I joined Try Talking in 2022 after completing my degree in Counselling at Greenwich University. Teaming up with Shelley was a natural pathway having met 20 years earlier whilst studying my first degree in Media at Salford University. We met on the rugby pitch playing for the ladies’ team, we shared the same passion for rugby and its values, enjoying the supportive environment a team sport offers its players.

Those supportive team values have led my career path every step of the way, the relationship we hold with our team mates is paramount to our performance and pleasure in the sport. From my career as an Event Manager in London and travelling around the world, working as a team, communicating openly and honestly are the skills that created successful events. As a counsellor now I work in an integrative and relational way, offering individuals a non-judgemental and safe space to be heard. An opportunity to talk through any issues affecting day to day life and mental wellbeing. In working relationally, I explore relational patterns that develop from childhood, helping to create a better understanding of yourself and your feelings, enabling more self-confidence and resilience.

I am a professional member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and work with the ethical standards they establish.
Why I am part of Try Talking today is because of my desire for everyone to be able to talk about and approach their mental health as openly as they do their physical. I learned the value of this after changes in my life through having a family left me feeling physically ill and lost. Giving up my career at the same time as rugby left me feeling a loss of identity and struggling with anxiety and low mood, yet completely unaware of this as all my symptoms were physical. A good GP recognised this and discussed mental health with me, I was offered counselling and I never looked back.

I volunteered with Homestart, a charity working with families and parents who are struggling and my passion to help others with their mental health was ignited. Studying a degree in Counselling enabled me to explore and understand who I am, why and how I relate to people by looking and my past and present. Self-awareness has been key for me to building resilience and managing anxiety and low mood and I strongly believe everyone should have the opportunity to explore this for themselves.

Louise

I founded Try Talking Ltd in 2019, following my Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy and some significant changes in my life and identity (see more below).

I have two undergraduate degrees; a BSc in Psychology/Counselling and a BSc in Quality Management. Following the launch of Try Talking I completed a MSc in Counselling & Psychotherapy, researching therapeutic support in sporting retirements.

As a Person-Centred Counsellor, I offer individuals and couples a non-judgemental and safe environment within which it is hoped a trusted relationship will develop. Allowing openness with thoughts and feelings, enabling personal development to take place.
I am a professional member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and respect the ethical standards they establish.

I can share two significant experiences with you that have influenced the therapeutic support we offer at Try Talking.

Firstly, I experienced a career change triggered by a conflict in the way my organisation was treating people and a lack of positive inspiration. After deep reflection, I recognised there were things I liked about my job and some things I had neglected because of my career.

The things I liked were all based on supporting and enabling others to develop and reach their potential. The things I neglected were time with my family and the creative hobbies I loved.

The second experience was another dominant aspect of my life is my love for sport and specifically Rugby Union, but as all sports people know, playing days don’t last forever so reflecting on life after being on the pitch also become important.

My conclusion; I needed a new profession helping other people and exploring how this could be applied to a sporting context, and the concept of Try Talking was born.

This sounds very decisive, but I can assure you this developed out of a very unhappy version of myself. I chose to seek something more fulfilling and such a life-changing decision brought with it financial risk and insecurity that was anxiety inducing. So, during my period of re-education, I used my therapy time to explore my preparation for sporting retirement and new identification as a psychotherapist and business owner.

To read more about the research I have conducted on attitudes toward psychological support requirements during transitions out of sport please follow this link. It is based on this research that the specialist services provided by Try Talking for athletes and sporting organisations have been developed, with an aim to fight the stigma against seeking support and normalising therapy in even the most competitive environments.

Shelley

Director/Counsellor

Try Talking Ltd

Fiona

I’m now part of the Try Talking team and this is an exciting chapter of my life.

I support young people and adults to understand themselves, learn how to cope with difficult situations and be authentic in who they are. We are all unique and by tailoring the therapeutic process to what suits the individual, my aim is to work with clients throughout a process of change and help find the answers within. This is why my sessions are integrative to provide the best approach to suit the needs of each client. I am a fully qualified therapist and registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

I have developed a wealth of experience of working with adults and young people in different settings. For over twenty years, I have worked in the education sector; my role as a teacher provides me with a wealth of experience of working with children. I have worked with various education organisations and healthcare settings from GP Practices, Women’s Centres to school counselling. I continue with both roles, holding both qualified teacher and counsellor status and actively engage in Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

In my spare time I enjoy swimming, reading, writing and whenever possible, hiking. There’s nothing better than reaching the top of a summit whether it’s Edale, Ingleborough or the Wrekin!

I offer face-to-face session at Made For More alongside Shelley, so to get in touch through the website, use the Get InTouch – North contact form or call 07773062404.

Bethan