BACP Accredited Counsellor/
Psychotherapist, in Dorking, Surrey
Face to face and online sessions available on weekdays
Phone: 07980 354495
Email: niki.ridgley@btinternet.com
Welcome, and thank you for visiting
Are you feeling stressed or anxious?
Do you struggle with negative thoughts and self doubt?
Are you experiencing difficulties in your relationships with family and friends?
Do you look as if you're coping but underneath feel as if life is out of control?
Are you finding your normal ways of coping have become part of the problem?
Making the decision to have counselling is a big step and finding a counsellor can feel overwhelming. It is important to find the right fit for you you; someone you can trust and feel comfortable with and I hope my website reassures you that my approach is welcoming, non judgemental and empathic.
My role is to help and support you to explore and process issues in your life that may be causing emotional pain or distress. By talking things through together we can take time to understand what is going on for you, finding fresh insight and perspectives which will help you to move forwards. Sometimes you may find acceptance and peace around these issues; and sometimes you may make positive changes by making different choices. I often feel very moved and privileged when my clients share with me how helpful and empowering counselling has been for them.
HOW CAN COUNSELLING HELP?
I can help you with wide range of issues, including:
Depression/low mood
Anxiety
Relationships/divorce and separation
Bereavement, grieving and loss
Trauma, PTSD
Abuse, (including domestic abuse, bullying, etc)
Family issues
Self esteem
Anger management
Work and employment issues, including stress/burnout
Identity issues
Addiction, (alcohol, drugs, gambling, etc)
SPEAK IN CONFIDENCE
At my counselling room in Dorking, Surrey, I aim to help you feel comfortable, safe and supported, to explore confidentially any problems or difficulties you may be experiencing, no matter how big or small. People often tell me that they feel unable to share their feelings with those closest them as they fear burdening them. However, they find huge relief, comfort and new ways forward from talking to a Counsellor, who is not directly involved in their lives and will not judge or give advice. For more information on how counselling can help you, visit the About Counselling page.
MY APPROACH
My counselling style is "Integrative", meaning that I am able to tailor my approach to your individual needs by drawing on techniques from different types of therapy including:
Psychodynamic, which looks back at how our current feelings and behaviours are shaped by past experience and unconscious thoughts; Humanistic, which focuses on feelings and encourages responsibility for our thoughts and actions, helping us to reach our full potential in life; Transpersonal which aims to enhance self awareness and life satisfaction; I also use some tools from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which works by challenging negative thoughts and beliefs that affect how we feel and behave.
For further information about my personal approach as a Counsellor, please visit the Qualifications page.
INITIAL SESSION
In our initial session, we will talk about the issues that are that causing difficulty in your life, so I can gain an understanding what is bringing you to therapy; and you will get an idea of how I work and how I can help. If we both agree to work together, we will arrange to meet each week and explore what is going on for you at your own pace. For some people, short term counselling of six to twelve weeks can be very effective; others may feel they want a little longer to resolve their issues. For further information visit the FAQ page, and you are welcome to telephone, email or text me if you would like any more details.
CONTACT ME
You can email me on niki.ridgley@btinternet.com, or by filling in the form below.
Alternatively, you can phone or text me on 07980 354495. If you leave a text or a message I will get back to you as soon as possible, normally within 24 hours or less.
We can then arrange an initial "taster" session, to discuss your counselling needs, and if we both feel I am the right counsellor for you, we can arrange a suitable weekly appointment.
MY LOCATION
My counselling room is welcoming, confidential and comfortable, based within easy reach of Dorking town centre, accessible to Reigate, Leatherhead, Crawley, Horsham, Epsom, Guildford and other areas of Surrey/Sussex.
ABOUT ME
- Accredited Member of The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Just click here to visit BACP website.
- Registered MBACP (Accred). Click here to visit the BACP Register.
- Member of The Counselling Directory. Click here to visit The Counselling Directory.
- I volunteer at East Surrey Domestic Abuse Service (ESDAS), working one to one and in groups, with women who have experienced the trauma of domestic abuse Click here for more information
- I am a trained addiction counsellor and worked for CATALYST, with people who are trying to overcome alcohol or drug addiction issues; and family members who are affected by a loved one's addictions. Click here for more information.
- I have worked with teenagers and younger people at both Woking Sixth Form College and at The Youth Counselling service in Guildford.
- I hold an enhanced CRB certificate and am fully insured.
- FdA in Integrative Counselling.
YOU MAY NOT KNOW IT, BUT YOU’VE ALREADY TAKEN THE FIRST STEP...
It can be scary and confusing making the decision to contact a counsellor or therapist, but in my experience people will struggle with a mental health issue, a personal crisis or problems with a relationship for much longer than is healthy. Sometimes a friend has proved a source of comfort, but this help can only go so far. Realising that resolving a problem requires something more means you have actually already taken the first step towards improving your life.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Sessions for individual clients are £60 per session.
Sessions for individual clients last for 50 minutes.
The initial session lasts for 60 minutes.
If you would like to book an appointment please contact me by phoning 07980 354495, or email me at niki.ridgley@btinternet.com, to arrange a suitable time to meet for an initial session, at my practice in Dorking. Alternatively we can arrange to have online counselling. At our the initial session we can discuss what issues have brought you to counselling, and you will get a clearer idea of what you can expect from counselling with me, and I can answer any questions you may have. This will help us both to establish whether I am the right counsellor for you at this time, with no obligation to continue with further sessions.
I offer appointments on weekdays, including some early evenings.
We can decide this between ourselves, but after the initial session, having decided to go ahead, it is usually beneficial to have at least 6 sessions together to begin with, on a weekly basis, in order to establish a therapeutic relationship.This will usually be offered at the same time each week, however I can also offer a certain degree of flexibility to fit in with clients' needs. After this the work will be open ended, and we will regularly review how things are going and how you are feeling, in order to ensure that our work together continues to meet your needs.
The counselling sessions are completely confidential, with a few exceptions, in line with usual counselling practice, which I will explain in our first session.
I am based in Dorking, within easy reach of the town centre. My practice room is very comfortable and situated in pleasant, relaxed surroundings. There is ample free, off road parking right outside the premises. I also offer online counselling.
I am able to offer online counselling (ZOOM or What's APP) if and when clients prefer.
© Niki Ridgley
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