Individual counselling in Harrogate and York
Hello and welcome
In our lives we can all go through times that can feel overwhelming or difficult to manage. If you're reading this you may feel that this is where you're at now, or have been for a while. You may just be curious about therapy and wanting to understand yourself better. I know it can take courage to seek counselling and choosing the right therapist can seem daunting. Let me tell you a bit about myself and my approach to hopefully make the process a bit clearer for you.
HOW COUNSELLING CAN HELP
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Counselling offers a supportive environment where you can explore your emotions, gain insight into your challenges and find a way to move forward. Whether you're struggling with a specific issue or wanting to develop deeper understanding of yourself it can help you make meaningful change in your life. It can help you look at what has brought you to counselling from angles that you may not have considered and find ways forward that were hidden before.
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Safe space to explore your emotions
Talking to a counsellor can help you to make sense of your emotional patterns. It is a safe space where you can just be yourself and express your feelings without the fear of judgement or misunderstanding. ​
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Improve your self-esteem and confidence
When life gets overwhelming it can impact your confidence and self-esteem. Counselling can help you re-connect with your own strengths and develop ​new ones. It helps you gain a deeper self-awareness and develop a more positive self-image.
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Improve your relationships
Counselling can help you to explore and better understand your relational patterns and how your feelings and behaviors influence these. This awareness can help you set healthy boundaries, improve your communication and build stronger and healthier relationships.
Develop healthier coping mechanisms
Over a period of time we can all develop unhealthy coping strategies. Counselling can help you identify these and then work on replacing them with ones that are healthier and more constructive.
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About me
I am a fully qualified and insured counsellor and a registered member of the BACP. After getting a business degree, an experience working as a volunteer and then in support work motivated me to train to become a mental health nurse at York University. I have spent over 25 years working in mental health. This included many years as a mental health nurse. I have helped support people experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, eating disorders and self-harm amongst many other issues. For a number of years I specialised in addiction nursing, supporting people with substance and behavioral addictions. It was my time in nursing that inspired me to train as a counsellor and set up Nigel Turner Counselling and Psychotherapy.
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My passion has always been to challenge the stigma attached to mental health. My personal and professional experience has taught me that mental and emotional health problems can happen to anyone. When they do it can feel isolating and overwhelming. I believe that counselling can be a powerful space to find meaning, understanding and a way forward.
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I have experience dealing with a wide range of issues. I have a particular interest in helping people who are dealing with loss in all its forms. This could be bereavement, loss of role or identity, relationship breakdown or any life change beyond your control.
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I also have an interest and experience in helping people struggling with substance or behavioral addictions. Also those whose life has been impacted by the addictions of others.
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QUALIFICATIONS
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BA (Hons) Business and Marketing
BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing
Level 4 Diploma therapeutic counselling
Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
About my approach
There are many reasons why people seek counselling. For example you may be feeling anxious, confused or overwhelmed by life events. You may have experienced a loss that you are struggling to cope with or understand. You may be stuck in patterns that you're finding difficult to change or struggling to set healthy boundaries in your life. You may be experiencing feelings of shame.
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I understand how hard it can be to reach out for support and talk about confusing and painful feelings. That is why I offer a space that is trusting, non-judgemental and safe. One where you can feel heard, understood and accepted.
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I am fully qualified counsellor with a background in mental health nursing. I appreciate that everyone's needs are different and my approach is an integrative one. This simply means that I tailor the way we work together, bringing in various approaches, to meet your own unique needs and circumstances. I offer a space where you can explore your experiences, process emotions, gain understanding and begin to find a way forward. I will help you to challenge whatever is getting in your way, identify unhealthy patterns, explore what change you would like to see and how to achieve this. We will work together to empower you to move from feeling stuck to creating lasting change.
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I see the counselling relationship as a collaborative one. One where I work alongside you and where I get to know the real you. Supporting you to explore what has brought you to counselling and make choices that are right for you.
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Next steps
If you're interested in going forward with counselling with me, these are the next steps for you to consider:
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You can contact me by email or phone and we can arrange an initial free 15 minute telephone consultation. Here we can discuss what you need from counselling and help you decide whether I am a good fit for you. It gives us an opportunity to see what it might look like to work together.
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Going forward each session will last 50 minutes and cost £60 per session. I have a limited number of spaces for reduced fees for those on low incomes or students. Please ask me on initial contact about this.
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I offer sessions face-to-face, online and by telephone. Whichever suits you best. The face-to-face sessions take place on Victoria Avenue in Harrogate. Please ask about current availability. I also offer face-to-face sessions at Bootham in York on Tuesdays.
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The number of sessions we have is open-ended.This means the therapy can go on for as long as you feel you need it. The frequency of sessions is also your choice. Some people prefer weekly sessions, at least initially, whilst others prefer more space between. We'll work at your pace.
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Get in touch
Phone (call or text):
Address:
My counselling rooms are situated on Victoria Avenue in Harrogate. They are only a 5 minute walk from the train and bus station in the town centre.
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5 Victoria Avenue
Harrogate
HG1 1EQ
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FACE-TO-FACE SESSIONS IN YORK
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I also offer face-to-face sessions at Bootham in York on Tuesdays. Click here for my availability and to book an appointment with me. Sessions are 50 minutes:
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​https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=17610524
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