What is counselling?

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Counselling is a form of talking therapy that helps you to understand and work through emotional difficulties, patterns of thinking, and life challenges.
 

It can help you make sense of what’s happening in your life right now and to develop ways of coping and responding more effectively. Where appropriate, it can also involve a deeper exploration of your childhood and past experiences to help you make sense of long-standing emotional patterns and the underlying factors that continue to influence how you think, feel, and relate to others. Understanding these things can help you to develop acceptance and self compassion, before we can then go on to work on introducing change.

I use the terms ‘counselling’ and ‘therapy’ interchangeably on this website.

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What is an integrative counsellor?
 

An integrative counsellor combines different therapy models to suit your specific needs.

As an integrative counsellor, I draw from psychodynamic, CBT, gestalt, and person-centred counselling approaches, tailoring these to each person’s needs, life experiences, and therapeutic goals.
 

It’s a flexible approach that ensures your therapy is personalized to meet your needs, rather than forcing you into a specific rigid therapeutic framework. Instead, we work in a way that fits you, whether that involves focused support around a specific issue, or deeper therapeutic exploration over time.
 

The aim is always the same: to help you develop greater clarity, self-understanding, self-compassion and – in your own time – make lasting change in a way that feels manageable and relevant to you and your life.

 

What’s the difference between counselling and coaching?
 

Counselling focuses on helping people to deal with psychological distress and to improve their overall mental wellbeing. It offers a safe and non-judgemental space for clients to explore and reflect on different aspects of their past and present life experiences and their inner world, helping them to heal from trauma, grief or mental health challenges.

By contrast, coaching is more action and future oriented, focusing on achieving specific goals or measurable milestones.

As a qualified counsellor and coach, sometimes I integrate counselling and coaching techniques. This might involve, for example, using counselling to process anxiety and difficult emotions around bereavement, together with coaching to build new habits and take practical, tangible steps forward. 
 

Where do you offer in-person counselling?
 

I offer face-to-face counselling in my private and confidential counselling room at home in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire.

Do you offer online counselling?
 

Yes, I offer online therapy across the UK and overseas. Or you can also choose to do a blend of in-person and virtual sessions if you prefer.
 

Do you offer walk-and-talk therapy?
 

Yes. If this is something you’re considering, please get in touch to discuss.

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Do you provide counselling for both adults and young people?

Yes, I offer tailored, age-appropriate integrative counselling for adults and young people, adapting my therapeutic tools and approach to match the unique needs of each individual.

 

Can counselling help me cope with a significant life change?
 

Yes, I help clients navigate major transitions like life-limiting illness, living with pain, career change, or family breakdown.

Life changes can leave us feeling less in control and facing uncertainty, which can be challenging and, at times, debilitating.

I believe that having your thoughts, feelings and experiences heard and validated is an important first step towards finding clarity, strength and hope. Together, we can make sense of your new reality, develop healthy coping strategies, and gradually rebuild your confidence to help you move forward with greater clarity, resilience and self-compassion.

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Do you offer neuroaffirmative therapy for ADHD and Autism?

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Yes, I provide neuroaffirmative therapy for adults and young people online and in Berkhamsted.

My approach focuses on validating your experiences, whether you're seeking emotional support following a diagnosis, or practical strategies to help you navigate everyday life.
 

Together, we can find the right approach for you — exploring things like sensory and emotional needs, communications and relationship challenges, recognising and responding to signs of exhaustion and burnout, and building confidence to advocate for the ‘reasonable adjustments’ you need to thrive in a neurotypical biased world.

 

Can I access ADHD or Autism support without a formal diagnosis?

Yes, you do not need an official medical diagnosis. I understand that for many reasons, not least the very long waiting lists, a diagnosis may not be possible. We’ll focus directly on your lived experience, anxieties, personal strengths and the specific challenges you face daily.

What support do you offer for the aftermath of sexual abuse?

I offer safe, confidential, and respectful therapy for survivors of sexual abuse and trauma. We work at your pace to process trauma, manage triggers, reduce shame, and reclaim your life.

 

What is trauma-informed therapy, and why is it safe?

 

Trauma-informed therapy prioritises your emotional safety and personal choice above everything else.

To prevent re-traumatisation, I will ensure that you never feel forced to share details if you are not ready to do so.

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How can therapy help me process bereavement and complex grief?
 

Bereavement counselling gives you a dedicated, unhurried space to honour your loss and process deep grief.

I support adults and young people through the overwhelming emotional, practical and physical impacts of losing a loved one.

 

Do you offer emotional support for individuals facing a life-limiting illness or pain?

Yes, I provide compassionate counselling and emotional support for those diagnosed with a terminal or chronic, life-limiting illness or condition.

I can help you navigate the complex anxiety, sadness, anger, and grief that you may be experiencing. We can also work on developing healthy coping strategies, challenging unhelpful thoughts patterns and improving communication to advocate to others for your needs.

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How can therapy sessions help with anxiety and depression?
 

Therapy provides a safe and supportive way to understand what is contributing to your anxiety or depression and to begin, when you are ready, to make lasting changes.
 

I combine evidence-based techniques to help calm an overactive nervous system with deeper therapeutic exploration of the underlying causes of your emotional difficulties. This may involve looking at your childhood, significant life experiences, relationships, or other events that have shaped how you feel today.

Together, we'll work to reduce the racing thoughts of anxiety, ease the heaviness and exhaustion that often come with depression, and help you develop practical strategies to regulate your emotions.

My aim is not only to help you feel better in the short term, but also to gain a deeper understanding of yourself, so you can move forward with greater confidence, resilience, and self-compassion.

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How much are your fees?
 

My fees are £65 for a 50-minute session.

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What happens in the first therapy session?
 

The first therapy session is primarily about getting to know each other and checking that you feel comfortable working together. Research consistently shows that trust and a strong therapeutic relationship are the strongest predictors of successful counselling, so I take this seriously.
 

I'll ask about what's bringing you to therapy now, your personal background, family history, any previous counselling you've had, and what you'd like to achieve. We'll also go through the brief pre-counselling questionnaire you complete beforehand, clarifying anything that needs expanding.

If you're new to counselling, opening up to someone unfamiliar can feel daunting. If you've had therapy before, you might not relish going through your history again. Both responses are entirely normal. By being open about these feelings is always helpful as it means we can shape that first session so it actually works for you.

There’s no need to prepare what to say or to “remember everything”. Just be who you are. 

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​​​​​​​​​​​Contact

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You can contact me by emailing helen@helenrognaldsen.co.uk or calling 07736 199230. Or fill in the form below.

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