Counselling & Psychotherapy in Hertfordshire & Online
A way forward
Counselling & Psychotherapy
Whatever has brought you to seek support, I'd like to help you find a positive way forward so that you can live a more fulfilling life, being the person you want to be.
How we see ourselves and the events of our lives can have a big impact on who we are, how we feel, what we believe, the relationships we have, the choices we make and the lives we lead. It can cause us to feel stuck, lost, anxious or sad, to avoid things, think negatively, worry excessively and struggle with feelings of fear, inadequacy, isolation, shame, guilt or jealousy. It may cause us to behave in ways that harm us, or those we care about. It can make it really difficult to have good relationships, to do well at college, university or work, or to achieve our goals - it may even stop us having goals. In short, it can cause a lot of pain and keep us from reaching our highest human potential.
I can work with you to help make sense of this struggle, so you can move forward with your life - free of these uncomfortable feelings and unhelpful thoughts or behaviours, being who you want to be, with positive relationships and the confidence and resilience to pursue your wishes, and create a life that aligns with your true self. In essence, I can help you to have a better life experience.
What I can help you with
People come to therapy for all sorts of reasons, some of which cannot be easily categorised. You may just have a need to speak in confidence; to be heard and supported in a place of safety.
Others might come to therapy for support with a specific issue, such as the ones below, all of which are issues I can help with:
Difficult childhood experiences
Relationship issues
Self-defeating behaviours – e.g. substance misuse, self-harm, eating disorders, unbalanced attitudes such as worrying, compulsive behaviours etc.
Managing depression, anxiety and stress
Bereavement and other forms of loss
Issues relating to different life stages – e.g. young adulthood or middle age
Anger, frustration and emotional turmoil
Personal growth, creativity and development
Sexual, emotional and physical abuse
Self-esteem
Traumatic events
About Me
I am a fully qualified Therapist offering counselling and psychotherapy in Redbourn, near St Albans, Hertfordshire. I provide a safe, confidential environment where you will be greeted with warmth and acceptance.
I have studied and practised in the field of psychology for many years. My training has been in a range of theoretical perspectives - Psychodynamic, Person-Centred, Cognitive-Behavioural, Transactional Analysis, Gestalt and Humanistic - in simple terms this 'integrative' approach means I use the best that these perspectives have to offer in helping explore your unique experiences and facilitate the change you might be seeking.
My approach is grounded in the Humanistic view - which recognises the fundamental struggles of human existence that we all grapple with, and which are threaded through almost every issue that might arise in therapy. To this end, I do not view the therapeutic journey as you and your problems, rather it is a path we walk together - with our therapeutic connection providing the catalyst for awareness, growth and change.
My Qualifications:
MSc in Applied Psychology
BSc (Hons) in Psychology
Advanced Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling
Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling
Diploma in Hypnotherapy & Counselling Skills
I also undertake regular CPD to enhance my knowledge and skills.
I am a registered Accredited Member of the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS), and abide by their ethical framework. I have an enhanced DBS certificate and am in regular supervision to ensure the ethical standards of my practice. I am registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and am fully insured for professional liability.
I have worked extensively with autistic people and ensure the needs of neurodivergent clients are recognised and accommodated in my practice as fully as possible.
"What lies behind us, and what lies before us, are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Contact Me
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 and whether I am the right therapist to help.
You can also call me on 07918 098 691 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.
All enquires are usually answered within 24 hours, and all contact is strictly confidential and uses secure phone and email services.
MY LOCATION
I am based close to the High Street in the village of Redbourn, Hertfordshire, just off J9 of the M1. My face-to-face therapy sessions are therefore accessible to those from nearby St Albans, Harpenden, Wheathampstead, Berkhamsted, Hemel Hempstead, Radlett, Watford, Luton, and the surrounding areas of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.
Online sessions cover all of the UK.
FEES
£60 per 50 minute session (face to face and online sessions)
£100 per one-off 90 minute session
I offer a free 15 minute telephone consultation. This will give you a chance to ask any questions you might have and help you feel more comfortable should you choose to start therapy. It also helps me to understand what you are looking for from therapy. Please do send me an email or submit the contact form if you would like to arrange a call.
Availability
Appointments are available Monday to Friday 9:30am to 2:30pm
Evening appointments are on Wednesday and Thursday between 7pm and 9pm.
Face to face appointments can be paid either in cash or by bank transfer. Online sessions need to be paid for in advance by bank transfer. I do ask for 24 hours' notice when cancelling a session, otherwise the fee will be payable whatever the reason for your cancellation.
FAQs
There is parking available on-site or close by. My therapy room is accessed via three steps, with a more accessible entrance for those with mobility issues – please just ask for more details.
Our therapeutic relationship will be the most powerful tool in bringing about positive change. Regular weekly sessions for at least the first six weeks will therefore be most beneficial to you; enabling us to foster this connection, establish trust and build momentum. It is usual that, after this block of six sessions, we will review our work together and consider the best way forward. However, everyone has different circumstances and I aim to be as flexible as possible in terms of meeting your preferences for the frequency and length of your therapy. You are of course free to stop therapy at any time.
Alternatively, you may be unsure about committing to therapy and want to get a feel for what therapy is like, or you may have a specific concern you wish to talk through on a one-off basis. For these reasons I offer a 90 minute single therapy session.
Please just email me or fill in the contact form if you wish to discuss either of these options.
Yes, I have a limited number of discounted sessions for students or those on low-income. Please do not hesitate to contact me for more information.
I take confidentiality extremely seriously and will discuss this with you before we start therapy. As well as sessions, all contact with me (enquiries, calls, emails) are treated in strictest confidence.
You can also read my privacy policy here.
No, I only work with adult individuals in therapy. It is best to seek a therapist with specific training in working with couples, as the unique dynamic of couple therapy brings special considerations.
Please do just drop me an email or fill in the contact form if you have any further questions, or would like to arrange a free 15 minute telephone call. You can also call me on 07918 098 691 – I will respond to voicemails within 24 hours.
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© Helen O'Gorman BSc (Hons), MSc, MNCPS (Acc.)
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