Hi, I’m Amanda.
Adult, young person and child counselling.
(Taunton, Wellington, Bridgwater and throughout the South West)
I am a qualified Counsellor, providing counselling for adults, young people and children. I am also a qualified Eating Disorder Therapist. My role is to support your journey towards good mental health while understanding that in today's ever-changing, demanding world, good mental health and maintaining it, is not always straightforward. Either in-person/face to face and/or online sessions are available, whichever suits you.
My professional background before counselling includes experience of the business world with 16 years of working in retail, HR, training, and IT. More recently, 20 years’ experience as a teacher has given me invaluable knowledge of children and teenager development and insight in how to work with them in a compassionate and creative way.
BA Hons, PGCE, Adv.Dip.Int Couns., PQ Dip. Eating Disorders, MBACP, enhanced DBS.
My approach will always be about you and the relationship we develop together so that you can move towards a more positive way of life.
I passionately believe that through counselling, adults, young people and children alike can find the space and support to navigate and achieve a healthier way of life. This can support a range of mental health difficulties, for example: trauma, anxiety, depression, low moods, low self-esteem, relationship problems and coping mechanisms such eating disorders.
Working with you, I will help you to develop a more resilient, confident, happier future where your mental health is stronger as a result.
All adults, young people and children deserve to be heard, supported and to blossom whatever their needs or situation. Everyone has the right to live a healthy, fulfilled life.
Creating a safe, confidential space
You may be coping with a variety of mental health issues such as trauma, anxiety, depression, low moods, low self-esteem, relationship problems, eating disorders and a safe counselling environment is crucial. We will create a safe environment where you feel heard, cared for, valued and able to talk. Within this supportive environment, you will become more robust, resilient and reflective, while your confidence and self-esteem will grow, safe in the knowledge that within ethical and legal boundaries, everything you share is in confidence.
We will start by building mutual trust and respect, creating a safe and non-judgemental space for us to explore your thoughts, feelings, behaviours and anxieties. We will work together at your pace, on the issues you choose to bring and towards the goals you want to achieve. Once we have a good idea of these issues and goals, we will follow a personalised plan that will support you in moving forward.
The style of counselling primarily offered is client centred, where we are led by you. Depending on what you would like help with, we may also include psychodynamic techniques to understand how your past might be affecting your present situation and/or focus on achieving your goals in a more structured way using Cognitive Behavioural techniques to explore how your thoughts, beliefs and attitudes affect your feelings and behaviours.
What issues can counselling help with?
Counselling provides you with a safe space without judgement, to share whatever is on your mind, providing care and compassion to help you build effective coping strategies and allow you to feel more confident moving forward.
You might feel alone in a relationship, need help processing a bereavement, a separation or struggling with work, career, family, friends, menopause or eating disorders and health issues. You may be living with low self-esteem, depression or anxiety. I am here to listen and provide the help you need at this time.
Whether you are an adult, a young person or a child, I am experienced with working with a variety of problems including trauma, anxiety, toxic work relationships, family difficulties, eating disorders and bereavement as well as low self-esteem, lack of confidence, friendship issues, poor body image and unpredictable emotional regulation such as anger management.
My location - Taunton
If you choose face to face, we will meet at my home on the outskirts of Taunton, at the foot of the Quantock Hills. I have a dedicated counselling room and there is private parking available on the driveway. We can also work online if you prefer or if your location means that face to face is not practical.
Terms, pricing & confidentiality
Individual Counselling: £60.00
Fees are paid by bank transfer, 24 hours in advance of each session. Missed appointments or cancelled appointments with less than 24 hours’ notice, are payable in full.
Client information is confidential and, except for ethical and legal reasons, is not shared with anyone. For example, in circumstances where someone's personal safety is deemed to be at risk, there is an ethical and legal requirement to share information with the appropriate professionals.
Further reading...
Thought of the Month
I am writing this while sitting waiting for my tyres to be checked and dreading the news of what my tyres might cost! As I wait with people who I don’t know, smiling, laughing and chatting together, I am struck by the healing power of a smile and laughter. I am reminded that smiling and laughter is infectious and so good for us. It can boost our mood, give us a tougher immune system, and maybe even help us to live longer! Especially at the moment, amongst the constant news of doom and gloom, let’s grab every opportunity we can to keep smiling and laughing!
Health Perks
· Happy Hormones: Smiling and laughing unleash endorphins, which are basically your body's natural happy pills and pain relievers.
· Chill Out: Laughter is like a stress-busting superhero. It lowers your blood pressure and stress hormones, making you feel way calmer and can also help chill out anxiety and the blues.
· Immune System Boost: Laughter kicks your immune system into high gear by lowering stress hormones and boosting those germ-fighting cells. Basically, it helps you stay healthy.
· Heart-Healthy: Laughing is like a mini-workout for your heart. It gets the blood flowing better, which is great for keeping your ticker in top shape.
· Pain Relief: Those endorphins we talked about? They're also awesome at easing pain.
· Muscle Relaxer: A good belly laugh can melt away tension and relax your muscles for almost an hour.
· Burns Calories: Laughing can help you burn a few extra calories during the day.
Good Vibes Benefits
· Mood Booster: Smiling and laughing release endorphins, the "happy hormone," which makes you feel good and less stressed.
· Bye-Bye, Negative Thoughts: Laughter helps you ditch the negativity and gives your brain a break. Forget your worries for a bit and stop those annoying, repetitive bad thoughts.
· Bounce Back Better: Smiling through tough times helps you cope and stay more positive.
· Make Friends Easier: Smiling makes you seem more friendly and approachable, so you'll connect with people better. Laughter's contagious, so it can bring everyone together.
Bonus Round!
· Maybe Live Longer?: People who laugh a lot might just stick around longer. Some studies show they're less likely to get heart problems or infections.
· Natural Beauty Treatment: Those face muscles you use when you smile? They can actually tone your skin and get rid of toxins. Who needs Botox?
· Emotional Release: Laughter is a great way to let out all those feelings you've been holding in. It can even help you deal with arguments and stress.
· Brain Power-Up: Laughing can make you think better, be more creative, and remember stuff easier.
One of my all time favourite poems I used to love to read to my class when I was a teacher...
Smile
Smiling is infectious
You catch it like the flu
When someone smiled at me today
I started smiling too
I walked around the corner
And someone saw me grin
When he smiled I realised
I had passed it on to him
I thought about the smile
And then realised its worth
A single smile like mine
Could travel round the earth
So if you feel a smile begin
Don’t leave it undetected
Start an epidemic
And get the world infected
Spike Milligan
Get in touch
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how therapy works or to arrange an initial no obligation phone conversation.
This enables us to discuss the reasons you are thinking of coming to therapy, whether it could be helpful for you or your child and if I am the right therapist to help.
All enquiries are usually answered within 48 hours Monday to Friday and all contact is strictly confidential. If you do not receive a response from me, please check your junk or spam folder in case it has been filed there.
You are able to contact me directly through my email address: hello@amandabrookewebbcounselling.co.uk or via this contact form.
Should your concern be specifically Eating Disorders, you can also contact the Eating Disorder Recovery Clinic where I am the Specialist Adult, Children's and Young Person Eating Disorder Counsellor.