Having experienced a significant bereavement at a young age, I struggled with Depression for many years. However, it was witnessing my children struggle that really brought home to me the need for something to change about my approach to life and my relationships with other people. The journey I embarked on resulted in my application to train as a counsellor.
However, far from being an end-point, the training had it’s own challenges, not least when I was diagnosed with a disabling condition which put my counselling qualification in jeopardy.
As well as my passion for working with young people, and those struggling with chronic illness and disability, it was through personal trauma that I realised how important it is for everyone to be truly heard. No matter what your life experience; there is no hierarchy of need; each experience, each story, each struggle is unique and important. I also know that asking for help can feel daunting, especially when you've convinced yourself that nobody could ever understand.
As a person-centred counsellor, I offer a warm, accepting, non-judgmental, and confidential space in which you can explore your feelings, thoughts, and behaviours to find a deeper understanding of yourself, develop coping strategies to improve your resilience, and start the journey to better physical, mental, and emotional health.
Hello, my name is Issy, my pronouns are she/her and I run Rivertree Counselling. Rivertree Counselling prides itself on being an inclusive practice where everyone is welcome.
I am a qualified counsellor and registered member of the BACP. I have a Diploma in person centred therapy and an Advanced Certificate in counselling with children and young people. Prior to qualifying as a counsellor I had a background in arts for social change and a Masters Degree in Applied Theatre: Community Theatre and Education.
As a person centred counsellor I will be led by you; your stories and your needs, offering a safe, confidential space to talk about whatever it is that has led you to counselling. I will listen without judgement to your thoughts and feelings and work with you as you make sense of your experiences.
I offer individual counselling to young people aged 10+ and adults of any age. I am able to offer a variety of working methods including working creatively should you wish.
I have a long standing passion for working with the LGBTQ+ community and I have many years of experience with this community, particularly counselling trans and non binary youth. This passion is driven by my own lived experience as a member of the community. Further areas of experience include neurodiversity, fertility, the care system, depression and anxiety, self harm and suicide, trauma, loss, family dynamics and marginalisation.
At Rivertree Counselling I recognise that asking for help can be a daunting first step and I encourage you to take the time to find the right counsellor for you. To support you in doing this I will offer you a free 20 minute telephone consultation before you decide if you would like us to work together.
I believe that it is our stories that set us apart from all other living things; we all eat, we all drink, we all breathe but humans have stories to tell. Listening without judgement and with empathy is what I will offer you and I recognise it is a privilege that you are willing to share your stories with me.
Availability practicing from The Listening Room:
Thursday afternoons and evenings
Friday afternoons
Session Fee: £45 per 50 minute session
I am a qualified Person-Centred Counsellor and registered member of the BACP. I have a specialist counselling diploma in work with Children and Young People, and over 18 years’ experience supporting young people in education settings and inclusion. I hold a BA(Hons) in Counselling and Psychotherapy and am currently studying an MSc in the Psychology of Mental Health.
I offer individual counselling with young people from the age of 8 upwards and adults of any age. I will work alongside you to help make sense of your experiences and life situations and can use a variety of approaches in consultation with you, to support our work together. You will be able to talk in confidence about thoughts and feelings that may be troubling you in a safe and non-judgemental environment.
I am experienced in counselling for the LGBTQ+ community having counselled for an LGBTQ+ charity for almost four years, where a large proportion of my work has been with transgender and non-binary people. Further areas of experience are anxiety (GAD and Social), depression, self-esteem, sexuality and gender identity, discrimination, loss, family and relationships, trauma, inclusion, self-harm, bullying, ADHD, autism, and neurodiversity
I hold an enhanced DBS Certificate, professional indemnity insurance and ICO registration. I comply with the BACP Ethical Framework and as such, have regular clinical supervision of the work that I do and a commitment to undertaking regular professional development.
I offer a free 15-minute telephone, Teams or Zoom call as an initial consultation. As counselling is relationship based, I recommend you then have an initial session during which we can begin to define what you are looking for in your therapy and so that you can gain an understanding of how we may work together. Following this, you will have an idea of whether we are a good fit, and how you would like your sessions to proceed. Our work, should you choose to move forward will be holistic, Person-Centred and mindful of any goals you have or approaches you would like to engage with.
The Listening Room - Colchester Counselling Service