Counsellor

Stephanie is a Trainee Placement Counsellor who started her journey with Dorset Mind through raising donations for a 5km sea fin-swim. Stephanie is a person-centred, integrative counsellor who believes each person is the expert on their own life. She offers a warm, compassionate and non-judgemental space, supporting clients to explore their thoughts, emotions and experiences at their own pace. Listening with empathy, curiosity, and acceptance, Stephanie works collaboratively with clients with mild to moderate difficulties leading to anxiety and depression, to help you gain a greater understanding of yourself, while discovering your way forward. Alongside her counselling training, Stephanie has an interest in the relationship between wellbeing and the natural world. She is a scuba diver and underwater photographer and believes connecting with nature can offer perspective, calm and a sense of renewal. Long term Stephanie is developing her skills as an Ocean Eco-therapist.

Tom is a qualified, person-centred counsellor who offers a calm, down-to-earth space where you stay in the driver’s seat of your own healing. He believes therapy is built on human connection, not just theory. Tom’s journey began four years ago at Dorset Mind, where he served as a mentor and later as a placement counsellor. He has extensive experience supporting adults, children, and young people through trauma, grief, anxiety, and anger. He is also deeply passionate about neurodiversity, providing a space where you can explore yourself without the pressure to mask. His background as a landlord taught him the true value of listening and the importance of hearing people from all walks of life. Tom knows that navigating life can sometimes feel like an uphill battle, but you don't have to do it alone.

Paul has volunteered with Dorset Mind as a befriender for the past two and a half years. His passion to use his person-Centered skills to support individuals in helping them achieve their desired goals has led him to pursue his career in counselling.  He strongly believes that counselling offers a supportive environment where people are able to work through areas of their life that they wish to improve on and change to help them become the person they strive to be.

Charlotte began her journey with Dorset Mind, raising money with donations from a Local Horse Show and proceeds of coffee mornings as a stallholder of textiles. She joined as a Volunteer Counsellor, having trained in Person-centred therapy, and offers empathic, safe and non-judgmental sessions, while supporting clients integratively with additional methods such as a mindfulness toolbox, to be goal-oriented. She's passionate about helping clients find their ability to help and heal themselves through the client counsellor relationship, and feel more positive about their futures.

Karen is a qualified and experienced integrative counsellor working for Dorset Mind. She started working for Dorset Mind as a volunteer counselling children and young people and then moved to the adult service. She has extensive experience working with adults. Karen has a background working in both education and corporate settings. She is experienced in supporting adults who have experienced trauma and has studied the impact of trauma on the brain. Karen’s approach is empathic and inclusive, ensuring that every client feels seen, heard, and understood. She is passionate about creating a safe and supportive environment where clients can explore their feelings, build resilience, and foster positive change.

Lucy is a Dorset Mind Children and Young Peoples counsellor and has been with Dorset Mind since 2021. Lucy has a background of working with young people involved in children’s social care. Lucy’s passion is working with young people, to support them in understanding themselves and the world around them, providing the tools for them to empower themselves and to support them through their journey.

Chris previously worked for Dorset Mind as a befriender. Chris has personal experience of mental health challenges due to work-related stress. He believes counselling is an opportunity for self-exploration and encourages self-reflection as part of the journey to mental health recovery. Chris is an avid gamer passionate about new technology and incorporates this into sessions if clients share similar interests.

Christine leads the Counselling Service, providing a range of subsidised counselling pathways for 121 counselling, for adults seeking counselling with Dorset Mind. Our on-line service, starts with an assessment with Christine, to ensure the service is the right service for you.

Louise previously worked in a secondary school, gaining insight into a variety of life experiences. Louise believes the talking therapies provide a special kind of relationship. Providing a safe and confidential space to talk.

Cathy previously worked for an older person’s community mental health team. After retiring from the NHS, Cathy joined Dorset Mind as a volunteer. Her aim is to empower clients to make their own decisions on how to move forward.