Kirsty Birnstiel

Counselling gives you the space and time to explore your thoughts and feelings. Although at times this process might be difficult, this increased self-knowledge can lead to positive changes.

Therapy is your space to come and talk about issues and worries you have. I am here to listen, reflect and ask thought-provoking questions that will help you to achieve your goals.

We all have the capacity and the wisdom to resolve our difficulties and to improve our lives. Unfortunately, sometimes this ability to know what is right for us or what we need becomes blocked when we are in distress and have negative life experiences - particularly those that affect our sense of value and around feelings of shame.

• Improved communication skills.
• Greater self-awareness, self-compassion and esteem.
• The ability to change self-defeating behaviours/habits.
• Healthier expression and management of emotions including anger.
• Relief from depression, anxiety and other mental health struggles.
• Feeling stronger with healthy boundaries.
• Relief from emotional pain and memories.
• Reaching a place of acceptance.

1. We'll start with a brief phone conversation so that I can get a sense of what kind of support that you are looking for. I'll ask for some basic information to get to know you and also use this time to answer any questions that you might have. If it feels like we are a good fit for working together, we will schedule either an in-person or online appointment.

2. In the first few sessions, I will learn more about you and together we will explore the goals you have for therapy. We will also be looking at some of the beliefs you might hold about yourself. Do you have a strong inner critic? What is causing you anxiety? What are the patterns in your life? Do you feel you have a voice and are heard?

3. The length and number of sessions will differ depending on your goals and needs for therapy. For some a few sessions only are enough, for others there may be a need for consistent weekly sessions for a few months or even longer. This will always be your choice and there is no obligation to remain in counselling for a long time.

My cancellation policy requires 48 hours advance notice. Appointments cancelled with less than 48 hours notice will incur the full session fee.