Freshwater Counselling

Therapy Wherever You Are

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Welcome, I'm so glad you've found me! I'm Maxine Freshwater, a British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy Accredited Counsellor.

I know that embarking on a course of online counselling might seem a daunting prospect, but I will do my best to ensure we create a space where you are accepted non-judgmentally, where you can grow and learn about yourself. Somewhere you'll feel safe to talk about anything at all in complete confidence.

We can all have times when we feel things aren't going as we'd like. Anxiety, depression, stress, low mood, lack of confidence, anger issues, or just having a generally unfulfilled feeling - these are all things that counselling can help with.

I believe we all have the ability to reach our potential and to live a more meaningful and contented life. You might feel there are barriers or obstacles in your way, or things from your past holding you back, but together we can find a path through to reach whatever goals you may have. Yes, this definitely requires hard work, but if it's worth having, it's worth working for.

You can access therapy with me via telephone or Zoom. Many clients love the convenience of being able to have counselling wherever they are, and I know from experience that therapy can work just as well remotely as face to face - it's perhaps a different way of working from the traditional view of therapy, but it's no less effective.

Let me tell you a little about myself: I'm based in the East of England, I have plenty of experience in remote therapy - having been a telephone counsellor while working with an EAP (Employee Assistance Programme), and working as an approved counsellor for Anxiety UK - providing video counselling.

I have experience in:
  • Private practice, helping clients with many issues including anxiety, stress, depression, loss, life stages, and change management. 
  • NHS and charity organisations. 
  • Volunteering with the Samaritans and CRUSE. 
  • Working for an EAP providing counselling for clients from blue light organisations, government organisations, and the NHS.
  • Both long-term and short-term therapy.
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
  • EMDR Therapy.

I have a Diploma in Integrative Counselling from a BACP Accredited course, and a Diploma in CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy).

I have completed the full EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) training with EMDR Masterclass, and am a member of EMDR UK.

I'm a BACP Accredited counsellor. Here's what the BACP say about accreditation:

'A quality standard for experienced practitioners.'

'The BACP accreditation schemes aim to recognise the achievement of high standards of knowledge, experience, and development in counselling and psychotherapy ... [and the] ... capacity for independent, ethical, and competent practice.'

I also have a Diploma in Hypnotherapy - while I'm not seeing hypnotherapy clients remotely, you can still have a look some articles to find out how hypnotherapy can help - or head on over to Uncommon Knowledge (affiliate links included) where you'll find a wealth of hypnotherapy downloads to help you through any issue, including anxiety, stress, depression, sleep issues, relationship problems, low confidence - and more.

Why not have a look around my site and if you'd like to talk, drop me a message, or send me an email.



'I tried counselling in my early 20s, but I found it hard to open up and express my feelings so I just bottled things up and got on with life as best as I could.

I was feeling a bit unsure after my previous experience ... but during my first telephone session with Maxine I was pleasantly surprised to find that after only about 20 minutes of talking, I found I could open up and discuss things that I've not talked about with anyone ever before ... I wish I'd done it years ago!' - Neil


Zoom Counselling

Connect via Zoom from your phone, tablet, PC, or laptop, wherever you are

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Telephone Counselling

As long as you have your phone and a confidential space, we can talk

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I have partnered with the brilliant resource that is Uncommon Knowledge (affiliate links included). Over on their site you'll find over 1,200 audio mp3 downloads to help you - whatever you're struggling with.

I studied for my Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy over a 12 month period under the amazing Alan Burnett in Swansea. During the course, and since then having seen hundreds of hypnotherapy clients, I can attest to the results it can produce. I have worked with people who have made sometimes subtle, sometimes not so subtle changes after a course of hypnotherapy. 

This, I believe, is down to the power of the subconscious mind.

Hypnotherapy should be a calming, relaxing, enjoyable experience where your conscious mind drifts away, and your subconscious becomes open and more receptive. 

You never relinquish control to the hypnotherapist. This is not stage hypnotism, this is a genuine therapy to help you live a better life. So, you'll always be aware of what's going on. Yes, you might drift off for a while and miss something the hypnotherapist says, but that's ok, your subconscious is always aware. 

Here are some comments from my hypnotherapy clients: 


"Absolutely amazing - I felt relaxed, calm, peaceful, tranquil, and refreshed' - Amy

'You made me feel instantly comfortable - I could be very open with you' - Simon

'Thank you for the relaxing hypnotherapy and warm welcome - it was a totally enjoyable experience' - Bethan


And here's a quote from 'Hypnotherapy for a Better Life': 

'Clinical hypnotherapy is a scientific, evidence-based psychological therapy which is highly effective in the treatment of a range of psychological and physical issues and symptoms. 

Clinical hypnosis has been used within the medical field for many years and its use has been approved by the British Medical Association (BMA), the American Medical Association (AMA), and the British Psychological Society (BPS). 

It is commonly used in the UK National Health Service (NHS) with over 12 per cent of NHS Trusts accessing hypnotherapy services.' Tig Calvert, Hypnotherapy for a Better Life, p. 175. Published by Hodder Education in 2012.


£50

Tel Counselling

£50

Zoom Counselling