Compassionate Counsel

Sensitive, intuitive, personable and highly skilled counsellor. Vanessa made us feel immediately at ease and enabled us to communicate effectively in the sessions. She drew on a range of theories to enable us to understand our relationship and suggested helpful techniques we could use outside of the sessions. Highly recommended!

I was going through some difficult family issues, so I had a series of counselling sessions with Vanessa. Her approach was very compassionate and flexible, drawing on many different techniques and skills. With her help, I have now successfully dealt with my issues and moved on, and I now feel very positive. I would thoroughly recommend Vanessa's counselling services to anyone who is experiencing emotional difficulties.

My husband and I turned to Vanessa to address some extremely sensitive issues in our relationship. We had been referred to relate by our GP but when we realised that private counselling is very similar in cost and without a waiting list we decided to give it a try. It is never easy to talk to a stranger about your personal life, but we both found Vanessa's practical, sympathetic and frank approach helped us overcome any initial reservations. By providing a safe place to share our feelings and offering guidance on practical courses of action we could take, Vanessa really helped us to take control of a situation that was making us both unhappy. I would recommend to anyone thinking of seeking counselling that you get in touch.

I'm extremely grateful for finding Compassionate Counsel and recommend it to anyone who wants to have counselling but is unsure of where to start or what they are looking for. Vanessa is a very warm, understanding and highly experienced counsellor who I really enjoyed working with. She was able to help me unravel and address issues that had troubled me for a long time in a very safe and non-judgemental environment. Finding someone you can communicate with and trust with private issues you may not be able to discuss with anyone else is key and this is exactly what I found when I met Vanessa. Highly recommended.

I went to Vanessa with a general anxiety disorder made worse by trying to do too much both at home and at work. I was at first reluctant to share my feelings with a stranger because of my anxiety. Vanessa managed to overcome my fears and we were able to make steady progress in unpacking the baggage I had been trying to carry around. I continue to be amazed at the difference counselling has made to my life and that of those around me. Having self confidence for the first time in 40 years and being able to live without the pent up aggression, frustration and feelings of helplessness is miraculous. I am now easier to live with as I'm happy being me. I now don't need to be perfect at everything I do and I'm happy, relaxed and content to be me. Receiving and acting on counselling is expensive, emotionally challenging and extremely hard work. It won't change your life overnight but it will help you find the tools you need to help you shape your world to suit your needs. I would recommend it to everyone - even hard up sceptics like me.Moreexpand_more

I went to see Vanessa after doing a google search. From the first session she put me at ease and I found her to be consistently professional but warm, kind and empathetic. Over the course of a year she helped me figure out a way of dealing with situations differently, using a variety of counselling methods. It enabled me to be kinder to myself, and as a result I happier and more content than I can remember. Life will always be unpredictable but I feel confident that I will cope with whatever comes my way now. The sessions were great value for money. These skills are invaluable and having tried various counsellors over the years I can highly recommend Vanessa and thank her for the above.

I found counselling very helpful after I was referred by my company. Several topics were discussed no matter how big or small. I came away from each session feeling more positive and to be able to tackle what I needed to. I can’t thank Compassionate Counsel enough as I now have a different outlook and feel that I can be confident and deal with whatever comes my way. It’s good to know that I can go back whenever I need to, if I need to in the future and I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending this company.

Vanessa offered a professional, practical and down to earth approach with warmth and caring. I felt understood, supported and safe while being challenged and encouraged to find my own solutions and way foreward. At the same time I was offered useful tools and strategies to help me manage some difficult situations which I think will always be helpful as life skills.