Please refer to our online counselling page for information about our online therapists Hande and Roxanne.
Hayley Ryan – Director, Psychotherapist
and Supervisor
After working in several different places I decided to set up my own counselling service. I am very passionate about the work that I do and focus on giving every individual the attention and time that they deserve. This happens from the moment you contact me.
Over the years my team has grown and the service has developed. We now offer a wide range of therapy and work with a large variety of issues. I am very proud of the work that we do and believe that the relationships we form are at the heart of it.
As well as running your counselling service I see clients myself and supervise other therapists. I work hard to build open relationships, where there is a sense of trust. My aim is for every individual to feel at ease when talking to me and to always know that they are heard and valued.
At your counselling service we provide a confidential, safe and non judgemental environment. I personally work in a very creative, dynamic and challenging way – and I encourage this throughout the team. If nothing changes then nothing changes. Our goal is to facilitate growth and change.
I am Psychodynamically trained to masters level, but I also have Person- Centred training and experience. I work with individuals, couples and I am experienced in running group therapy. My supervision training was completed with CASCADE and was a creative course in individual and group supervision.
I have had a lot of experience in different therapeutic settings, including managing an eating disorder service, running an addiction clinic and working for a healthy living centre. I have also worked as a counsellor in GP surgeries and for several different charities. This includes voluntary counselling work that I have done overseas in South Africa and for charities such as MIND. I have also supervised in many different settings, ranging from private practice to a general counselling service.
I am a very focused individual – whoever I am with and whatever I am doing – always gets my full attention. I believe in the work that we do and I know the difference it makes. If you come to see me or any member of my team I promise you will in good hands. We are here to help.
Becky Brendling – Counsellor
My name is Becky and I am a person-centred counsellor. My hope is that we are able to work together on the areas in your life that you may be struggling with.
Life can bring all sorts of challenges and in difficult times talking in a safe space can really help. Starting therapy can sometimes feel very daunting but I am here to make the process easier for you.
The type of counselling I offer is one where the therapeutic relationship between client and counsellor is at the centre of the work. I ensure in my work that the core conditions of Unconditional positive regards, Congruence and Empathy are all present. I work hard to hold the process of our therapeutic journey so that we can focus on your needs.
Within the YCS team, I am a child and adolescent therapist and can work with children from age four upwards. I work creatively with young children and young people to support them in adapting to the struggles they may be facing.
My aim is to provide a safe and objective space. I have extensive experience working with children in schools, charities and therapeutically. I have an enhanced DBS for working with children and adolescents as well as extensive safeguarding training.
I follow the BACP code of ethics for my work with both adults and young people.
Sharon Twydell – Counsellor
Sometimes life gets too much, and we can feel completely overwhelmed. I can offer you a safe space to explore the challenges that you are facing.
Making the first step to speak to someone is a very courageous move but it will be the start of a journey. A journey that I can support you with. One where you can work through different issues and find opportunities for change.
Sharing your concerns in a warm, compassionate environment without judgement, will lead to better understanding, self-esteem, and life fulfilment.
My name is Sharon, and I am an Integrative Therapist offering Person Centred Counselling, Psychodynamic Analysis and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. We are all individuals and as such, no one style fits all.
I like to use the therapeutic approach that best suits you. My aim is to offer support and guidance. To also help facilitate finding perspective when faced with uncertainty in life. In whatever form it presents itself.
Rochelle Newington – Counsellor
You may have experienced difficult times, thoughts, or feelings throughout your life. Perhaps others have had expectations of you, and you have felt unworthy or not good enough. You might have suppressed your true feelings to be accepted or to survive. While this can work for a while, eventually things can become difficult to contain or cope with.
You know your own story better than I ever will. I believe in your innate ability to find your best solutions. I will support you to explore your feelings without interruption. You will be truly heard, enabling you to build greater trust in yourself. Our sessions will help to develop your self-awareness, build your self-esteem, increase motivation, and begin to build new foundations.
With a warm, caring, compassionate and receptive nature, I have experience working with corporate, professional, NHS & residential clients. I have worked in settings such as Edgware Hospital, Barnet Young Peoples Service and Cruse Bereavement. I have extensive experience working with trauma, abuse, anxiety, depression, bereavement and loss, parenting (including SEND), addiction & dissociative disorders.
Working in a person-centred modality, I will support you exploring the distress in your life at your own pace. I will be there when you are ready to take your next step. You have already taken your first one.
I work not only with adults and the older generation, but with children and adolescent’s too. You may be a young person or the parent of a child struggling. Children and adolescent’s can face battles with anxiety, depression, self harm or suicidal thoughts. They can also struggle to cope divorce and separation, bullying, exam stress, physical, emotional and sexual abuse, school phobia, O.C.D , trauma or an eating disorder.
By offering a calm and gentle environment, whilst building a safe and trusting relationship, I use a variety of methods and tools that are individually suited to every young person or child that I work with. I ensure that you or your child are given the right setting to improve wellbeing, gain new perspectives and the chance to learn improved ways of managing difficult circumstances and feelings.
With 20 years experience working with children and the education system, a Specialized Diploma in Children and Young People and level 5 Therapeutic Counselling Diploma, I have a deep understanding of how difficult life can be at various stages, and offer a non judgemental space where they can grow life skills that will support them into a healthier adulthood.
Leanne – Counsellor
My name is Leanne and I work as an integrative counsellor, using different counselling styles such as;
Cognitive Behavioural therapy (CBT), Person Centred, Solution Focused Therapy and Psychodynamic counselling.
I have worked with clients who are experiencing a variety of mental health issues, challenges and difficulties in their lives. People of different ages, from different backgrounds, ethnicities and social classes. Each person is unique, therefore it is important to establish a way of working that is suitable for each individual client.I have experience helping clients work through the following issues:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Panic Attacks
- Stress
- Relationship issues
- Eating Disorders
- Sugar addiction
- Depersonalisation
- Addictions
- Abuse
- Personality Disorder
Jonathan Eddie – Counsellor
My name is Jonathan Eddie and I work as an Integrative Counsellor.
The integrative approach means that my work is shaped by a number of different theories including Person Centred Theory, Transactional Analysis, Attachment and Psychodynamic Theory.
I’ve come to the world of counselling and psychotherapy having spent 25 years in the music profession, where I saw numerous colleagues suffer with the kind of mental health issues that therapy really can help with: anxiety, depression, addiction, bereavement, relationship issues, lack of self esteem, etc.
It’s for this reason that I’ve chosen to become a counsellor, so that I might help those who are ready for change.
Debbie Blundell – Counsellor
My name is Debbie, and I offer an integrative style of counselling which consists of person-centred, psychodynamic, transactional analysis and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). I am here to facilitate your thought processes without judgement. Whatever life issues you are facing, we can explore them together in a sage and confidential environment. Together we can work towards change by challenging unhelpful thought processes and behaviours. Therapy will also enable you to understand your reactions and emotions to certain events or trauma in your life.
Starting counselling can be a challenge itself, so I am here to be supportive and empathic whilst understanding your situation. Sometimes just being heard and sharing difficult feelings with someone else is all that is needed. Counselling gives you the space to offload and to talk through your problems. Other times we may explore past events and triggers. Whatever is required we will discuss your needs and expectations and together find a way forward that suits you best.
I will support you in a professional and ethical way, allowing you to grow whilst having autonomy. Whatever your journey is I will always strive to provide a positive experience of counselling.
Emma Rennick – Counsellor
Hello, my name is Emma Rennick. I am an integrative counsellor which means I can draw on many modalities in the room to help you make sense of what’s happening in your life at the moment, but the relationship between us is at the core of the work we do together. I see us all as unique individuals who have different ways of experiencing and responding to what life throws at us.
I am also a children’s nurse and currently work as a Health Visitor in the local community of St Albans. This has given me a lot of experience of working with both adults and children in very difficult circumstances. My desire to better support my patients has led to my journey into counselling where I have helped with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, postnatal depression, bereavement, and everyday life stresses. I offer a safe and non-judgmental space for my clients to talk about those things in life that don’t make sense, and gently walk alongside you in your journey.
My core training has taught me that the answers lie within you, and together I hope we can work to improve your confidence, relationships and overall wellbeing.
Please note that all of the therapists at your counselling service are members of the BACP – British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. Our director Hayley is also a Senior accredited member.
The BACP monitor all counsellors and ensure that they are all abiding by the code of ethics. As a member I take their code of ethics very seriously. This means for example that we respect client confidentially and all attend regular supervision , as well as personal therapy. We would not break your confidentiality unless we felt that you were at serious risk of hurting yourself or another person. If this was the case we would discuss this with you first. Please click here for more information and to visit their website.