Welcome to Sykes Therapy
Welcome. I'm Abi, a fully qualified Psychotherapeutic Counsellor, working with an integrative approach. This means I can draw on various skills and techniques, enabling me to tailor sessions to best meet your needs, keeping you at the centre of the work. I have clinical counselling experience working within a cancer centre, and with 11-18 year olds within an educational setting. I offer sessions both in-person and online, based in Buckingham. I currently work with adults and young people aged 11+.
About me
I aim to create a relaxed, safe and non-judgemental space, for you to bring whatever feels significant for you during counselling. To meet you with empathy, curiosity, understanding, and a sense of feeling held throughout the process. I work with an awareness of the importance to have a space where you can share your innermost thoughts, feelings and processes with another human being, without the fear of judgement or a sense of trying to be fixed. Supporting you as an equal, to explore and navigate your own way to finding what works for you moving forward.
I can offer counselling sessions either in-person or online to suit your needs. In-person sessions are held in Buckingham.
I hold a Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling, and am currently undertaking a Level 6 Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People. I hold an enhanced DBS and am a registered member of the BACP.
What is counselling and how can it help?
Counselling with me will provide you with the space to reflect on, explore, and make sense of whatever has been troubling you. Whether that be life events that have been difficult for you, or day-to-day struggles resulting in stress, anxiety or depression. It could even be something from the past, that is impacting your life in the present. Together, we can safely explore what is going on for you and how it might be affecting different aspects of your life, such as relationships, work, school, communication and both physical and mental health.
Talking to family and friends can prove difficult if they are involved in the issues too. Having time to talk to a counsellor that is outside of the situation, can help you to better understand yourself, feel less alone, truly heard, understood, and sometimes offer a different perspective. All these things can help you to gain a much clearer sense of your needs and empower you to find your own solutions along the way.
As a predominantly Person-centred counsellor, I hold a firm belief that you are your own expert on your life, and I will be here alongside you to offer that support and exploration within the safety of the therapeutic relationship. I won’t offer you advice, but rather work with you to explore your own resources and experiences at your own pace. Drawing on my integrative models of Transactional Analysis and Gestalt this might look like, talking, exploring communication and relationship patterns, body work, creative work, or looking at parts of self.
Counselling can be a space for many things.....
- An opportunity to openly explore and process things, without judgement.
- A space to show up just as you are, with no expectations of how you ‘should’ be.
- A chance to pause… take time out from the demands of life, check in with yourself and your body. What do you need?
- An opportunity to experiment with relational interactions that might feel intimidating in ‘real life’ – such as setting boundaries or voicing your needs.
- A time to reflect - not only on struggles, but on achievements, recognising and celebrating them together.
- A place to explore boundaries, goals, life direction, brainstorm ideas, navigate change - whatever you need in the moment.
- A chance to share memories and experiences that are important or special to you.
- A place to be creative (only if you want to), sometimes words can be difficult to find, or can’t fully express what you might be feeling.
- A safe space to process major life events such as, bereavement, loss, illness, a relationship breakdown, or a traumatic event.
What issues can counselling help with?
I have experience supporting clients with:
anxiety
grief & loss
bereavement
existential issues
life-limiting illness
neurodiversity
self-harm
low self-esteem
sexuality
PTSD
relationship difficulties
loss of identity
trauma
suicidal thoughts
depression
narcissistic abuse
burnout
anger
exploring life direction
My location
In-person counselling sessions are available on Mondays and Thursdays between 9:00am and 8:30pm. The room is located in Buckingham Town Centre which is easily accessible from the surrounding areas such as Winslow, Milton Keynes, Bicester, Brackley and Towcester. Please note that the room is situated on the first floor with access via a flight of stairs.
Online counselling sessions are available on Wednesdays between 9:00am - 3:00pm via Zoom. If you would like to find out more or book an initial session, please do get in touch.
Fees
Counselling sessions last 50 minutes and are charged at £55. In-person sessions are held in Buckingham.
If you would like to find out more about counselling with me, or would like to book an initial session, please do get in touch.
Get in touch
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how counselling works, or to arrange an initial session.
I strongly believe that the relationship between counsellor and client is paramount. It is important to feel comfortable and connected, which is why I offer a free no obligation 15-minute phone consultation, where we can discuss what support you feel you need, what I am able to offer, and answer any questions you may have.
If this is something you might be interested in, please contact me via the contact form to arrange a suitable day and time.