Our Locations - Guildford
Andrew Spencer
Guildford PracticeMarriage Counselling Guildford
Hello, my name is Andy Spencer and I’m a fully qualified and experienced Relationship Therapist for couples and indviduals. I’m also a Supervisor for other Couple Counsellors and an accredited member of the ‘National Council of Integrative Psychotherapists’ (NCIP).
Many of us choose to share the whole, or a significant part of our lives, with another person. Therefore, in order to find happiness and fulfilment, it’s important to foster healthy relationships. In my view, a healthy relationship is where both parties are open, honest and feel safe enough to share their authentic needs with one another. However, this sadly isn’t always the case. Sometimes we find it difficult to speak to our partner, or the process gets interrupted and our relationship becomes turbulent, painful and an uphill struggle.
Sometimes external factors put pressure on a relationship. Problems with money, family or children, chronic illness or long working hours can all have a negative impact on a relationship. This, alongside not necessarily understanding each other’s relational needs fully, or how to meet them, can make matters worse. In addition to this, ineffective communication and/or dealing with differences in a defensive or hurtful manner can be a contributing factor.
My approach to couple therapy
I provide a safe, supportive and confidential space for our relationship counselling sessions. This will hopefully enable you to feel comfortable enought to open up and talk through and address your concerns, along with what you hope to achieve from our sessions. My approach to couple therapy is proactive. Which means I will support you by using a variety of tools (if appropriate) to help enhance your own problem-solving skills. Through doing this, you will be able explore what went wrong between you and the role you both played in the relationship reaching this point. Together, we will help you find a way through, in whichever way you choose.
Sometimes couples decide that the best option for them is to end the relationship. Therefore, I can support one or both of you through this difficult process, so are are able to separate less painfully, especially if children are involved.
I offfer Gestalt, Transactional Analysis and Person Centred Counselling in my practice.
Ethical Standards
As an accredited member of the National Council of Integrative Psychotherapists (NCIP). I adhere to their ethical guidelines and have ongoing supervision and CPD (Continual Professional Development). This ensures the service I provide to my clients the best possible.
Qualifications
- Advanced Diploma in Humanistic Counselling (Guildford College);
- Certificate for Counselling and Psychotherapy Education (CCPE);
- Diploma in Practical skills for Eating Disorders (NCFED);
- Diploma for Eating Disorders and Obesity (NCFED);
- Certificate in Couples Counseling (Heartsworks);
- Certificate in Working with Trauma (The Link Centre); and
- Diploma in Clinical Supervision (The Awareness Centre).
Background/experience
I have experience in working with bereavement and life limiting illness at the ‘Sam Beare and Woking Hospices’. I still provide therapy to members of “Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide” (SOBS). This is for issues such as loss, anxiety and depression.
I’ve also worked with male and female survivors of rape and sexual abuse at Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) in Guildford. Along with gaiing experience supporting vicitims of trauma and its impact when dealing with intense and overwhelming emotions. I also provided short term therapy for anxiety and depression for the NHS.
I maintain continuous on-going training and work within the ethical boundaries of the NCIP. I’m DBS checked and fully insured.
I live with my partner and have 4 grown up step children.
How I can help you
- Couples I have seen in the past have told me that they found me warm, approachable and understanding.
- I provide a safe, confidential and uninterrupted space where you can talk about the challenges you are facing in your relationship. I will listen to both of your perspecitves and I will not judge or take sides. Relationships can be difficult and becasue we are human, we don’t always behave in the most helpful way.
- My aim is help you communicate your thoughts, feelings and needs to each other in a calm and non-hurtful way. This will hopefully enable a greater understanding of eachother. I will encourage you both to really listen to each and value the others perspective, even if you don’t necessarily agree with it. I will explain the tools available to help you during therapy, and you can choose which ones you think work best for you.
- You will be asked what you hope to achieve out of the couple therapy, if you know. If you don’t, that’s okay, I will help you find clarity and facilitate you working towards that goal. We will look for common ground and learn how to respect each other’s differences and then build upon that.
- Together, we will explore any external infleunces that might be negatively impacting your relationship and explore how we might be able to lessen them.
Types of therapy offered
- Couples Therapy
- Marriage Counselling
- Therapy for Trauma
- Eating Disorders (binge eating disorder. Bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa and obesity. Concerns regarding food, weight and shape
- Carers for loved ones with eating disorders;
- Anxiety and depression
- Stress (including corporate stress);
- Bereavement
- Anger management
If you would like to book to see Andrew for Marriage Counselling Guildford. Please use this link to Book
Michelle Fussell
Guildford PracticeMarriage Therapy Guildford
Hello, my name is Michelle and I am a qualified Therapist based at Relationship Counselling Surrey’s Guildford practice. I hold a Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling and I’m accredited by the MBACP (British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists) and the UKRCP (United Kingdom Register for Counsellors and Psychotherapists)
Although I qualified as a Psychodynamic Therapist, I tend to work in an eclectic and creative way whilst couple counselling. Which means I use a variety of different therapeutic approaches to suit your unique situation and individual needs, in order for you to find a more positive way forward.
Perhaps it’s the first time you have sought couple therapy and you are wondering what to expect. Or maybe you have had couple counselling before. Whatever your situation, I do appreciate that it can take great courage to reach out for help with your relationship. However, please rest assured, I create a warm, safe environment in order for you to feel comfortable enough to open up about what is going on for you. I’m not there to takes side or pass judgement. Instead I will be there to listen to your combined experiences I the relationship and help you improve the communication between you.
At the beginning of our first session, I will ask you what you hope to achieve out of the therapy. Whether you are hoping to make your relationship work better than it currently is, or perhaps you would like me to help you separate more amicably. At this point, you might feel unsure or you might have different answers. That’s okay, we will work together to help you find clarity.
Alongside offering Relationship Therapy, I am also experienced in issues such as abuse, ADD/ADHD, addictions, anger management and anxiety. Along with working with people on the autism spectrum, suffering bereavement, childhood related issues, chronic fatigue syndrome / ME.
In addition to this, I also work with depression, disability, OCD, phobias, post-traumatic stress and work-related issues.
Ethical Standards – As an accredited member of MBACP and UKRCP I adhere to their ethical guidelines, ongoing supervision and CPD (Continual Professional Development) to ensure the service I provide the best possible service to my clients.
Qualifications
- Brunel University Sociology (BSc)
- Goldsmiths University Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling
- Post Graduate Diploma in Play Therapy
- University Post Graduate Certificate in Play Therapy
- Postgraduate Certificate in Youth and Community
Accreditations
- MACC Registered Accredited Counsellor
- UKRCP Registered Independent Counsellor
- MBACP Registered Accredited Counsellor
Background/experience
Prior to qualifying as a Counsellor 10 years ago I used to foster children as a single parent. I was also a Church of England Youth Worker for 18 years and a residential social worker for 6 years. This broad array of experience has enabled me exposure to a wide range of people of all ages, backgrounds, and cultures, in variety of different types of relationships.
I started my own private therapy practice in 2004. Alongside providing relationship counselling, I also specialise in trauma, neurodiversity, adoption and family work,
My work has also been within the court system with ‘Divorce Matters’ and I’m an accredited Play Therapist with PTUK. In addition to this, I qualified as a supervisor to help other therapists and an adoption Counsellor with Barnardo’s.
How I can help you
- I will walk the relationship therapy journey with you both to help you develop better ways of connecting in your relationship.
- Your couple therapy sessions with me will be in a safe, confidential space where you will both feel heard and respected
- We will explore the dynamics between you, whilst allowing you the time and space to individually express yourselves, be listened to and validated.
- I will encourage you to be honest with yourselves, with each other and with me in order to help move you forward.
- My aim is to ensure you are both patient, tolerant and respectful of each other’s thoughts and feelings. Therefore, I will facilitate an environment where you can both properly listen
Types of therapy offered
- Couples Therapy
- Marriage Counselling
- Relationship Counselling
- Depression Counselling
- Anxiety Therapy
- Trauma Therapy
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Counselling for Depression
- Person-Centered Therapy
- Bereavement Counselling
- Family Therapy
- Anger Management Therapy
- Young Person Therapy 3+
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
If you would like to make an appointment to see Michelle for Marriage Therapy Guildford then please use click here to book
Reviews
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Dear Relationship Counselling Surrey I can't thank you enough for all your help during our sessions. You have given me the tools and skills I need to move forward in a positive way. I particularly liked the way you had saved notes from my first contact for counselling so that at the end we could re-cap and ensure all my issues had been worked through. What was really interesting is the way you helped me to work through my problems rather than just suggesting solutions to me. I enjoyed my "eureka" moments where suddenly a penny would drop and I would see something from a completely different perspective. Thanking you so much,
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"Kate Stewart helped us at a time when we were approaching rock bottom in our relationship. We both found her to be friendly, very approachable and reassuring. She helped us to communicate at a much deeper level and to understand the other's point of view. We would thoroughly recommend Kate to any couple going through relationship difficulties"
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"Katrina is amazing! With her help my husband and I are back ‘on track’. Katrina reassured us that both of our feelings count and because of this Katrian gained our trust instantly. She quickly helped us to identify what could be causing our issues and how we can use simple techniques and solutions to resolve/manage/accept them. We are still using those tips now and we still remind each other when we need to of the wonderful guidance Katrina gave so that we can continue to benefit from it whenever we need to"
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"I have recently been helped by Helen Lamming and through my sessions I can honestly say I have felt improvement. She helped create a open and friendly platform in which we could discuss the relevant topics that helped ease my overall stress and anxiety. I would recommend Helen very highly and I would not hesitate to book further sessions if I felt the need. I would also recommend the online sessions and found them far less stressful that adding extra travel to my day.
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"Andy gave us what we needed and at a pace we could manage. He joined with us in our exploration so the Julie-and- I duo became a trio with And; working together to resolve our issues. After each session we felt empowered to take away what we had discussed so that we may consider this in greater depth in our own time. He was never the passive wall or mirror (which would have irritated and blocked our learning) but an active participant in our striving to move forward .
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Trish Mayne
"Thank you for a really good session Trish. We were feeling really stuck for a time. You listened and helped pull us back into a place where we could think and makes things feel better. We are very glad we chose to turn to you for guidance. "
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Elaine Brown
"Thank you so much for everything you have done to help the situation with our marriage. We have learnt a lot but still have a way to go but you have helped more than we can of expected"
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"We didn’t think we would be sat here together having enjoyed a family Christmas, when this time last year we felt we were at the end. Thank You for helping us find a way forward that suited us, and for your knowledge and understanding. We now are looking forward rather than dreading the future"
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"Although my wife was not comfortable discussing our marital problems with a counsellor herself, Trish really helped me understand how to approach the issues, and gave us a good foundation/plan to build upon. They say the first step is to talk about the problems, and talking with Trish really helped!. Was the first time (aged 48) I have had any kind of counselling, which filled me with fear, but within a couple of minutes of the Zoom meeting Trish put my mind at rest."
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"Just to say Thank you for your help, it has been invaluable and it was wonderful confiding in someone so warm and non-judgemental. The sessions were priceless in how they improved our communication and overall relationship. The tools we've learnt will be invaluable taking froward"
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"We found Sian to be such a huge help in our quest for improving our communication skills. Sian will teach you how to think about your behaviour and what it's linked to so you learn to understand yourself and your partner a whole lot better. This is an invaluable technique,. She is also warm & fun which really helps!:)"
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"We weren't sure what to expect, or even if it would help. Best money we ever spent!" Trish helped us, as a couple and as individuals, and we have learnt some valuable tools we will continue to use. And we are happy to say, we now feel the strongest we ever have"
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"We saw Sian for some marriage counselling online and found that she has an amazing ability to explain back to you EXACTLY how you are feeling, both me and my husband just couldn't believe it! It was like she had experienced every single feeling we had at some point so she could really relate to it. At no point did she judge either of us such she just helped understand each other's perspectives and got us actually communicating properly again! Thank you!
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"We felt having a space to talk in that was safe and supportive was really helpful. The sessions were very well managed and structured by Jolanta and there was an understanding and empathy with our situation which felt comforting. We were each allowed a decent time to talk and reflect" "Thank you Jolanta – you were very kind and understanding and we really appreciated the lack of judgement and desire to help us with your reflections and ideas"
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"Relationship counselling with Judy was a positive experience for both of us. The initial questionnaire was a good way to get us to think deeply and try to identify issues we had and wanted to address" "Judy seemed to understand where each of us was coming from and tried to get us to see the other person's point of view"
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"The Irish" (ha ha ha!) cannot thank you enough for all you have done for us Stephanie. It's been a steep hill but we finally got there, we will never forget what you have done for us and all being well we won't be back!! :))"
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After only 2 appointments with things started to get better and then continued to grow each session after that. With our new communication skills and understanding of each other I feel like we are back in love again! I would tell anyone not to be scared or embarrassed and it is worth every penny"
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"My wife point blank refused to seek help for our problems with marriage counselling because she saw this as a failure she didn't want to admit to. Neither of us wanted to separate but we wanted to feel happy again. When I called Relationship Counselling Surrey to ask her advice they were so helpful! Although my wife was still hesitant to attend it's helped us greatly. We didn't even realised how stale things were and how mundane our lives had become. inspired us with new vigour and understanding and we are both happier now and actually looking forward to our retirement together rather than dreading it"
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"It's been good and it's been bad..................... but knowing what we know now .... we should have done it years ago! Thank you thank you thank you!"
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"Highly recommend - I contacted Relationship Counselling Surrey for an appoinment w because I was concerned that my reaction to the small irritating things my partner was doing was getting out of hand. I was anxious, angry and upset on a regular basis. I tried to blame him for a while but I started to realise it was me and not him. I saw Sophie Hill for a few months, once a week, and began to understand why I was reacting the way I was. This understanding was half the battle, and was incredibly revealing. I learned not to let my hurt feelings turn to anger and frustration, and deal with them in a different way. I feel like my old self again now, I'm more in control of my emotions, and much happier in my relationship. Sophie was sympathetic, caring, open and I think genuinely happy for me when I started to feel better”
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"As you know Michelle I have tried very hard to get over my wife's affair. Unfortunately I haven't been unable to forgive and forget and now know I never will. Although the whole experience has hurt like hell, I couldn't have done it without you. You helped me through it by giving me time, patience and a different perspective. I know more about myself and relationships than I ever did before and I'm hoping one day I will see some good in what's happened. Hopefully this will help me in my next relationship"
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"Having Rose help us talk through our problems helped us both see each others point of view and see things more clearly. Our marriage is much stronger now that it has been for years – thank you so much"
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"We knew we needed to separate but wanted to do so amicably for the sake of our two children. Andrew made this possible by offering us the support through a very difficult time"
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"Thank you for putting our marriage back on track!"
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"When my wife suggested that we should see a relationship counsellor but I thought it was a stupid idea and was very sceptical and cynical!. However, Allie made us both feel very relaxed from the outset and she never took sides in any of our conversations. Unfortunately we were not able to save our relationship but Allie helped us through the difficult process and made the separation so such much easier. I would recommend her to anyone who is having problems"
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"Although my partner was reluctant to go to couples therapy our therapist put us both at ease straight away. I was surprised how he opened up and I was able to see things from his perspective for the first time. I know that he understands me more now and we are closer than ever"
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"I didn’t think there was any hope for our relationship as all we did was argue and shout at each other. We went to see Sian at relationship counselling Guildford and she was so patient and understanding and always saw things from both points of view. We are now at a stage where we can at least communicate without getting angry. We are still working on our relationship but now feel at least there is light at the end of the tunnel"