What is counselling and what can it do for you?

How can I help you?

Counselling offers you a safe and non judgmental space to talk about your problems and difficulties; it enables you to explore your life, relationships and feelings with someone who listens and hears you in a different way to others in your life. It can help you gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your relationships, often uncovering the hidden parts that are unknown to you and therefore can block you. This can lead to identifying unhelpful and negative patterns of behaviour often activated by counterproductive thoughts. I provide a space to explore these, whilst working through your emotions in a safe and empathic environment. Counselling can lead to exploring other options and choices in your life, whilst uncovering and rediscovering your true and unique qualities and who you really are. People often discover that they have been living their lives inauthentically, possibly with beliefs and conditions imposed on them by others. This can be a chance to separate your unhelpful and limiting beliefs from your own authentic beliefs and values, leading to personal strength, resilience and empowerment. Finally, counselling is a collaborative relationship; I believe that the client is the expert in their own life, so I will support you, working together with you to make the changes that are within your control, leading you to a happier and more fulfilled life.

Background, training, modality and current practice

Who I am and how I work.

For over 30 years I have been an individual music teacher, to both children and adults, both privately and at schools. Working with people on a one to one basis, I noticed how frequently my students trusted me and spoke about their problems to me. With this experience and background, I decided to retrain as a Counsellor., and then further training as a Couple's Counsellor.. I am a qualified Integrative therapeutic counsellor (MBACP) working with adults from 18+. I also have Young Persons training, so can work with 16 and 17 year olds . I have a certificate in Couples Counselling from the BCS. I've also undertaken some specialist Bereavement training with Cruse. I combine elements from the modalities of Person Centred Theory and Psychodynamic Theory in my integrative work. I also have some training in CBT and may use elements of this in my practice where useful, as well as Transactional Analysis techniques. I currently work at my private practice based in Binfield Heath, and at The Cherry Tree Centre in Henley on Thames. I am also trained and qualified to work online and by telephone, and have much experience in this. I offer an individual and professional service to my clients. I am a member of and registered with the BACP, and therefore adhere to their ethics, principles and code of conduct. I have professional insurance in place.

I work with a range of presenting issues including but not limited to:

Anxiety Eating disorders

Depression ADHD

Couples Stress

Low self esteem Anger

Relationship issues Bullying

Bereavement Gender and Sexuality

Abuse Work problems

Addictions Transition and Identity

Family issues Sexual Health

Self harm Trauma and PTSD

Suicidal thoughts Overthinking

Issues covered

My ethos

My practice is named Sunflower Counselling for several reasons, all of which reflect my ethos and passion for counselling and its benefits. The sunflower represents many things including positivity and strength. In some cultures it represents good luck and lasting happiness. Sunflowers have the ability to provide energy in the form of nourishment and vibrancy. They’re known for being positive flowers, and bring joy to those around them. They track the sun, which reflects the hope and purpose of my work, which is to work collaboratively with my clients, bringing them out of darkness to face the sun. Their spiritual meaning relates to self respect, which means learning to be authentic and embracing your own individuality, which fits in with my counselling model.

How to contact me and what to expect

Helma Marlow MBACP - Therapeutic Counsellor

Please email me on sunflowercounselling7@gmail.com

or message me on 07814 720584

Once contacted, I will invite you to participate in a FREE 15 minute consultation, either online, or by phone, depending on your preference. This will give you a chance to give me a brief outline of what has brought you to counselling, and for you to see if you would like to work with me. After this initial contact, I will send you my Terms and Conditions Contract to look over, prior to an initial, without obligation, first session. Any questions you may have can be emailed to me or discussed at our initial consultation.