Cactus Counselling

Counselling for when you're feeling prickly.

Welcome!

I'm a counsellor who specialises in transactional analysis. Previous clients have described me as open-minded, gentle, direct, and creative.

The clients I'm best suited for are at least one of the following (click links for more details):

• neurodivergent, or believe they might be
• childless not by choice, or exploring being childfree by choice
• estranged from family, or are feeling conflicted about limiting or stopping contact with family
• couples

Plus, I can help with a wide variety of other issues, including anxiety and depression.

My Approach

I take an approach of radical self-acceptance, and treat neurodivergence as something to be embraced, and even enjoyed, in a world that remains very neurotypically orientated.

Radical acceptance also helps with explorations around childfreedom. Many people, especially women, are choosing not to have children nowadays, and this opens up lots of questions about what they might do instead (if indeed, they want to do anything 'big'), and how to respond to pressure applied by family and friends to have children. I even run a group, both online, and in person, to discuss all aspects of childfreedom! Ask me for more details if you're interested, or check out my page where I talk about the group.

On the subject of childfreedom, Bristol Womens' Voice has hired me to run a workshop on the 15th of April in Bristol! If you identify as female, feel free to come along - it's a free event, with an emphasis on the intergenerational experience of childlessness and childfreedom!

Estrangement can be a scary and lonely path, and I believe nobody should have to walk it alone. It's also not for everyone, so I stive to offer the support a would-be estranger needs at the time they come to me.

Fees

I charge £60 per session for individuals, and £80 per session for couples.

Availability

I work from Barton Hill Settlement in Easton on Tuesdays and Wednesdays until 3pm, the center of Bristol on Thursdays, and Clifton on Friday afternoons/evenings. I offer Zoom sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, Saturdays or Sundays, and at random other times if needed.

Email me if you have any questions or would like to discuss booking an initial session. Alternatively, use my Contact me form. I look forward to hearing from you!

~Hayley Watkins Dip. Couns. (MNCS Accred)