Your Free Initial Consultation

Taking the first step towards counselling can feel daunting, especially if you are unsure what to expect or whether counselling is right for you. That is why I offer a free 25-minute initial consultation, giving us an opportunity to meet, talk and see whether working together feels right for you.

During our first meeting, you can tell me a little about what has brought you to counselling and what you hope might change or become easier. I may ask a few questions to help me understand your circumstances and what support might be helpful. You will also have time to ask me questions about counselling, how I work and anything else you would like to know.

There is no pressure to share more than you feel comfortable with, and you do not need to have everything figured out before we meet. You might be feeling anxious, uncertain or even sceptical about counselling. That is absolutely fine.

If we decide that further sessions could be helpful, we can discuss how we might work together, including the format, frequency and timing of sessions. I offer face-to-face counselling in Cheltenham and Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, as well as online sessions across the UK.

Regular counselling sessions last 50 minutes and cost £50 per session. There is no obligation to continue after the initial consultation. It is important that you feel comfortable with me and that the way I work feels right for you.

Whether you are a young person, a student, a young adult, or a parent or carer looking for support, you are welcome to get in touch.

Ready to take the first step?

Book your free 25-minute initial consultation

Online Counselling Across the UK

A space to talk, wherever you are

Sometimes it is easier to talk about what is happening in your life when you are in a familiar place. Online counselling allows you to speak with me from the comfort and privacy of your own home, without having to travel to an appointment.

I’m Denis, an integrative counsellor offering online counselling across the UK, as well as face-to-face counselling in Cheltenham and the Cotswolds.

You might be struggling with anxiety, stress, low mood, relationships, family difficulties, confidence or changes in your life. Perhaps you are a teenager finding school difficult, a student adjusting to college or university, a young adult feeling uncertain about the future, or a parent looking for support for your child.

Whatever has brought you here, you don’t need to have all the answers before we begin. My aim is to offer a warm, supportive and non-judgemental space where you can talk openly, make sense of things and explore what might help.

What is online counselling like?

Online counselling takes place through a video call, allowing us to see and hear each other as we would in a counselling room.

You don’t need to be experienced with technology. I’ll explain how we will connect and help you get started. We can take things at a pace that feels comfortable for you.

You also don’t need to know exactly what to say. Some people arrive with a clear idea of what they want to discuss, while others feel confused, nervous or unsure where to begin. We can work that out together.

Can online counselling be helpful?

Online counselling can provide an opportunity to build a trusting relationship, explore difficult feelings and work towards changes that matter to you. Research suggests that video-based therapy can be effective for many people, although its suitability depends on individual needs and circumstances.

For some people, talking from home feels more comfortable than visiting a counselling room. For others, face-to-face sessions feel more natural. What matters is finding an approach that works for you.

The benefits of online counselling

• Convenience: Attend sessions without travelling to Cheltenham or elsewhere in the Cotswolds.

• Flexibility: Access counselling from home or another suitable private space.

• Continuity: Continue sessions when travelling or when getting to an appointment is difficult.

• A familiar setting: You can choose a space where you feel comfortable and able to talk privately.

You will need a reliable internet connection, a device with a camera and microphone, and somewhere private where you are unlikely to be interrupted. Headphones can also help with privacy.

How much does online counselling cost?

My regular counselling sessions last 50 minutes and cost £50 per session.

I also offer a free 25-minute initial consultation. This gives us an opportunity to meet, discuss what has brought you to counselling, ask questions and decide whether working together feels right for you.

There is no obligation to continue after the initial consultation.

How do online sessions work?

We will agree on a suitable appointment time and use Zoom for our video sessions. I’ll provide the joining details before your appointment.

Please try to find a quiet, private place and position your device so that you can sit comfortably without holding it throughout the session.

If we experience technical difficulties, I’ll try to reconnect. If we cannot continue the video call, we can discuss an alternative way to proceed.

Online counselling requires a suitable level of privacy and a setting where you can speak safely. During our initial consultation, we can discuss whether online sessions are appropriate for your circumstances and what support might best meet your needs.

Online counselling is not an emergency or crisis service. If you are in immediate danger, call 999 or attend your nearest A&E department. If you need urgent mental health support, you can contact NHS 111 and select the mental health option where available. Samaritans can also be contacted free on 116 123, day or night.

Book your free initial consultation

If you are considering counselling but aren’t sure whether it is right for you, we can start with a conversation.

I offer a free 25-minute initial consultation so that we can meet, talk about what you are looking for and consider how I might help.

Book your free initial consultation

Acorn Therapy offers face-to-face counselling in Cheltenham and the Cotswolds, alongside online counselling for clients across the UK. 

Individual Counselling in Cheltenham and the Cotswolds

At Acorn Therapy, I offer individual counselling in Cheltenham and the Cotswolds, as well as online counselling across the UK. My aim is to provide a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space where you can talk about what is happening in your life and begin to make sense of things.

You might be struggling with anxiety, stress, low mood, relationships, family difficulties, confidence or a change in your life. I work with teenagers, students, young adults and adults, and I also support parents and carers who are looking for help for their children.

What is individual counselling?

Individual counselling gives you time and space to explore your thoughts, feelings and experiences with someone who will listen without judging you. It can help you understand yourself better, work through difficult experiences, explore patterns in your life and consider changes that might help you move forward.

As an integrative counsellor, I adapt my approach to your individual needs. You do not have to know exactly what to say or have everything worked out before you begin. We can take things at your pace, and you do not have to talk about anything before you feel ready.

Working together

Counselling is a collaborative process. We work together to understand what is troubling you and what you would like to be different. You do not need to arrive feeling confident or ready to make big changes. Sometimes, the first step is simply having somewhere to talk and being able to understand what you are going through.

Building trust and feeling comfortable with your counsellor are important parts of this process. My role is to listen, help you explore your experiences and support you in finding a way forward that feels right for you.

Getting started

I offer a free 25-minute initial consultation so that we can meet, discuss what has brought you to counselling and answer any questions you may have. It is also an opportunity for us to consider whether working together feels right for you. There is no obligation to continue.

If you decide to go ahead, we can agree on suitable appointment times and how frequently we meet.

Regular counselling sessions last 50 minutes and cost £50 per session.

If you would like to explore whether counselling could help, you are welcome to book your free initial consultation.

Counselling for Teenagers and Young People in Cheltenham and the Cotswolds

Is your teenager struggling, and are you unsure how best to help?

Parenting a teenager can be challenging, particularly when your child seems withdrawn, anxious, angry or unwilling to talk. You may have tried to reassure them, negotiate boundaries or find solutions, but nothing seems to be helping. Perhaps you are worried about their emotional wellbeing, friendships, behaviour or difficulties at school, and you are not sure what to do next.

Family changes, separation, stepfamily relationships and the pressures of growing up can affect both young people and the people who care for them. It can be exhausting trying to support your teenager while managing your own worries.

You do not have to work everything out on your own.

At Acorn Therapy, I offer counselling for teenagers and young adults in Cheltenham and the Cotswolds, as well as online counselling across the UK. I also welcome parents and carers who would like to explore how best to support a young person who may be finding life difficult.

How can counselling help your teenager?

Growing up brings changes, expectations and pressures that can sometimes feel overwhelming. Young people may struggle to explain what is happening inside, even when they are finding things difficult.

Some become quieter and withdraw from family or friends. Others may express their distress through anger, challenging behaviour, difficulties at school or a loss of confidence. A young person who appears unmotivated or difficult may be struggling with feelings they do not yet know how to express.

Counselling offers a young person time and space to explore what is happening without feeling judged or pressured to have all the answers. It can help them understand their feelings, build confidence, work through difficult experiences and discover healthier ways of managing challenges.

My aim is to help young people feel heard and understood, recognise their strengths and find their own ways forward.

What difficulties can counselling help with?

I work with teenagers and young adults who may be experiencing:

• Anxiety and emotional wellbeing: anxiety, panic, stress, low mood, loneliness and worries about the future.

• Confidence and identity: low self-esteem, shyness, perfectionism, body image, identity and difficulty expressing feelings.

• Friendships and relationships: bullying, cyberbullying, peer pressure, difficulty making friends and relationship difficulties.

• School, college and university: exam stress, performance anxiety, school-related difficulties, pressure to achieve and transitions into further education.

• Family and life changes: bereavement, separation, divorce, adoption, fostering, stepfamily relationships and changes at home.

• Behaviour and emotional regulation: anger, withdrawal, feeling overwhelmed and difficulties managing strong emotions.

• Culture and belonging: racism, cultural differences, migration, family expectations and questions about where they fit in.

• Difficult or distressing experiences: loss, trauma, neglect and other experiences that may be affecting their sense of safety or wellbeing.

Every young person is different. They do not need to fit a particular description or have a diagnosis to benefit from having someone to talk to.

My approach to counselling young people

I understand that talking to someone new about personal difficulties can feel uncomfortable, particularly for a teenager who has not chosen counselling themselves or is unsure whether it will help.

I aim to create a warm, accepting and non-judgemental space where young people can gradually build trust and feel more comfortable being themselves. I listen carefully and work at their pace, without expecting them to talk about things before they feel ready.

My approach is integrative and person-centred, which means I adapt the way we work to the individual young person rather than expecting everyone to respond to the same approach.

Talking is one way of working, but it is not the only way. Depending on their age, interests and needs, we might use drawing, creative activities, stories, music or other practical ways to explore thoughts and feelings. Some young people prefer simply to talk, while others find it easier to express themselves through activities.

With around nine years of counselling experience and a background of 15 years in youth work, alongside experience supporting young people in school settings, I understand that there is no single approach that works for everyone.

My aim is to help each young person feel listened to, develop a better understanding of themselves and find ways of managing life that feel more manageable.

Counselling for parents and carers

You may be looking for counselling for your teenager, but you may also need space to talk about your own concerns as a parent or carer.

If you are struggling with communication, boundaries, family tensions or uncertainty about how to help, we can discuss what support might be appropriate. Where counselling for your child is being considered, we can talk about the arrangements and the importance of giving the young person an appropriate degree of privacy and independence.

For younger clients, we can discuss how parents or carers may be involved at the beginning and, where appropriate, during the counselling process.

Counselling in Cheltenham, the Cotswolds and online

I offer face-to-face counselling in Cheltenham and the Cotswolds, with online counselling available across the UK.

Regular sessions last 50 minutes and cost £50. Before committing to counselling, you can book a free 25-minute initial consultation. This gives us an opportunity to meet, discuss what support you are looking for and ask any questions you may have. There is no obligation to continue.

If you are worried about your teenager, or you are a young person looking for someone to talk to, you are welcome to get in touch.

Book a free 25-minute initial consultation to explore whether Acorn Therapy might be right for you.

Could Counselling Help You? | Cheltenham, the Cotswolds and Online UK

When things don’t feel quite right

Taking the first step towards counselling isn’t always easy. You might feel embarrassed, nervous or unsure whether your difficulties are serious enough to talk to someone about. Perhaps you are used to dealing with things yourself, or you are worried about what someone else might think.

Sometimes we know exactly what is troubling us. At other times, we simply know that something doesn’t feel right.

You might have tried talking to friends, going for walks, exercising, reading, keeping busy or doing the things that usually help you feel better. But lately, these things don’t seem to help in the same way, or the relief doesn’t last.

Perhaps you are feeling more anxious, irritable or overwhelmed than usual. Things that once felt manageable may now take more effort, and you might find yourself withdrawing from people, losing interest in things you enjoy or worrying more than you used to.

You don’t need to wait until things become unbearable before seeking support. Sometimes, having a space to talk can help you understand what is happening and begin to find a way forward.

How might counselling help?

I’m Denis, an integrative counsellor at Acorn Therapy. I offer counselling in Cheltenham and the Cotswolds, as well as online counselling across the UK.

I provide a warm, confidential and non-judgemental space where you can talk about what is happening in your life, explore difficult feelings and make sense of experiences that may be weighing on you.

You don’t have to arrive knowing what you need to change or even knowing exactly how you feel. We can take things at your pace and work together to explore what matters to you.

Counselling may help if you are experiencing anxiety, stress, low mood, anger, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, grief, trauma or uncertainty about the future. It can also be helpful when you are facing a change in your life or simply feel that you have lost your sense of direction.

Could any of these experiences sound familiar?

You may find counselling helpful if:

• You feel easily frustrated or find yourself overreacting to everyday stresses.

• Worries keep going round in your mind, even when you try to put them aside.

• You feel low, overwhelmed, restless or unusually emotional.

• You have lost interest in activities or things you previously enjoyed.

• Everyday tasks feel harder than they used to.

• You struggle with sleep, motivation or concentrating.

• You find yourself withdrawing from friends, family or other people.

• Relationships have become more difficult, or you feel misunderstood.

• You are struggling with confidence, self-esteem or decisions about your future.

• You are going through a difficult experience but don’t feel able to talk openly about it with people close to you.

These experiences can have many causes. They don’t necessarily mean that you have a mental health condition, and you don’t need a diagnosis to seek counselling.

Sometimes we need rest, practical support or a change in our circumstances. At other times, talking with someone outside our usual circle can help us see things differently and understand what we might need.

When other people are worried about you

Sometimes it is the people around us who first notice that we are struggling. Friends, family members or colleagues might ask if we are okay, express concern about changes in our behaviour or tell us that our relationships are becoming strained.

It can be difficult to hear these things, especially when we are already under pressure. You might feel misunderstood, criticised or unsure how to respond.

Counselling offers an opportunity to explore what is happening from your perspective, understand your feelings and consider how your actions and relationships affect you and others. The aim isn’t to blame you or take someone else’s side. It is to help you gain a clearer understanding of yourself and decide what you would like to do differently, if anything.

You don’t have to wait for a crisis or for someone else to suggest counselling before asking for support.

Who do I work with?

At Acorn Therapy, I work with teenagers, college and university students, young adults and adults. I also support parents and carers who are concerned about a young person’s emotional wellbeing.

I understand that people experience difficulties in different ways. Some find it easy to talk about their feelings, while others need more time to feel comfortable. My approach is flexible and person-centred, and we can explore what works best for you.

With around nine years of counselling experience and 15 years of youth work, including experience supporting young people in school settings, I bring an understanding of the pressures that can affect young people and families, as well as the wider challenges people face at different stages of life.

Taking the first step

You don’t need to be certain that counselling is right for you before getting in touch.

I offer a free 25-minute initial consultation so that we can meet, talk about what has brought you here and answer any questions you may have. There is no obligation to continue if you decide that counselling isn’t right for you at this time.

Regular counselling sessions last 50 minutes and cost £50 per session.

If you would like to talk about what has been happening in your life, you are welcome to book your free initial consultation.

Acorn Therapy offers counselling in Cheltenham and the Cotswolds, with online sessions available across the UK.

I offer affordable private counselling in Taunton and mental health support for students to help you gain understanding and insight into any struggles you may be experiencing, to develop emotional resilience and put into effect real change, enabling you to fulfil your academic and personal potential.

 I am experienced in helping young adults and students dealing with:

• Unemployment/ underemployment
• Relationships, sex and sexual identity
• Depression / anxiety / stress
• Drug and alcohol abuse
• Financial concerns
• Work related problems
• Illness / disability
• Family breakdown
• Pregnancy
• Violence
• Low self-esteem/confidence
• Criminal activity / involvement in the criminal justice system