about try talking

Try Talking was launched in early 2019 and is growing in reputation within partnerships, individuals and couples requiring support with their mental health.
Shelley and Louise aim to challenge the mental health stigma by reaching clients within partnership environments where clients feel comfortable and supported in their personal development both physically and mentally.

We are friendly, empathetic listeners who are here to provide you with a safe space to explore your emotions, free of judgement and societal pressures. We believe in the mental health benefits of exercise so offer our sessions from gym environments through partnerships, but also have private rooms away from the gym for those who may not feel so comfortable in this environment. Anyone can get in touch with Try Talking for support, we are happy to help and listen.

Life is challenging and it is easy to lose connection with ourselves with feelings of being overwhelmed and anxious. Self-esteem and confidence can be lost making the smallest of day-to-day challenges feel impossible.

We offer a space of safety and compassion where you can explore your emotions working to connect with yourself and others again. Where you can be heard and begin to remember what it feels like to just be you, without outside pressures and labels.

Whether you know change is coming or someone else determines your change in circumstance, we believe it is important to recognise the impact and how it makes you feel. Enabling you to work through it and come out the other side feeling capable and confident.

2022 saw the latest Try Talking growth with Louise joining and leading our South East of England partnerships and clinics, as well as Try Talking developing Psycho-educational services with partners such as; British Weightlifting and Surrey County Cricket.

As we continue to grow, we aim to increase our clinic locations to facilitate face-to-face sessions, we also provide remote therapy sessions via online and telephone services, reaching all corners of the UK and supporting some clients as they travel abroad. Additionally, we continue to look for partners keen to invest in the mental health and resilience of their employees and athletes, by working with us to develop bespoke psycho-educational workshops, online content, and curriculums.
Make a partnership request or personal referral via the contact us form.

meet the team

Louise

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

Counsellor – Try Talking South

Try Talking Ltd

Shelley

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

Hello, I’m Fiona, a BACP registered counsellor and I’m excited to become a part of the Try Talking team. I strongly believe in the mental health benefits of therapy and exercise, and as a regular gym goer and runner I definitely use exercise for both enjoyment and as a way of coping with the stresses of daily life.

I come from a creative background, having studied Music at the Royal Northern College of Music (BMus Hons, Bachelor of Music) and Guildhall School of Music & Drama (MMus Masters in Music) and working as a professional orchestral musician, playing the flute and teaching in various educational settings. But I have also experience the pressure of working in a corporate environment, having worked for a number of years as a buyer. My varied professional experiences have given me a a broad understanding of challenges people can face in very different walks of life. And when life’s challenges, including family illness, led me to search out a career helping others, counselling called and I trained at The University of Salford where I gained a PG Dip (level 7) in Counselling & Psychotherapy.

I offer one to one person centred counselling that is client led and focused on you as an individual, working at your pace. I create supportive, empathic, confidential space for you to explore issues you feel are affecting your life or relationships.

I have supported clients with many different issues, such as depression, anxiety and low self esteem. However, I have developed a few areas of specialist expertise focused on supporting people going through bereavement and those undergoing cancer treatment, which came about through experience in a clinical placement with the NHS Wellbeing Counselling Service at Trafford General Hospital. I also take a special intester in supporting people who have been affected by domestic violence, and I provide volunteer counselling with a service specialising in supporting victims of Domestic Violence.

I have utilised therapy myself and I understand how daunting it can be to take the first steps, so I prioritise making your experience as stress free as possible. Reach out, the support is here. Talking truly helps.

Fiona

Counsellor – Try Talking North

Try Talking Ltd

Bethan

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

Counsellor – Try Talking North | Made for More

Try Talking Ltd

In sharing these experiences, we hope to initiate positive and trusting relationships with any potential clients or partners.

We look forward to working with new clients and partners, learning about each unique experience and being supportive and reflective companions.

clinic locations - north

blend centre

9a Northenden road
Sale
Greater Manchester
M33 2DH


clinic locations - north

made for more

63 Weymouth Road
Eccles
Manchester
M30 8TH


clinic locations - south east

locker 24

Building E
Hamm Moor Lane
Addlestone
KT15 2SD


clinic locations - south east

Try Talking South East

2 Quarry Gate
Shalford Road
Guildford
GU1 3XL