Becky Ridgewell
Integrative Counsellor
Are you struggling to connect with others?
Do you feel stressed, anxious or restless?
Is it hard to switch off?
Do you ask yourself existential questions and struggle to find meaning in your life?
Is it sometimes hard to say 'no' or difficult to speak your truth?
Have you experienced loss but feel unable to grieve or move on?
I am a compassionate, energetic, active listener who is curious to hear your story. I bring empathy and non-judgement into the therapy space and will gently challenge self-limiting beliefs and blocks that might be stopping you from achieving and living your best life.
My Therapeutic Model is based on the idea that we all hold the key to our own wellbeing and that it's never too late to change old habits that no longer serve us. I enjoy facilitating change and witnessing the shift from thoughts of helplessness towards a more empowered way of being.
Having lived experience of struggling with much that life can throw our way, I have used therapy, mindfulness and time in nature to come to a more connected and calmer place.
The Way I Work
In your first session we will evaluate where you are right now and then work together to identify goals or areas you wish to work on. These can be reviewed periodically during the sessions.
The therapy session can be a safe, warm, confidential space where you can be heard and explore difficult thoughts, feelings, memories and behaviours. We might explore how to break certain behaviour patterns. We might also explore self-care techniques or ways for you to reconnect to what gives you joy, your values or purpose. We might explore breathing techniques and body awareness if emotional regulation is difficult.
If you decide to work with me in counselling the sessions are fifty minutes long and take place weekly. Commitment to the process is an important part of counselling, so please check in with yourself if this is the right time to be embarking on what can be a bumpy but also rewarding journey. I will sometimes, gently and kindly, challenge you, if we spot some avoidance or other self-sabotaging behaviours that might arise in the therapy. You might be given take home tasks - things to try out or new ways to communicate in between sessions, for example.
As well as working with adults and couples I also work with children and young people - I partner with schools to deliver therapy and mindfulness to children and young people within school settings.
The model I use to work therapeutically is integrative - this means I integrate Person Centred and Psychodynamic Approaches along with trauma informed practice, models of grief therapy, aspects of CBT, EMDR and somatic therapy to offer clients a holistic and bespoke therapy experience, tailored to their needs. I use present moment awareness to stay present and grounded during sessions, I am committed to offering the core conditions (empathy, congruence and acceptance) to each client I meet. I offer sessions in-person or online. I have extensive experience gained within the charity and public sector of delivering 1-2-1 counselling, early interventions and group work.
Get in Touch
If you have read this far you might be considering making contact - I understand this can be a difficult step to make and so will welcome your enquiry. We can arrange a free 15 minute conversation to see if my way of working might feel a good fit for you. From there we can work out how to move forward if you decide to take up counselling.
07981640199
Training, qualifications & experience
Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
5+ years working as a Psychological Therapist in third sector
Place to Be Training and Experience (counselling children in Schools, using CBT and group work and working with families delivering Parent Training)
Bereavement Counsellor at St Joseph's Hospice, London
Certificate in EMDR
Certificate in Sex and Couple's Therapy
Certificate in Teaching Mindfulness-Based Living Course (MBLC)
Certificate in Qigong for Health
Additional training in: Sand Tray and Creative Approaches, Narrative Therapy, Trauma-Informed Therapy, Working with Interpreters, Working with neuro-diversity, Somatic Approaches, Inner-Child Work, Mindfulness for OCD, Mindfulness for Parents, Solution Focused Therapy and CBT.
Member organisations
Accredited register membership of the BACP and I am a registered Mindfulness teacher with BAMBA.