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Hello and welcome to my website
Research shows that the most important factor in counselling is the fit between the counsellor and client. I hope that this site gives you the information you need to consider whether I am the right person for you. I know that it is pretty hard to tell how you will get on with someone from a website and so I’d like to offer you a free 30-minute initial appointment. This can be face to face, a phone call or even via zoom, the choice is yours. That way you can get to “meet me” and see if you think we would get along.
If you feel more comfortable having a good look around my site before contacting me, please do – however if you would prefer just to go straight to the free 30- minute chat then that’s OK too. I’m also happy for you to email me with any questions.
My phone number is 07377983719
My email address is counselling@samhughes.co.uk
Alternatively, if it’s easier you can make contact using this link.
I will make every effort to answer the phone when it rings but that may not always be possible. If I can’t get to the call, please leave me a message – I will get back to you as soon as possible, usually within a couple of hours but at the outside within 48 hours. If I need to be discrete when returning your call please say so in the message.
All appointments are confidential and focussed on helping you feel better. If you decided to work with me, we would discuss where and how you would like to meet. You could have face to face appointments at one of three locations, on line (zoom) and telephone appointments or a mix of all three. I’m also happy to go for a walk with you or sit outside in a confidential space. Whatever works best for you.
I hope to speak with you very soon.
I help you to understand why you act as you do and how your past experiences can unconsciously affect the way you act and feel now. We do this together by talking about, and making sense of events in the past and how what you learned then, influences what you do now. When you understand these patterns, you can choose to keep the behaviours you like and change those that are no longer helpful.
This approach is called psychodynamic counselling.
One of my clients described their counselling as tidying out a wardrobe where everything has been crammed in to a chaotic mess over a long period. You examine things and consider them. The things that make you happy you keep in an organised way and you discard the things that no longer make you feel good.
As a psychodynamic counsellor I work with you, to help you make lasting change that makes you feel better.
How long you continue to have counselling is driven by the scale and complexity of the changes you want to make. Some achieve the results they want in 6 weeks; other clients have counselling for years. You are always in charge, the sessions are there for you and ultimately you decide when you want to finish.
I can help with a range of issues and trauma, to give you an idea about what I can help you with I have listed some areas below.
suffer from anxiety or depression around the world.
experience at least one diagnosable mental health problem.
Abuse is any mistreatment of another person and can take many different forms. It can be physical, sexual or psychological. If you are the victim of abuse we can work together to understand how to break the cycle.
If you are in immediate danger please do not wait for your counselling session get help from the appropriate authority.
Do you have a feeling of dread for most of the time? Do you experience panic attacks? Do you worry about everything?
We can work together on techniques to help you relax whilst we explore the reasons for and manage the feelings of anxiety.
Losing a loved one is a difficult event in anyone's life. The loss can bring up a wide range of emotions including guilt and anger. You may benefit from speaking openly to me about your feelings to help ease the process and resolve any remaining issues you may have.
Suffering from or caring for a person with a long-term illness or terminal illness can turn anyone's world upside down. I can help you by offering emotional support and coping mechanisms.
I want to keep you safe – if you experience suicidal thoughts, I can work with you to help you to find a route to a happier life.
If the feelings are immediate, please call the Samaritans or the emergency services to keep you safe.
If you are self-harming and want to stop, we can work together to understand why you do it and to find alternative, safer actions.
Covering all types of relationships, we can discuss issues in families, friendships and couples. Problems could involve anything from a poor relationship with a parent, difficulties in a friendship or with a partner, or even your relationships at work. We can also look at difficulties in forming relationships, or a pattern of inappropriate relationships.
Sometimes we know why we feel sad – other times we have no idea. The feeling becomes a problem when it lasts too long. If your sadness is overwhelming, please get in touch.
We would work together to address known causes, or consider the reasons for your feelings and discover how to manage this emotion.
Are you feeling as though everyone else is better than you, more successful than you, more worthy than you? Are you lacking confidence in your abilities? Do you like yourself?
Lack of self esteem really gets in the way of things you may want to do. We can work together to discover the reasons and get your confidence back.
Whether you've been involved in an accident or you have been the victim of abuse, the psychological impact of trauma can last years after the event itself. If this is you, we can help by explaining the bodies reaction to trauma and what you can do to feel better.
Almost everyone experiences stress from time to time, and while a small amount of stress can motivate us, too much or prolonged stress can be damaging to both our physical and mental health. I will help you to cope by managing the impact stress has on you.
If something is getting you down and getting in the way of you living your best life then we can look at the issues, the reasons and work on recovery. There are very few situations that I can’t help with – but please be assured if I can’t I will work with you to find you a specialist who can.
Some people have therapy for 6-8 weeks, others continue for several years. The length of time is dependent on what you want to achieve. We would regularly discuss progress and agree whether you still had things you wanted to explore. At no point are you committed to more than the session you are attending.
The very first session to get to know each other is for 30 mins and free of charge.
Sessions afterwards are £50 for individual counselling and £55 for couples.
(concessionary rates are sometimes available)
Sessions usually take place each week or every other week.
Payment will be made preferably by BACS and is due a maximum of 48 hours after your counselling session.
As well as telephone, Zoom and email I am available go for a walk or to meet, by appointment, at the following location…
Counselling Room,
Leek Town Football Ground, Harrison Park, Macclesfield Road, Leek, ST13 8LD
"Easy to find!"
Occasionally I can also be found at the following locations...
Rudyard Lake,
Lake Road, Rudyard, Leek, ST13 8XB
"Looking out on the reservoir"
Swythamley & Heaton Centre,
Gun End, Macclesfield, SK11 0SJ
"A rural location with outside space"
Appointments are available during the following times...
Very early morning appointments may be available by arrangement.
"The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change."