AnnMarie Walker

I currently work Monday - Thursday both daytime and evening.  Please contact to arrange a suitable time.  I can be flexible to work with your schedule. 

I work both online and face to face.  My work with those under 16 will always be carried out face to face, however, I can and do work online with adults. 

I am a Psychodynamic trained practitioner, working one to one with clients.   In this type of therapy, it is about helping you to understand how your experiences have shaped your thoughts and behaviours.  Most of our behaviour happens unconsciously, therefore working psychodynamically, it gives the opportunity to bring to consciousness what it is that is driving us. 

I am trained to work with therapeutically with both children and adults to help support with a range of things that may be causing you challenge.  

Before qualifying as a counsellor, I have spent 25 years working in education, primarily with children who have additional needs.  My background provides a solid understanding of childhood development and many years experience working directly with children.  Furthermore, my time as a Senior Leader in schools nurtured by ability to support and coach adults in challenging times. 

My own challenges through life brought me to seek counselling at various times, and allowed me to see how empowering engaging with a therapist is.  I wanted to retrain in this field to be able to provide this opportunity for others. 

My practice is a calm, quiet, confidential,  non-judgemental, comfortable space that allows you to the freedom and opportunity to share the things that are causing you most challenge or hurt.  

I am not there to offer you advice or judgement, but to listen and support whilst you make sense of what is happening for you.   I will support you to get a clearer perspective on your life, your goals, challenges and where you want to be, and help you to see what may be causing the blockages in your path. 

My practice has two spaces set up to allow me to work in different therapeutic ways, depending on the client.  I have one room which is set up as a typical 'talking therapy' space.  Whilst the other space is set up in a creative way to work with children, encompassing play, art, sand tray work amongst other things.  Working creatively in this way with children can help reduce the anxiety that coming to therapy may cause, and also allows them to communicate in ways that are safe. 

The creative activities are suitable for all ages and any of my adult clients who also wish to engage in some of these, are more than welcome to do so. 

Please note my practice is upstairs and there is no lift, therefore it is unfortunately not wheelchair accessible.  However, in some circumstances, I may be able to offer home visits.  Please discuss as the time of enquiring. 

The first session is an opportunity for you to meet me and get a feel for the therapeutic space.  At this session, we will discuss the process of counselling as well as getting an understanding of what it is that has brought you there.  

One of the key parts of counselling is the therapeutic relationship and connection between client and therapist.  Consequently, this initial session gives you the opportunity to see if you are happy to continue working with me. 

It also allows me to see if I am the right person to support you or whether you may benefit from signposting to another type of support service. 

The first session is generally 1 hour long, however, there is an option to shorten this if you would prefer. 

There is no obligation to book further sessions following the initial session, if you do not feel that it is currently the right thing for you.