5 Mill Street, Bideford, EX39 2JT
My name is Tony Matthews - Psychotherapeutic Counsellor
I come from a military family background and served in the Royal Engineers till I was medically discharged. I became a therapist to help people of all ages to learn to understand and manage their lives, emotions and feelings.
For a long time I believed in keeping emotions and feelings to myself because that's what I was taught to do, and if you cried, you were not considered a man. I have learned to let go and share the way I feel, and yes, I cry too, and without feeling ashamed.
I am an integrative psychotherapeutic counsellor and mindfulness practitioner and I believe that we all do the best we can with what we've got.
Yet, we long for change.
Are you willing to take a long, compassionate look at how you got to this point and what steps you will need to take to begin a process of change?
Sometimes, it can be hard to know how to cope with everything and reaching out for help can take a great deal of courage.
Do you feel overwhelmed, stressed, anxious, depressed, hopeless, lonely, confused, scared or even frustrated? Sometimes we feel like we’re stuck or are moving backwards when we want to go forwards.
Whether one tangible issue has prompted you to pursue therapy or you are grappling with a series of existential questions – purpose, identity, faith, doubt – I will consistently and reliably join you to navigate uncharted territory as your healing begins.
I practice understanding, compassion, and warmth and aim to provide thoughtful guidance and insight, while empowering you to take meaningful steps towards greater self-worth, present-mindedness, healthier and deeper relationships, resiliency to navigate change, and conscious living so you can grow and flourish during and beyond therapy.
One thing people worry about the most is, ‘Will this go on any permanent record if I come for therapy around depression, anxiety or other issues?’, the answer is No. Seeing a private therapist for whatever you feel you need to see one is not recorded in any medical file or the like where you worry it may impact on yours or your child’s life choices.
I work with both adults and children and have experience of working with those on the autistic spectrum.
If you are fed up with the way that you feel, see things and want something different for yourself? You don't have to face life's difficulties alone, get in touch, have a chat to see what we do and or how we can help you.
“You Do Not Have to Journey Alone”
Whatever your background, whatever your life has held, there is no shame in feeling, no shame in having emotions, no shame in sharing and no shame in crying.
“Because You are the One that Matters”
Experience & Specialisation
Intagr8 - (2015 - 2019)
Volunteer Counsellor/Psychotherapist Providing counselling in North Devon
Counsellor & support worker - Devon Partnership NHS Trust (2017)
The Historical Trauma Programme Specialist help for survivors of childhood abuse and neglect
My Main areas of working are Trauma, Autism and ADHD, and Couples/Relationship work.
My name is Belinda Shackson - Counsellor
I am a fully qualified Person centred Integrative Counsellor. I have worked with numerous clients presenting a broadened variety of issues. I specialise in Bereavement and loss, clients going through the stages of menopause, relationships, couples issues, and clients looking at exploring new ways of relating, whilst looking at their own identity and previous patterns. I also work with clients that are struggling with daily life and living with anxiety/depression. I always put the client first and will endeavour to always hold for them, a safe, and confidential space for us to look into what is really going on for them. The therapeutic relationship is very significant in its healing, and it can often be enough to have empathy and positive regard to facilitate a real process of change and acceptance.
I have been in both chairs, I have been a client, now after 5 years of learning, commitment and hard work I am a therapist. I feel it’s a huge privilege, when I sit with a client and they allow me into their inner world and lived experiences.
As an ethically bound practitioner, I will always put the needs of the client first, I respect their autonomy and will show beneficence throughout the work. I am constantly evolving as a counsellor and committed to working on myself and my own personal development.
Counselling isn’t for everyone, but for those who take that brave first step to seek out therapy it can be transformative.
You will often see inspirational messages and philosophical quotes in all sorts of places on all sorts of things, social media is awash with them. I particular like ‘if you can be anything in this world, be kind’ no doubt you will have read that one somewhere.
My absolute personal favourite, that really resonates with me and aligns with my own values as a therapist is-
“ Know all the theories, master all the techniques, but as you touch another human soul be just another human soul”- Carl Jung
Experience & Specialisation
I have worked as a volunteer counsellor for 2 and a half years, and specialise in loss and bereavement, and couples/relationship therapy.
Voluntary work with elderly (friendship group), and stages of menopause support.
My main area of working is Bereavement and Grief, and Couples/Relationship work.
My name is Terry Barton - Student Counsellor
“When a person realizes they have been deeply heard, their eyes moisten. I think in some real sense they are weeping for joy. It is as though they were saying, "Thank God, somebody heard me. Someone knows what it's like to be me".
Carl Rogers.
I am in my final year, re-training to become a Therapeutic Counsellor. My life’s journey has taken me from an individual with no sense of self, to a mature male who can offer a mature perspective on a whole host of life experiences and facets of life, both good and bad.
My journey has taught me that expressing emotions both verbally and physically is crucial in developing and maintaining relationships with both others and one’s self.
As a person-centred practitioner, I feel it is important to ensure that you remain the focus of any issues you wish to share in an effort to allow for a sense of autonomy.
I believe I am in a position to offer support in the exploration of whatever issues you wish to bring to the room, in a fully empathic, non-judgemental, genuine manner, whilst reflecting a warm and safe space.
The process of change can feel a lonely one. To have someone who can be “walking beside you” can give an individual a sense of safe disclosure that can lead to a more explicit, self-caring person.
Experience
Toad Counselling Ltd - 2022