Hi - my name is Becky Cooling, and I’m passionate about people and supporting them on their own personal journeys, helping them gain clarity around what’s going on in their life, and improving their mental health and wellbeing.

I use what’s referred to as a person-centred approach, which is where you are central to the process of therapy. I create a safe, calm, and impartial environment to help you identify and explore the challenges you face, develop a better understanding of your situation, and facilitate change to deal with this in the future.

“To hold space is to create a safe space to support someone - to accept
them just as they are, without judgement, or to try to change them”

Why Counselling?

There are many reasons why you may be considering speaking with a counsellor - you could be feeling stuck, lost, overwhelmed, worried, anxious, alone, or depressed. It could be as a result of significant life events, loss, health issues, trauma, or perhaps just the ongoing challenges of life.

But regardless of why, everyone’s situation is unique - and a counsellor can provide that 1:1 support tailored to your individual circumstances.

Counselling can support you in many different ways - such as:

  • Processing feelings and trauma

  • Understanding emotional neglect

  • Breaking unhealthy patterns

  • Developing improved self-awareness

  • Working through challenging relationship dynamics

  • Adjusting to major life transitions

  • Boosting self-esteem and self-confidence

  • Coping with grief and loss

How I can help

  • 1:1 Counselling

    Counselling can be valuable for individuals dealing with a variety of issues. I have experience supporting various client groups, including working professionals, parents, LGBTQ+, and carers, and work closely to understand their individual circumstances.

  • Anxiety & Depression

    Counselling is commonly used to help those experiencing anxiety and depression, whether this is having a subtle effect on life, or imposing a major impact. I work with clients at both ends of the spectrum to help them better manage their overwhelming feelings.

  • Women's Health & Menopause

    Women’s health issues and menopause are complex, and often focus on physical symptoms and solutions. With considerable expert knowledge and experience in this field, I take a multi-factored approach to support you as you deal with your challenges.

  • Long-term Health Conditions

    Long term health conditions can have a major effect on mental wellbeing, with a significant impact on day-to-day life. I use my extensive experience to help clients explore this often unseen impact, and find ways to better manage the emotional strain.

  • Neurodivergence

    Being neurodivergent impacts how a person experiences the world, and can have a major impact on mental wellbeing. As someone passionate about neurodiversity, I am able to help clients develop strategies tailored to their individual needs.

  • Bereavement & Loss

    Loss can be felt as a result of many causes, such as relationship breakdown, unemployment, health conditions, life transitions, and bereavement. I offer counselling to help deal with the many profound and difficult feelings that this can trigger.

About me

I spent the first twenty years of my career supporting and caring for people in a variety of nursing roles. Over the last decade I have become increasingly aware of the importance of offering and prioritising robust mental health and emotional support, in addition to managing physical health needs. This led me to build on this experience and become a counsellor.

This combination of understanding both mental wellbeing as well as physical conditions allows me to gain a deep understanding of an individual’s holistic needs, and ensures they can maximise the benefit they get from a counselling relationship.

I am a strong believer that the most effective outcomes come from when people are involved in their own counselling journey, which is why I focus on person-centred counselling. I provide a safe space for clients to share and be heard, encourage their autonomy, and help them to increase their own understanding of self as we work through the issues they face.

I support clients with a variety of needs, and have particular experience and interest in a number of fields including women’s health, menopause, long-term health conditions, and neurodiversity.

Governing Body

I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), the professional association for members of the counselling professions in the UK, and operate under the ethical framework they have established to protect both clients and counsellors.

Qualifications  

  • SEG Awards ABC Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, Wakefield College

  • SEG Awards ABC Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills, Leeds City College

  • SEG Awards ABC Level 2 Award in Counselling Concepts, Wakefield College

  • Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling

  • Mental Health First Aider (MHFA)

  • Diploma Of Higher Education In Nursing, The University of Leeds

  • Certificate in Palliative care, The University of Leeds

What to Expect

I provide face to face counselling for clients from my dedicated, confidential room in Wakefield, which is easily accessible from the M62 and M1 for clients across Wakefield, Pontefract, Castleford, Leeds and surrounding areas.

Alternatively, online counselling can be helpful for those looking to fit counselling around their lifestyle, working hours, or for those not based locally. Our conversations will be held from my dedicated counselling space using secure video conferencing technology.

Both short and long-term therapy is available, depending on your needs, and we will review your progress regularly to ensure you are getting everything you need from the counselling sessions.

Each counselling session lasts 50 minutes and costs £50.

Get in touch

I offer an initial free 30-minute telephone conversation, which allows us to get to know each other, helps me understand your individual needs, and assess how I will be able to help.