Experienced Counsellors Network

Anne brings a wealth of experience to her role as counsellor having first practised over 30 years ago. She is a former Samaritan volunteer and Relate couple counsellor who started in private practice more than 20 years ago.

Anne trained psychodynamically and now works integratively using talking therapies and creative techniques when she feels it is helpful. She is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy BACP and abides by its code of conduct and ethical framework.

Anne has built up a significant reputation in her work, based in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, and often gets referrals from local GPs and members of the clergy in addition to seeing clients sponsored by employers.

She specialises in working with couples dealing with all relationship difficulties but also sees individuals experiencing problems with bereavement, bullying, depression, alcohol addiction, panic attacks, depression and low self esteem.

''My philosophy is to adopt a variety of techniques, depending on what the client is presenting, provided it works,’’ said Anne. '' I have helped literally hundreds of people over the years come to decisions that are right for them. I see it as my role to help people, by listening a lot showing empathy and being non-judgemental, to get them where they need to be.

''I have had an extensive client base over the years with people from all walks of life coming to see me. A lot of clients say they feel comfortable from the first telephone call onwards and it is not altogether unknown for some of my clients to laugh quite a lot in the counselling room!

Anne, who ran a crèche for toddlers aged three months to three-years-old for more than 20 years, went on: '' I have no axe to grind in any way. I do try and enable clients to see the wood for the trees so that they can make changes that are good for them once they realise what they have been doing that hasn’t been working. It can be a bit of a journey but I know that my job is finished when clients can make their own decisions and feel comfortable with the process. If there is no perceivable shift I would say to clients this really isn’t working and so I suggest that we don’t continue.

''Job satisfaction for me comes from knowing that the counselling process can be helpful and people often say at the end that for them it has been. The journey may not take them all the way to where they eventually want to be but if it has taken someone forward that’s often enough.

''I work collaboratively with clients and always end counselling by mutual consent. Some clients have been with me for up to two years, although that is unusual. I usually make a contract for six weeks and then the work is reviewed. It all depends what the client wants. Sometimes short-term work of just a few weeks can be extremely effective.’’





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Anne runs her private counselling practice from her Hitchin home, and covers a catchement area that includes Letchworth, Stevenage, Luton, Knebworth and surrounding areas in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.

Telephone: 01462 453860

CLICK HERE to email Anne for an appointmen or to ask her any questions