive changes.

Follow On Sessions £70 for 60 minute session, this includes a 15 min support phone call between sessions if needed.

Feel better right from the very first session!
6-12 weekly sessions are usually required to make changes. However it could be shorter or longer depending on the circumstances and individual needs.

All sessions can be face to face or remotely.
The sessions are undertaken in a private, confidential, comfortable setting in Winchester or if more convenient for you remote sessions are available at the same cost.

How To Sessions
Come and talk to me to find out more about what session/s might be right for you, the availability and cost.

All sessions are to be paid in full at least forty-eight hours in advance of each session by bank transfer. If payment is not received the session will be cancelled.
Any sessions cancelled with less than 48hrs notice will be charged the full fee.

Come Talk To Me

I am very happy to discuss how I may be able to help you and tell you more about the different sessions I offer.