Helen Cross Psychotherapy & Counselling

Totnes & Bovey Tracey, Devon

Space - Kindness - Clarity

Psychotherapist, Counsellor and Supervisor working with adults (over 18) in South Devon

Welcome!

People choose to come to psychotherapy or counselling for all sorts of reasons.

Perhaps there is a particular crisis, such as bereavement, or a problem in a relationship or work. There may be more general feelings, like overwhelm, anxiety, depression, or stress. Sometimes there is just a vague sense of dissatisfaction and a wish to find greater fulfilment in life.

Psychotherapy offers a safe space in which we can explore feelings like these and be met with warmth and respect. It can support us to find our way through difficulties. It can also deepen our experience of life and help us to find greater satisfaction and well-being.

I have many years experience in helping clients who are facing difficulties with:

Depression and low self esteem
Trauma and abuse
Relationships
Bereavement and loss
Anxiety
Work or career
Life choices, transitions or other existential questions

My practice is based at Dartington, in easy reach of Totnes and Ashburton; I also work in Bovey Tracey, which is convenient for Chudleigh and Newton Abbot; some clients travel from Exeter and Torbay. Although I prefer to work face-to-face, I also offer sessions online when appropriate.

UPDATE December 2024: My practice is almost full, but I have one or two spaces to begin in January, depending on time/location.

Psychotherapy or Counselling?

Core Process Psychotherapy is one of the original mindfulness-based approaches, integrating insights from ancient wisdom with the latest developments in psychotherapeutic practice. It is a powerful but gentle approach, which respects the needs of the individual.

In Core Process work, we take time to slow down and pay attention, without judgement, to our experience in the present moment. Through this kind and careful 'mindfulness', we can gain a clearer understanding of what causes us pain or difficulty; we can become more aware of how we are limited by old habits or expectations; we can discover a greater sense of freedom that allows us to make more satisfying choices.

People often ask if there is a difference between counselling and psychotherapy. There is no clear-cut distinction, but counselling tends to be time-limited (6-20 sessions) and more focused on a particular present difficulty. Psychotherapy is usually longer term and more open-ended, as it involves developing a trusting relationship to enable deeper, underlying issues and patterns to unfold.

SUPERVISION

Clinical supervision for counsellors, psychotherapists and those in the helping professions

I believe that good supervision is an essential resource for a healthy working life, nourishing the practitioner as well as developing best practice for the benefit of clients.

I aim to provide supervision that is:

supportive
collaborative
reflective
sensitive to the needs of practitioners at different stages of development

I have offered supervision since 2017 and have completed the training modules required for the Certificate in Mindfulness-Based Supervision. (OPAL)

I am an accredited psychotherapist, with many years experience in a variety of settings - private practice, NHS, Higher Education, and voluntary organisations. I have held mentoring and training roles and mentored psychotherapy trainees writing MA dissertations. I was a tutor on Open University modules in counselling and psychotherapy for 8 years.

About Me

MA in Core Process Psychotherapy (2010); UKCP Accredited Psychotherapist (2011)

My experience in counselling and psychotherapy stretches back over 25 years. After volunteering with the Samaritans for 5 years, I initially trained in Person Centred Counselling. Then I experienced the Core Process approach and was inspired to undertake the full training at the Karuna Institute.

I have worked with a wide range of people in a variety of settings, including the NHS, voluntary agencies and as a counsellor at Exeter University, but now work mainly in private practice.

I have personally experienced the benefits of psychotherapy and appreciate the the changes it can bring about. It has supported me through times of difficulty and challenged me to explore life in new and rewarding ways.

I am currently Chair of the Ethics, Equality and Diversity Committee of the Association of Core Process Psychotherapists (ACPP)

Contact Me

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how I work or to enquire about availability.

You can also call me on 07748 662867 if you would prefer to leave a message or speak to me first. I am happy to discuss any queries or questions you may have prior to arranging an initial appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please contact me to arrange a free introductory meeting (45 minutes). This is an opportunity to discuss your needs and how psychotherapy or counselling can be helpful, or to answer any questions you may have.

If we agree that we would like to work together, then we can arrange a trial period of six sessions before deciding whether to continue on a short or longer term basis.

Individual sessions last one hour and usually take place weekly.

I work in calm, pleasant rooms at Blacklers, on the Dartington Estate, near Totnes; and in Bovey Tracey.

PSYCHOTHERAPY/COUNSELLING: £50 per hour.
AFFORDABLE THERAPY: Please ask for details of concessions for students and those on low incomes.
SUPERVISION: £50 per hour.

Confidentiality and safety are paramount. What you speak about in sessions is confidential, unless there is serious risk to yourself or another, in which case I would hope to get your consent to share information.

Core Process Psychotherapists are bound by the Codes of Ethics and Professional Standards of the UKCP (United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy) and the Association of Core Process Psychotherapists. My work is fully supervised and insured.

PRIVACY POLICY