Rate Charlotte Houghton

Thank you for taking the time to look at my profile.

I’m trained in Person (or client)-Centred counselling and Acceptance and commitment therapy. I am generally direct and precise with my language, I find it helps me to be easily understood. I bring my personality into sessions, am pretty unfazed by most things but do have an expressive face, share lived experiences and bring humour into the room if it’s appropriate, I have a visual mind and will share things, for example “you’re mind is really beating yourself up, I can almost see a little boxer pummeling your brain….”

I am open, honest, warm, non-judgemental and meet you where you are and walk with you on your path while we unpick the issues that are troubling you. I will not tell you what to do, but will empower you to reach your own decisions and make the changes you would like to.

My style is influenced by my experience of working with those bereaved by suicide or sudden death, where kindness, acceptance, asking direct questions and bringing underlying feelings into the open allows clients to move towards acceptance of their life as it is now, so they can move forward without so many conflicting thoughts and feelings.

In my practice, I enjoy exploring links with adult behaviours, thoughts or feelings to childhood experiences, whether they are negative or positive, as once we have the awareness of why we react a certain way, we can work on it.

Experience:

I am used to working with raw grief from people in the first few weeks after a sudden death or suspected suicide, and everything that brings with it.

Have lived experience of a family member with autism and ADHD and everything that brings.

Have a special interest in parenting issues, and the journey to parenthood.

I have successfully worked with:

~ clients whose country of origin were all over the world, and English was not their first language;

~ clients of all major religions, spiritualists and those who have no beliefs;

~ clients of all genders and ages 18 and over;

~ worked with neurodivergent, LGBTQIA+ and non-binary clients.

Have experience and training for counselling people that live with MS (Multiple Sclerosis) and understand the anxiety and worries a long-term medical diagnosis can bring.

For me, I see every client as a unique individual and being respectful, non-judgemental, open and honest is key to the counselling relationship working.

I read and reply to emails and send worksheets outside of the session times listed especially for email-only clients as I have found that the flexible approach to working is mutually beneficial. I also offer live sessions starting at 7pm in the evenings a few days a week to fit in with people's busy lives and have daytime sessions available on a Monday and Thursday so hope you find a time that works for you.

It takes courage to admit that you could do with an independent and trained person to talk to, so be proud of yourself for taking this step to a more fulfilling and happier life. If you are ready to take that first step, I am here to support and empower you.

I look forward to working with you!