Hello, I'm Nicola and this is what you can expect from me
A Responsive, Personal Approach
When you reach out — whether by email, text, or phone — I’ll do my best to arrange your first session within just a few days. I take pride in building lasting client relationships, and much of my work comes from returning clients, referrals from fellow professionals and former clients who have found real value in our work together.
My Experience
I have spent over a decade supporting adults, children, and young people through a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and low self-esteem.
I’ve worked within several charities delivering NHS-commissioned services. I spent many years working with LGBT+ clients and those newly diagnosed or living with HIV , worked in schools supporting children who have been affected by domestic violence as well as working on general mental health issues faced by people of all ages giving me a broad understanding of the different issues people face at every stage of life.
I have extensive experience supporting neurodiverse clients.
Whatever you bring to therapy, you’ll find I offer experience, empathy, and a genuine commitment to helping you move forward.
What Sets Me Apart
I bring a unique mix of professional skill and real-life experience. I’m bright, funny, relaxed, gentle, spiritual (but not religious), strong, down-to-earth, flexible, direct, and just a little bit of a quiet rebel. I'm also a proud mother and grandmother.
My own life journey has shaped the way I work: with honesty, compassion, strength, and an unwavering belief in the potential for change and healing.
My Promise to You
You will find that I genuinely care about you as a person — not just as a set of issues or symptoms. My approach is warm, compassionate, confident, and always tailored to your individual needs.
Professional Standards
I am a registered member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) and fully adhere to its Code of Ethics. I undertake regular professional supervision, hold an enhanced DBS certificate, and complete a minimum of 30 hours of CPD (Continuous Professional Development) each year to keep my skills and knowledge fresh.
Get in touch today to arrange a free 15 minute telephone consultation to discuss your needs and give us both a chance to see if we feel like a good fit. I look forward to meeting you.
Recognize. Understand. Change.
Integrative Counselling
I chose to train in integrative counselling because I wanted a whole 'toolbox' of ways to help clients get the best results in the shortest time.
I use a combination of different counselling models to suit each client’s individual needs.
The most important thing is the therapeutic relationship, and I use person-centred skills of empathy, congruence and unconditional positive regard along with my natural people skills to help quickly establish the relationship and allow the work to begin.
Between us we will identify the changes you'd like to make and from there I'll intuitively select the interventions that will be most helpful to you.
This might be CBT worksheets, techniques to be used both in the sessions and at home or psychoeducation. It might be working psychodynamically i.e. looking at how your past is affecting you in the present. It could involve relaxation techniques or some Neuro-linguistic programming or mindfulness.
Testimonials
A selection of testimonials from a varity of clients
Retiree, 67
‘I saw Nicola for six sessions, and she was absolutely brilliant with me.
I attended my first session with very low self-esteem, confidence issues, relationship issues and historic issues to deal with. I was severely depressed at that point.
After just six sessions I can honestly say that I’ve turned things around and I’mmost definitely heading in the right direction again.
She has given me the tools to move forward with a more positive mindset. .Nicola works subtly but concisely and gives “homework” that really makesyou think about how you feel and why.
Before I knew it, my negative thoughts became positive ones and that’s what we all want and need, a positive outcome.
I would 100% recommend Nicola to anyone experiencing any problems… she’s a star!’
Services manager, 38
I've been working with Nic through a range of challenging life experiences that affected my emotional well-being, and it's been transformative.
Highly recommend finding an integrative therapist and you won't find better than Nic. Also absolute bonus getting time & cuddles with Pudding the therapy dog included!
Financial advisor,41
'I have seen other therapists in the past and chose this time to work with an integrative therapist.
I have found Nicola to be much more proactive in her sessions to help me overcome issues that were impacting my mindset and how I cope with problems. She is down to earth, non-judgemental and easy to be yourself with.
Over the last 7 sessions Nicola has helped me immensely to building my self-esteem, resilience and overcoming a period of depression.
Former colleague
'I know, without hesitation, that you are the person who will walk with those who are ready to take the journey to see these parts of themselves. The weak bits that run away in fear, the traumas that hunt down and devour peace, the anger that keeps happiness behind bars. You are the person who is brave enough to stand by your clients’ side and help them to forgive their weakness, strengthen their peace and reconcile their anger.
You don’t just talk about making the world a better place, you actually go out and make a real difference.
Operational
manager, 29
I came across Nicola's profile when searching for someone to talk to about my anxiety.
What drew me to contacting Nicola was due to the extensive experience detailed on her profile as well as the fact that her dog Pudding would also be present in the therapy sessions.
Nicola is incredibly welcoming and instantly made me feel at ease.
My experience was nothing but positive and I left each session feeling more clear about the direction I wanted the therapy to go.
Nicola was able to provide me with tools to overcome a number of my anxieties and feel more positive in myself. I would highly recommend Nicola to anyone wanting to start therapy.
'
Nurse, 36
Nicola has helped me a lot when I was going through a difficult time in my life.
Excellent listener but also guided me appropriately at the right moments.
Nicola is so easy to open up to, being so relaxed, open minded and non-judgemental. Laughter played quite a big part in our sessions, which really helped me at different times.
She's a good person, who really does care. Would definitely recommend Nicola, she is a fantastic support.’
Testimonials from children and their parents
'Emily' age 9
Pudding in the room helped me to relax. I really like dogs and stroking Pudding would help me to feel less stressed.
Even if you don't like dogs she is so friendly, calm and cute you will really be helped by her magic doggy powers
Mother of 'Charlotte' age 12
Nic was wonderful with my 12-year-old daughter who had been suffering sudden and extreme anxiety.
Pudding was a big draw and a big hit, but my daughter really clicked with Nic too. Nic’s style is a great mix of informal and very ‘definite’ - she said we’d only need a few sessions and then my daughter would be good to go, and she sent her off with the tools which have been working really well.
Five weeks with Nic really helped my daughter, at a very tough time for her. I gather there were lots of laughs too!
Father of 'Emily' aged 9
Pudding is truly special. I'm not sure if it was Pudding or Nicola that realised I would benefit from some counselling as well. What I do know is that Pudding would run over to me and would instantly start to make me feel more positive.
The benefits of animal therapy is something that has interested me for years, however, experiencing it first hand was really amazing. It is Pudding's adorable, calm nature that can't help but put you at ease. I felt I could open up to Nicola more as a result. Pudding and Nicola make a great team.
If I feel I need support in the future I will be straight back to Pudding and Nicola. Pud breaks down the barriers to opening up then Nicola gives you the tools to cope with your difficulties.'
Let's work together on your future.
If you are ready to take the first step in a new direction, get in touch with me.
I will support you in overcoming your challenges, improving your relationships, breaking negative patterns in thinking and
behaviour and raising your self-esteem.