Annette Ansell

Depression and Suicide

Much can be said about depression and/or suicidal thoughts, they have many causes and roots and there are a number of ways to combat them. They are often coupled with a sense of hopelessness and helplessness. There are ways out of depression and suicidal ideation that we could discuss together and find a way out and forward that suits you.

Low Self-esteem

Often coupled with depression low self-esteem also has many causes and roots. Examining our belief systems can often lead to insights into why we ended up with such low self-esteem, and thereby reveal the way towards a greater sense of self-worth and confidence.

Relationship difficulties

This is one of the most common reasons for people wanting to talk to someone. Relationships come under pressure for myriad reasons, money, distance, age, long work hours, children, growing apart, and affairs. Talking things through with someone who has no emotional investment in you staying together or separating can be a useful way of getting clarity about what you want.

Workplace Bullying

Some clients are subjected to unreasonable pressure, discrimination and humiliation in many forms. Often people don’t realise that what they are going through is bullying. Talking things through could help to understand what is happening and draw up a strategy for what to do about it.

Stress

Some stress is healthy, pressure can be motivational and if responded to appropriately can help people to achieve more than they thought they could. However, too much stress causes emotional and psychological distress, which is unhealthy. Recognising the differences, and working out the optimal level of stress for you can lead to a more productive and fulfilling work/life balance.

Domestic Violence

I have worked for 9 years with women affected by domestic violence both as a counsellor and supervisor of other counsellors who work on a voluntary basis with women who have been, or who are currently experiencing domestic violence. Domestic violence often goes unrecognised, or minimised, because to do so would involve enormous upheaval, emotionally and physically. Talking things through with someone who has no emotional investment in you staying together or separating can be a useful way of getting clarity about what you want.

Rape and Childhood Sexual Abuse

People are often surprised by how many women (young and older) are affected by childhood sexual abuse ; approximately 1 in 6, probably more as much of it goes unreported for fear of not being believed, or because they have been threatened with reprisals if disclosed. Thankfully we are beginning to understand how many men and young boys are also affected by it. Recognising what constitutes abuse, and acknowledging that it is a big deal and gaining insight and understanding can set us off on the road to recovery. No pressure will be placed on you to make disclosures of sexual abuse any further than you wish.

Bereavement and Loss

All trainee counsellors do a voluntary placement. Mine was with a bereavement service in North West London for two years. Since then I have counselled many people who have suffered bereavement or loss of a loved one through death, divorce, separation due to war, working abroad, or through being an asylum seeker or immigrant to this country. Bereavement is a natural process that we all go through, in a variety of ways that are normal for each of us. Talking through the process, and gaining insight and understanding can be helpful in coming to terms with a loss.

T-1 Client: Hilary
Working with Annette was a truly unique experience. The counselling relationship I experienced with her was unlike any other relationship I had encountered. The level of empathy and understanding that was present along with a feeling of being in a totally ‘safe’ environment proved to be extremely healing. To be in a relationship free of judgement and to feel as though I was actually heard for the first time enabled me to function much more openly in all my relationships without fear of rejection or judgement. To say that the counselling relationship I experienced with Annette changed my life sounds extremely dramatic but that is exactly how it is. Although each day still provides new challenges I know I can face these and come through without feeling totally obliterated. This would not have been the case if I hadn’t have made the choice to enter counselling.