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 complete a MSc in Counselling & Psychotherapy, researching therapeutic support in sporting retirements.

As a Person-Centred Counsellor, I offer individuals and couples a non-judgemental safe environment within which it is hoped a trusted relationship will develop, allowing openness with thoughts, 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 develop and reach their potential. Things I neglected were missing out on family life and creative hobbies I loved.

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

My conclusion; I need a new profession helping other people and explore how this could be applied to a sporting context.

This sounds very decisive but I can assure you this developed out of a very unhappy version of myself, seeking something more fulfilling but also such a life changing decision brought with it financial risk and insecurity that was anxiety inducing.

The second experienced I have hinted at already, but during my period of re-education I used my therapy time to explore my preparation for sporting retirement.

Shelley

Director/Counsellor

Try Talking Ltd