Change at the root
Specialist Adults and Couples Counselling & Psychotherapy in Ilkley, West Yorkshire and online.
Highly Qualified Trauma-Informed Counsellor, Couples Therapist and Relationship Psychotherapist. 26 Years Experience.
I'm Samantha, an experienced and highly qualified Trauma-Informed Counsellor, Psychotherapist and Couples Counsellor based in Ilkley, West Yorkshire. I provide in person appointments in Bradford and Leeds, as well as online appointments across the UK. I'm also registered and accredited by BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy) and adhere to their ethical framework and professional standards.
My experience and training spans 26 years, some in the voluntary sector (Off The Record, The Women's Centre, NHS) the NHS (Staff Counsellor and Adult Mental Health Therapist), and for the last 20 years in private practice.
My specialist areas of study and experience are ; Couples Counselling/Relationship Psychotherapy and Childhood Trauma (experiences in childhood that affect a child into adulthood, including abuse and neglect). These specialist areas are usually interlinked, as our childhood experiences affect our adult relationships.
Why choose me as your Therapist?
- I have 26 years experience of working with thousands of adults and I've learnt what works best for long term outcomes.
- I'm highly qualified; I have a Masters Degree in Counselling , Advanced Diploma in Relationship Psychotherapy and I've updated my training to incorporate Trauma (what it is, how it affects adults and how to help)
- I'm BACP Accredited. This means I've met certain criteria through a rigorous assessment process, ensuring I work ethically and professionally, number: 0054037
- I'm registered with the ICO (Information Commissioners Office)
number: A8794694, keeping your information safe and private.
- I have professional liability insurance with Holistic Insurance Services number: HIS10660
Counselling & psychotherapy for adults & couples
We are all unique with different past experiences, emotional wounds, viewpoints, worldviews, quirks and brains that work uniquely too.
I work from an Attachment Focussed perspective, knowing our early experiences as a child shape us and form unconscious patterns into adulthood, especially relationships with ourself and others.
I'll provide you with a safe physical and emotional space to hear and validate you. My purpose is to learn about you, and help you understand you and your experiences better, so you can make the changes you need to live a more content, confident and authentic life.
Some examples of common reasons you may need my help as an individual or couple;
-Relating to people who cannot take care of you emotionally
-Giving a lot, but not knowing how to receive
-Repeating the same arguments not knowing why they hurt so much
-Avoiding hard conversations for fear of rejection
-Seeming extremely independent
-Living with stress or anxiety as if it were normal
-Comparing yourself, minimising yourself
-Waiting for constant validation, and if you don't get it, you drift away
If you’re interested to learn more about counselling, psychotherapy, couples counselling or clinical supervision, please read on (there are links to the individual services I provide with more information)and reach out with any questions.
How I can help you:
What issues can counselling help with?
People come to me for help with a wide range of issues. Here are a few of the more common difficulties that can be supported through counselling:
Feelings of stress, fear/overwhelm
A general unhappiness or not satisfied
Impulsive, passive, avoidant behaviours
Relationship problems
Grief, loss or bereavement
Addictions - a reliance on a substance/activity
Childhood Trauma( including CPTSD, DID, BDP)
Feeling down or low in mood/depressed
Problems with confidence or self-esteem
Anger/frustration/aggressive
Difficulties at work or in retirement
Problems with family or friends
Client testimonials
Experience & specialisms
I've been supporting adults as a trauma-informed Psychotherapist and Counsellor in Bradford for 26 years. More recently I have expanded my services and now also offer counselling in Leeds.
Because my experience and training goes so far back, knowledge changes, so I updated my training in 2020, to incorporate up-to-date and modern Trauma theory and knowledge (Judith Herman, Janina Fisher, Bessel van der Kolk)). This training helps me understand the impact traumatic childhood experiences (abuse and neglect) has on an individual, and how this affects the brain and nervous system, carrying through into adulthood. This is called Developmental Trauma, as the trauma affects the child's brain development and affects our emotional growth.
I'm also a Relationship Psychotherapist and specialise in Couples Counselling, Marriage Counselling, Couples Therapy in Ilkley, Bradford, and Leeds, and I really enjoy helping couples learn different ways of being in their relationship. I've been helping couples for over 10 years and hold post-graduate qualifications in Relationship Psychotherapy.
As well as helping couples with their relationships, I also help individuals to understand their relational patterns and attachment styles, helping them have the relationships they deserve.
I offer both online and in-person appointments in Ilkley Centre, near Leeds and Bradford.
Training & qualifications
- 2023-2024 - Advanced Diploma Adv(Dip) Relationship Psychotherapy - NAOS London
- 2020 - Modern Trauma Training with Bessell van der Kolk (The Body Keeps The Score)
- 2020 - Gottmans Couples Therapy Training
- 2014-2015 - Diploma (DipSup) Clinical Supervision - Leeds Centre for Psychological Development
- 2003-2005 - Masters Degree (MA) in Counselling - Bradford University
- 1999-2002 - Degree BA(Hons) Counselling & Psychology - Bradford University
Get in touch
I'm here to answer your questions and help you decide whether counselling or therapy is the right next step for you. If you'd like to arrange a free initial consultation, please get in touch. I offer in-person appointments in Ilkley Centre and online sessions across the UK.