About Samantha@Candlewood Counselling Experienced counsellor in Newton Abbot
About my approach to counselling..
I’ve read many words written in books, on websites, in articles, about what counselling is, and how it can potentially help people. And whilst some of this has definitely coloured my thinking about how I practise, my experiences as a counsellor, working with real people, with real problems, continues to be the thing that most influences and shapes the way I work. For me, the foundation of a strong therapeutic relationship is an authentic human connection – the pathway that creates this connection, is empathy.
Empathy: a path from isolation to connection
‘Empathy’ can mean different things to different people, but the following lines capture what it means for me:
“Empathy is about finding echoes of another person in yourself”
— Mohsin Hamid
Source: Success Magazine
This makes sense to me, because I believe a strong therapeutic relationship is founded on my willingness to view the world through your eyes, to sense how it might feel for you, and then to walk beside you whilst you work through what’s troubling you.
We are all unique — shaped by our individual hopes, fears, and stories. Yet we also share some fundamental human needs: to be heard, understood, and accepted.
My aim is to offer the space and conditions where you feel truly seen, heard, and supported, within a trusting therapeutic relationship. From this foundation, we can gently explore the deeper layers beneath your thoughts and feelings, and consider what may need to shift. Together, we can begin to take steps toward a more fulfilling, connected, and meaningful way of living.
About How We'll Work Together
I’m Samantha, an experienced, integrative counsellor in private practice in Newton Abbot, offering face-to-face and online therapy.
Choosing the right counsellor can feel like a bit of a minefield, but it’s the first step on the way to finding the support you’re looking for. So, here’s some more information about me that might help you to decide if I sound like a good fit for you.
Integrative Approach to Counselling
As an integrative counsellor, I’ve been trained in a number of different counselling approaches, which I combine and adapt to suit what we think you need.
I work in a person-centred way, meaning I see our relationship as central to the counselling process- you are the expert in your own life, and my role is to meet you with openness, honesty and without judgement — to truly see and hear you, so that you feel understood.
It’s a collaborative way of working, rooted in compassion, curiosity and respect for your lived experience-these are the foundations of a therapeutic relationship that can help you with whatever you’re facing.
Over time, I hope you’ll gain a sense of me as the real person behind the ‘counsellor’ label, just as I’ll look to help discover and celebrate the authentic ‘you’.
Feeling Comfortable
Sometimes it can take a while to feel comfortable with the counselling process, and, for a range of reasons, it can feel risky to open up in counselling. I understand this, so together, we’ll focus on what feels most important for you to explore, at a pace, and in ways that feel ok for you. To find out more about specific areas I can help with, click here.
Professional Snapshot
I’m a fully qualified, experienced counsellor working in private practice in Newton Abbot and online. I’m a registered member of both the BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy)and NCPS, ( National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society) and adhere to their professional and ethical guidelines I’m fully insured and trained, and hold a Level 4 Advanced Diploma in Counselling. I receive on-going clinical supervision, and regularly update my practice through CPD and additional further training.
Qualifications, Additional Training and CPD
NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills
Level 4 Advanced Diploma In Counselling ( NCPS Accred)
Neurodiversity
- Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy with Autism and ADHD clients
- Counselling ADHD
Trauma
- Putting Polyvagal Theory Into Practice: Creating safety and Connection with Trauma Clients
- Working with Relational Trauma: disorganised attachment
- Attachment: development of identity in childhood
- Impact of Anxious Attachment
- Avoiding Secondary Trauma
- Using Trauma-Informed Grounding Techniques
Grief
- Talking with Bereaved people
- Applying Theories of Grief to Practice
- How Adverse Circumstances Can Complicated grief
Domestic Abuse
- Level 3 Domestic Violence Awareness
- Domestic Abuse Awareness
- Working with Survivors of Domestic Abuse and Violence
- Creative Ways of Healing Trauma of Domestic Abuse and Violence
- Working with Eating Disorders
Other
Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling
Access to Therapy for Older adults
Who I work with- What I help with
I work with 18+ clients, and have experience in supporting clients with a wide range of concerns, some of which include:
- Anxiety and Depression
- Trauma and PTSD
- Childhood neglect and abuse
- Anger
- Work-related stress
- Domestic violence and coercive control
- Self-confidence
- Long-term and chronic illness
- Grief and loss
- Adult Stages of Life transitions
- Romantic and Family Relationship difficulties
- LGBTQ+ and identity
I also have experience and training in working in affirmative ways with autistic people and people who have ADHD
Regular Reviews
As part of the counselling process, we will regularly review our work together to make sure you’re happy with the direction we’re going in, and to decide if and how you might want to continue. For some people, therapy can be short-term and may come to an end after an agreed number of sessions. For other people, longer-term therapy is more suitable, so therapy can be open-ended, with no fixed date to end. After talking it through, you can decide what works best for you.
Why I’m a counsellor
I originally trained as a teacher in my early 20s, and worked in schools, then in adult education for many years. I have also worked in the charity sector, first as a volunteer and then later in a role as an adviser. I was initially drawn to counselling after my own experience of therapy, which helped me to manage events in my life and the things I was struggling with. I discovered how powerful it is to have a safe, honest space where you can begin to make sense of what life throws at you. This insight, and my own life experience, have shaped how I work with clients today.
Want to talk?
Have any questions?
To talk about whether I might be the right person to work with, or you have any questions, please Get in Touch
Book a free 20 minute chat to talk about about how I might be able to help you.
It would be great to meet you.
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