Freedom Counselling

You deserve to be free

“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”
C.S. Lewis

What do I offer?

I offer a Professional Service with a Holistic approach, free from judgment in a confidential space. This allows you to talk and bring your concerns and worries to counselling. My aim is to listen with empathy to your unique story, to be authentic and honest, trying to understand the problem from your perspective.

I often help clients with anxiety, depression, panic attacks, trauma, abuse (past and current), relational issues, sadness, bereavement and loss, as well as other mental health issues. My approach is client led with an integrative approach, tailored to meet your unique needs. Therefore, I often draw on various models such as, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness, Attachment Theory, Transactional Analysis, Gestalt Theory, Psychodynamic Theory and Creative work if you are comfortable with this.

I invite play therapy when working with younger clients as this often helps to build trust and connection within the counselling relationship. When working with couples, I use a Relational and Systemic approach and draw on creative work if appropriate. Furthermore, I offer internet-based counselling (Zoom) if you prefer to meet Online, rather than face to face.

Adult Counselling

Adult Counselling can improve your mental health, and a qualified counsellor can help with low self-esteem, reduce stress...

Young Person Counselling

Young people face many challenges today, which can affect their mental health, leading to suicidal feelings,self-harming and stress...

Couples Counselling

Relationship and communication difficulties can lead to avoidance, conflict and intimacy problems...

Internet-based Counselling

Since COVID impacted us all, online counselling continues to help clients from all walks of life and around the world...

About me

Welcome to my website, my name is Hayley Allaway. I am caring, approachable and have a warm, bubbly personality. I enjoy having fun and spending time with friends and family. Throughout my life, I have been involved in helping people from all walks of life and different cultural backgrounds, including working for a charity, based in Guernsey, the UK and abroad.

I am a fully qualified counsellor with a Diploma of Higher Education in Counselling, from Middlesex University. I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the Association of Christian Counsellors (ACC). I run a private practice, based in Guernsey, but I also work Online for those outside of Guernsey. I regularly attend courses for my continuing professional development (CPD) and work within the ethical bodies I am registered with.

Having personally experienced professional counselling and talking freely in a non-judging space, I know first hand the positive impact this has had in my own life. I feel very privileged to now support and work with clients of different ages, backgrounds and cultures, including young people, adults and couples.

Away from counselling and for my own self-care, I enjoy walking Zeus my dog – a crazy spaniel! I also enjoy sea swimming in the summer! I play guitar mainly, but also play keyboard and flute, as well as write my own songs and sing. I find walking my dog Zeus, swimming and music very relaxing and therapeutic.

Therapies

Just some of the issues I cover:

Anxiety
Depression
Panic Attacks
Abuse (Past and Current)
Bereavement
Trauma
Coping Skills
Domestic Violence
Eating Disorders
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Anger
Relationship Issues

Bullying
Self Esteem
Self-Harming
Sleep/Insomnia
Spirituality
Stress
Suicidal Ideation
Women’s Issues

Treatment approach

Person/Client Centred
Integrative
Cognitive Behavioural (CBT)
Transactional Analysis
Creative Therapy
Gestalt
Mindfulness-Based (MBCT)
Play Therapy
Psychodynamic
Christian Counselling
Sand Tray
Trauma Focused

Example therapies and interventions

Outlined above are many of the successful therapies that I use, but these are two example interventions I occasionally use.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness meditation can be incorporated as part of an integrative approach within counselling. Using guided imagery, calming music and sounds of nature can positively calm the nervous system and reduce stress, anxiety, depression and more. Mindfulness meditation can be especially important during emotionally overwhelming experiences, as it can help individuals maintain a sense of control.

Mindfulness-based therapies might include breathing exercises and guided lessons to help you become aware of your body sensations, thoughts and feelings.

Creative Interventions

Using creative interventions can be useful when exploring emotions as they often can bypass the rational part of our brain. By using Russian (nesting) dolls, stones, shells, art, sand tray therapy, play-doh and letter writing (inner child work), clients can creatively explore their emotions, as well as thoughts and behaviours.

Creative interventions will not suit every client, but it can be helpful for some. Using mood cards and role play cards can also be a useful tool in individual work as well as exploring relationships in couples counselling.

FAQs

These answers may be of help to you, based on questions previously asked, but don’t hesitate to email or call if you have other questions.

HOW MANY SESSIONS WILL I NEED?

For some clients, talking with a trusted counsellor and getting things ‘out in the open’ can help, and a few sessions may be enough. For others, complex or deeper issues may require longer sessions. I usually offer weekly sessions, reviewing our work together regularly. It is important for the client to have full autonomy and feel in control at all times. The pace of the therapy is completely up to the client and what they feel comfortable to share.

IS COUNSELLING COSTLY?

Counselling is an investment of time and money, so it is important to consider this when thinking about starting therapy. It is very important to find the right counsellor. Investing in your mental health and well-being can bring freedom, change, hope and peace.

WHAT WILL THE FIRST SESSION BE LIKE?

The therapeutic relationship between the counsellor and client is very important so that trust can develop. In the initial session, we can discuss your goals for therapy and what has brought you to counselling at this time. I will also ask you to complete a ‘basic’ form requiring information such as your name and contact details, your GP, medications, etc. We can then decide whether working together is the ‘right fit’ and discuss the best way of working therapeutically together.

DO I OFFER INSURANCE COVER?

I am covered by the insurance providers below, so please do ask me about this when you get in touch. You will need to obtain a pre-authorisation code to approve sessions. I will also require your membership number before we meet.

BUPA
WPA
AETNA
AXA – Global Healthcare

View my fees and session times.

ARE THE SESSIONS CONFIDENTIAL?

Yes! Counsellors have an ethical responsibility to keep confidentiality and to offer a safe place for the client to share whatever they want to. However, there are some circumstances whereby the counsellor may need to break confidentiality. For example, if the counsellor believes the client to be at risk to themselves or others if the client is involved in illegal activity such as fraud, money laundering, drug or people trafficking or terrorism. Furthermore, in some jurisdictions, there are legal obligations to report domestic violence abuse and safeguarding issues.

WHAT IF I MISS A SESSION?

If you cannot make an appointment for any reason, I ask that you contact me by telephone or email so that we can reschedule. I do ask for 24 hours’ notice otherwise full payment will be required,

WHAT ARE CREATIVE INTERVENTIONS?

Using creative interventions can be useful when exploring emotions as it often can bypass the rational part of our brain. Creative interventions will not suit every client, but they can be helpful for some. Learn more creative interventions.