Abi Saunders Counselling
Person-centred therapist for children, young people and adults.
Qualified, insured & DBS certified.
Registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
About me
Hello, I'm Abi.
Whether this be your first experience of counselling or you have previously had therapy, I welcome you warmly.
When life feels difficult to manage as a result of past experiences or recent events, it can be helpful to talk this through with someone other than friends or family. I offer a warm and private space where I will listen without judgement and accept you fully. My practice is neurodiversity affirming and trauma-informed.
I can support you with:
Anxiety
Depression
Loss
Bereavement
Significant life changes
Relationship difficulties and family relationships
Children, young people and adults
Autism and ADHD
I work privately with children from 6 years old, young people and adults from many different backgrounds. Alongside my private practice, I am currently working as a Children's Grief Counsellor at a hospice.
All too often people suffer in silence, letting shame or fear stop them from seeking help when they need it. Counselling cannot change anything that has happened to us, but it can help us to bear whatever has happened without it interfering so powerfully in our lives.
Whether this be your first experience of counselling or you have previously had therapy, I welcome you warmly.
When life feels difficult to manage as a result of past experiences or recent events, it can be helpful to talk this through with someone other than friends or family. I offer a warm and private space where I will listen without judgement and accept you fully. My practice is neurodiversity affirming and trauma-informed.
I can support you with:
Anxiety
Depression
Loss
Bereavement
Significant life changes
Relationship difficulties and family relationships
Children, young people and adults
Autism and ADHD
I work privately with children from 6 years old, young people and adults from many different backgrounds. Alongside my private practice, I am currently working as a Children's Grief Counsellor at a hospice.
All too often people suffer in silence, letting shame or fear stop them from seeking help when they need it. Counselling cannot change anything that has happened to us, but it can help us to bear whatever has happened without it interfering so powerfully in our lives.
More info
How I can help you:
I work in a non-directive way as I believe you are the true expert of yourself and the solutions lie within.
With this in mind, I withhold offering advice, opinions or diagnosis, but instead endeavour to help you to explore the issues, feelings, beliefs and behaviours which may be affecting your life. This will enhance self-awareness and achieve greater understanding and fulfilment. I see counselling as collaborative with a strong, trusting relationship being central to constructive therapeutic change.
Here is a short video of how therapy may be able to help you: https://www.bbc.co.uk/ideas/videos/how-does-therapy-work/p0fnr2nj
If it's useful to you, we might sometimes work with creative techniques, like drawing or writing, or we might explore how you experience emotion in your body, as well as your mind. My work often involves play and the use of therapeutic resources. My comfortable and bright therapy space in central Lewes is tailored for working with children and adults alike. The room is situated on the first floor of a quiet building with easy parking, on a bus route and a stone's throw away from the railway station. If you have any accessibility needs please let me know so I can ensure your safety and comfort.
I offer short-term and open-ended therapy with regular reviews to check you’re getting value from our sessions, an essential relational and ethical commitment. I also have regular clinical supervision.
Don't throw away your suffering... Face it directly, and your joy will become deeper. You know that suffering and joy are both impermanent.
Thích Nhất Hạnh
Bereavement care
If you are reading this because you have experienced the death of a loved one, I can offer you support. I faciliate a weekly free-to-access Bereavement Circle at The Lewes House of Friendship or can offer 1:1 therapy on a private basis.
Anxiety and stress
Stress and anxiety seem to be a part of our everyday worlds but sometimes it can all feel too much. Along with a close colleague I am running a one-day workshop in October at The Lewes House of Friendship on understanding and managing overwhelm, stress and anxiety.
For more info on this and other courses and workshops, please get in touch with me.
For more info on this and other courses and workshops, please get in touch with me.
Children and young people
If you are a parent or carer who is concerned about your child please feel free to get in touch with me. I understand that looking for help can be an overwhelming and upsetting process. I work with children 6+ in a calm, creative, non-directive way from my lovely therapy space in Lewes.
I warmly invite you to arrange a time to come and see me or have a telephone chat to see how I am able to support your child. I am fully insured and DBS certified and have over 20 years of experience working therapeutically with children. I will also consider home-visits depending on practicalities and availability.
I am aware that not all children are ready or able to engage in therapy. So I also offer therapy to parents and carers who are struggling to manage their children's difficulties and behaviours.
I warmly invite you to arrange a time to come and see me or have a telephone chat to see how I am able to support your child. I am fully insured and DBS certified and have over 20 years of experience working therapeutically with children. I will also consider home-visits depending on practicalities and availability.
I am aware that not all children are ready or able to engage in therapy. So I also offer therapy to parents and carers who are struggling to manage their children's difficulties and behaviours.
The first step
I offer a free, no obligation 15-minute telephone or Zoom consultation as an opportunity to gently explore what brings you to counselling, discuss further what you wish to get out of it and decide whether we feel we can work together.
Here is a short BACP video about what to expect in your first therapy session:
https://www.bacp.co.uk/news/news-from-bacp/vlogs/2022/9-may-what-to-expect-in-your-first-therapy-session/
It takes courage and vulnerability to seek help and it takes patience and commitment to find the right help.
I look forward to meeting you.
Here is a short BACP video about what to expect in your first therapy session:
https://www.bacp.co.uk/news/news-from-bacp/vlogs/2022/9-may-what-to-expect-in-your-first-therapy-session/
It takes courage and vulnerability to seek help and it takes patience and commitment to find the right help.
I look forward to meeting you.
Fees
15 minute telephone or Zoom consultation – free
Further sessions - £50
I never want to turn anyone away for financial reasons so I do offer a concessionary rate for:
- counsellors in training and students
- individuals on low-income or means-tested benefits
Contact
- House of Friendship, High Street, Lewes, UK
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Some of my responses to client enquiries have been ending up in recipient's spam folders. If you do contact me please via this page, please check your junk/spam. I always respond to enquiries within 48 hours.
