Andy Goodwin

I am currently accepting new clients. My availability is 8am-8pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and from 8am-5pm on Wednesdays

Online sessions can be arranged during the day and evening, whereas face-to-face sessions are normally limited to the daytime, although I may be able to offer some flexibility around this. Sessions will last for 50 minutes

I offer face-to-face sessions from two locations. One in Ramsden Bellhouse, CM11 (a short drive from Billericay) and the other in Chelmsford, CM2 which is accessible to smaller-sized wheelchairs

My charges for sessions are £40 for online and £45 for in-person (the difference is due to the cost of room hire). Concessionary rates are available to students and anyone on low income

I have an encouraging and warm approach driven by my belief that everyone possesses the qualities and strengths needed to overcome the challenges and uncertainties they are facing, but sometimes help is need to find these within ourselves

The counselling I provide is in the form of a partnership based on trust, respect and equality, and will be taken at a pace that is right for you. We will work together on your goals, allowing healing to take place and insights to be gained along the way

I will provide open and genuine feedback on what is being observed and expressed to help you understand yourself better, identify where changes may be beneficial and support you in making these

My journey to become a counsellor started after reaching a crisis point and embarking on a new way of life in helping others to give me a true sense of purpose and meaning for the first time

The ultimate hope I have is that you learn to accept yourself as a whole by embracing your uniqueness and develop self-compassion to allow yourself to be spontaneous and enjoy being you, in the same way I have

Being an integrative counsellor means I draw on different theories and beliefs in understanding human behaviour and how personality is formed. This enables me to work adaptively and effectively with what is brought to counselling

My initial focus is on building the therapeutic relationship to create a safe space where you are able to express yourself freely, feel heard and understood and are accepted for who you are without judgement

I know personally how early life experiences and events can shape us, in both helpful and unhelpful ways. My approach is to highlight links between the past and present, the existence of unconscious processes driving behaviour and where resistance is stopping the expression of emotion. The aim is to bring these into your awareness where they can be explored and understood

I intuitively use creative techniques such as visualisations, metaphors, imagery and meditation, alongside offering interpretation to help bring meaning on feelings, thoughts and actions

This is all with the intention of you gaining a stronger sense of your authentic self and attuning to your own needs, because true 'change occurs when one becomes what they are, not when they try to become who they are not' (Beisser, 1970)

In our first session, we will run through aspects of the counselling contract, talk more about what you are seeking help with, establish some goals and agree an initial number of sessions

Prior to starting counselling, we will conduct what is known as an initial assessment to help me understand what your needs are, discuss your expectations and how I may be able to support you. It is equally an opportunity for you to ask any questions and make sure I am the right fit for you

The assessment is free and will be conducted by telephone, typically lasting 20 minutes (this can be arranged at times outside of my normal availability). I will gather other information as necessary to provide counselling and we will discuss practical details of your sessions