Freedom Counselling
Let your healing begin…
“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending”.
C.S. Lewis
Adult Counselling
Adult Counselling can improve your mental health, and a qualified counsellor can help with low self-esteem, reduce 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...
“I arrived on Hayley’s doorstep feeling broken. Having had a few years of dealing with some pretty tough issues I began to feel completely vulnerable and had lost my resilience.
After a few weeks of visiting Hayley in her cosy, safe environment I began to feel whole again. Hayley’s gently posed and astute questions and her knowledgeable explanations enabled me to process what I was feeling.
It is the first time I have had counselling, I come from the ‘Pull yourself Together’ generation, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I won’t hesitate if I have an issues in the future. I would thoroughly recommend Hayley”.
Client’s Testimonial (with permission)
What to expect…
I work with individuals and couples on a short-term or long-term basis, either face to face or online.
Why come to counselling?
At Freedom Counselling, we understand that people seek support for a wide range of reasons. As humans, we are uniquely complex, and we invite you to bring all aspects of yourself into the counselling process, including the parts that may feel hidden, embarrassing, fearful, or full of guilt and shame. This is a space where you can be seen, heard, and validated in a compassionate, confidential, and shame-free environment.
Counselling can help you navigate and process difficult past experiences or current struggles that are affecting your life. I specialise in supporting individuals who have faced losses, trauma, abuse (whether sexual, physical, emotional, or religious), neglect, low self-esteem, and many other mental health challenges. My goal is to empower you to embrace change, healing, and inner peace.
I use a holistic, integrative approach that draws on a variety of therapeutic methods. This approach is tailored to meet your unique needs, whether you’re dealing with past wounds or present challenges. I work with people from all walks of life, ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, and religious or spiritual beliefs—or none at all. Whatever your story, I’m here to support you in a way that fosters personal growth and freedom.
If you’ve experienced trauma, you know firsthand how it can shape and impact your life. When unresolved, trauma can unconsciously manifest in self-sabotaging behaviors, affecting relationships, family life, and overall self-worth. Together, we can work to process and heal these wounds, helping you reclaim your power and find your true worth.
“Your help and counselling have been truly life-changing and really put me on a good path. A lot more to learn and develop in myself but I feel I’m well equipped, from all your help, to tackle this by myself now. I believe I’m in a good place to take steps by myself with the tools I have and awareness I have gained. I would like to say a huge thank you for your help. I wish you all the best and please keep up the work you do at helping people like myself”.
Client’s Testimonial (with permission)
We may have grown up in environments where a parent struggled with mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, or where a parent dealt with anger, criticism, or substance misuse. Some may have experienced childhood neglect, abuse, poverty, divorce, bereavement, or significant loss. These life experiences can leave deep emotional wounds in need of healing. Both conscious and unconscious memories from our past can significantly influence the way we live today, driving our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
It can be confusing and overwhelming when we react in certain situations or when our bodies respond in ways that feel out of our control. If our autonomic nervous system, also known as the fight/flight/freeze response, is triggered, our senses—sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell—become heightened and on alert. This may result in anxiety, panic attacks, anger, dissociation, or depression, leaving us feeling bewildered and disconnected from what’s happening to us. Even when cognitive memories are suppressed or out of our conscious awareness, our bodies still hold implicit memories of past trauma. This ‘body memory’ remains stuck in the past, continuing to influence our present reactions and experiences.
If you need help with relationship issues or are struggling with your mental health, please get in touch with Freedom Counselling today.
I look forward to hearing from you!
My story
I began my career in office roles within finance and public services, working with the States of Guernsey. Despite working with amazing colleagues, I always felt a stronger calling to help others in a more direct, caring capacity. This passion led me to work with charities both in the UK and abroad, which ultimately inspired my decision to pursue counselling.
In 2018, I began my training as a counsellor, balancing full-time work in Guernsey while completing my studies off-island. This challenging period was a time of both professional growth and personal transformation. Through my training, I gained valuable experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and with a variety of issues. I also had the opportunity to collaborate with the Trauma Recovery Centre (TRC) in Guernsey, where I worked with younger clients using play therapy, and trained with Relate Guernsey/UK in couples counselling.
After qualifying, I founded Freedom Counselling in Guernsey and worked part-time as a service manager for a local counselling charity, where I supported both the board and the team. In 2022, I made the decision to focus on my private practice full-time, and I am now an Accredited Registrant with the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS).
I specialise in trauma and early childhood attachment, and I am passionate about helping clients heal from their experiences and move forward with confidence. I am constantly expanding my knowledge through courses and research to ensure I offer the best possible care.
I understand the courage it takes to open up in therapy, and I strive to create a safe, authentic space for clients to explore their deepest challenges. I am committed to my own ongoing personal and professional development to be the best counsellor I can be.
In my personal life, I enjoy walking my dog, Zeus, swimming in the sea, writing songs, poems and playing guitar. These activities keep me grounded and allow me to maintain a healthy balance, which in turn helps me be fully present for my clients.
Therapies
Just some of the issues I cover:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Panic Attacks
- Abuse (Past and Current)
- Bereavement
- Trauma
- Coping Skills
- Domestic Violence
- Eating Disorders
- Anger
- Relationship Issues
- Bullying
- Self Esteem
- Self-Harming
- Rejection
- Abandonment
- Sleep/Insomnia
- Spirituality
- Stress
- Suicidal Ideation
- Women’s Issues
Treatment approach
- Integrative
- Person/Client Centred
- Psychodynamic
- Trauma Focussed
- Internal Family Systems (IFS)
- Somatic Embodied
- Shadow Work
- Transactional Analysis
- Creative Therapy
- Gestalt
- Mindfulness-Based (MBCT)
- Play / Sand Therapy
- Christian Counselling
- Inner Child Therapy
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. I ask that you contact your insurance provider to check that they will cover you for sessions with me and it is your responsibility to claim the fee back from them.
- 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.