Psychotherapeutic Counselling in Bristol and Online
Are you ready to create meaningful change in your life? I’m Francesca, an experienced integrative therapist and psychotherapeutic counsellor. My approach creates a calm, non-judgmental space where healing and positive transformation can happen through compassionate, tailored support.
I provide integrative psychotherapeutic counselling uniquely tailored to your needs and goals to help you work through life’s challenges. I understand that each person’s journey is different, and I am here to support you every step of the way. I’m committed to supporting you throughout your process of growth and healing.
Challenges I can help you with include:
Exploring and resolving relationship issues and difficulties
Managing stress and overcoming anxiety
Resolving attachment issues, including anxious, avoidant, and disorganised patterns of relating to others — these are sometimes called ‘commitment issues’ or ‘abandonment issues’
Improving emotional regulation and resolving issues, including anger and jealousy
Overcoming childhood abuse and neglect, including healing from developmental trauma
Resolving sexual issues, including sexual shame
Overcoming feelings of isolation or loneliness
Treating forms of depression, including major depression
Overcoming low self-confidence and low self-esteem
Resolving sleep problems, including insomnia, nightmares, and sleep anxiety
Processing and integrating psychedelic experiences and non-ordinary states of consciousness
My approach
My approach to therapy and counselling is person-centred. I use an integrative model of therapeutic approaches, including humanistic therapy, psychodynamic therapy, emotionally focused therapy, parts therapy, hypnotherapy, and inner child work.
I offer hypno-psychotherapeutic counselling, and my clients have the option to use hypnotherapy and hypnosis within counselling sessions. The process uncovers experiences at the level of the unconscious mind. It brings memories and feelings into the conscious so they can be explored, deconstructed, and healed with the support of a professional.
How we can work together
Studies show that therapy is most effective when clients commit to consistent sessions. When you are ready to begin therapy, sessions will happen weekly at a set time that works for both of us. In some cases, clients opt for twice-weekly sessions, which have been shown to significantly increase positive outcomes.
I most frequently work with clients on a long-term, open-ended basis. Short-term therapy (6 to 20 sessions) may be the right approach if you are looking for support during a period of difficulty or would like to focus on a specific issue. Medium- or long-term therapy (21 to 50+ sessions) is more exploratory and can help you create meaningful change across multiple dimensions of your life. In-person sessions take place at my practice room in Bristol, UK and online sessions are held over Zoom.
Book a consultation
I understand that seeking counselling is a significant step. I am dedicated to creating a warm, compassionate environment that encourages you to feel comfortable opening up.
I offer a free 20-minute consultation to discuss your needs and see if we’re a good fit to work together. I look forward to hearing from you and helping you move toward positive change and greater fulfilment.
Image by Taylor Hernandez
Psychotherapeutic counselling helps individuals resolve psychological and emotional difficulties. It involves exploring thoughts, feelings, behaviours, and relationships within a structured therapeutic process.
Through psychotherapeutic counselling, you can gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your patterns. It supports you in discovering new ways to resolve emotional issues and overcome life’s challenges. With the therapist’s support, you can identify limiting beliefs, overcome challenges, and develop more adaptive ways of thinking and being.
In individual therapy sessions, you will meet with the therapist one-on-one in a safe, nonjudgmental environment. Together, you will work to understand the root causes of your concerns and develop coping strategies tailored to your unique situation.
What makes it effective
Psychotherapeutic counselling emphasises the in-depth therapeutic relationship jointly created by the therapist and the client. While there are similarities, psychotherapeutic counselling differs from other counselling approaches in some key ways:
It is more in-depth, exploring the root causes behind one’s concerns rather than just treating surface-level symptoms.
The therapeutic relationship is a significant component and vehicle for change, providing a supportive emotional experience.
There is more emphasis on the role of the unconscious mind and how past experiences shape present functioning.
It encourages self-discovery, personal growth, and insight rather than being more directive or advice-focused.
The therapist acts as a supportive guide and facilitator, allowing the individual to take an active role in their healing process.
References
Ciharova, M., Karyotaki, E., Miguel, C., Walsh, E., de Ponti, N., Amarnath, A., van Ballegooijen, W., Riper, H., Arroll, B. and Cuijpers, P. (2024). Amount and frequency of psychotherapy as predictors of treatment outcome for adult depression: A meta-regression analysis, Journal of Affective Disorders, 359, pp. 92-99. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2024.05.070.
Cuijpers, P., Huibers, M., Ebert, D.D., Koole, S.L. and Andersson, G. (2013). How much psychotherapy is needed to treat depression? A metaregression analysis, Journal of Affective Disorders, 149(1-3), pp. 1-13. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2013.02.030.
Tiemens, B., Kloos, M., Spijker, J. and de Jonge, P. (2019). Lower versus higher frequency of sessions in starting outpatient mental health care and the risk of a chronic course; a naturalistic cohort study, BMC Psychiatry, 19(1), p. 228. doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-019-2214-4.
UKCP. Psychotherapeutic Counselling and Intersubjective Psychotherapy College | UKCP. [online] Available at: https://www.psychotherapy.org.uk/about-ukcp/how-we-are-structured/ukcp-colleges/psychotherapeutic-counselling-and-intersubjective-psychotherapy-college/.
