We are a collective of individual counselling professionals with decades of shared experience in our specialisations.
We are based in Bedford. Founder & Director Adriana Cracknell’s private practice has been established since 1997, working within the ethical guidelines set out within BACP and with both Professional Indemnity and Public Liability Insurance. As someone who is trained to listen to your problems, a counsellor can help you develop an understanding of yourself and others, and provide you with the support to work on the problems you face, facilitating positive change. It is a way of reducing confusion and enabling choice; it is not about forcing you to take a particular course of action. During the counselling session, we aim to provide a safe place where you can share your thoughts, feelings and concerns in as much detail as you wish. You will neither be judged nor have ideas or opinions imposed upon you.
How do we work?
We are a team of four individual specialists in various therapies and counselling specialities who have come together.
Contact us to have an initial discussion and to book your first consultation. We will assess your needs and put you in touch with one of our specialists, who seems to be the most suited to you and your needs. From there, initial consultations, rates, accessibility needs, appointment types and more details will be discussed, to begin your counselling journey. Remember there are no initial commitments from either party, so do enquire to see if this could be the right step for you.
We specialise in many issues, including:
Anxiety
Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe. It is often the result of feeling as though we cannot cope with the demands placed upon us. Often by thinking about all the things that could go wrong, you feel better prepared to cope if it happens. However thinking in these ways means you are on regular alert and find it difficult to relax and 'switch off' - causing stress.
Depression
There are many causes: Distressing life events, childhood experiences - these can affect you in adult life. ‘Frozen anger’ - you may have gone through something that caused you to become angry, but at the time you couldn’t express your feelings properly, so it becomes suppressed; and become a cause of depression.
Relationships
Trust, respect and communication are three key factors to a successful, happy relationship. When something happens that changes or impacts one of these factors, the relationship can start to break down. Whether as a couple or an individual - you can talk about your concerns and needs.
LGBTQ +
We have specific experience of working with sexual and gender minority clients. Dealing with issues such as: difficulty accepting your sexual orientation, coping with other people's reactions, feeling your body does not reflect your true gender and transitioning, low self-esteem, self-harm, suicidal thoughts. Also offering support for parents and spouses.
Transpersonal Therapies
A humanistic approach to therapy that integrates spiritual concepts and practices into the therapeutic process.
Abuse - Verbal, Physical, Sexual, Domestic
Abuse is any action that violates a person’s human or civil rights. It can take many forms and involves a number of factors. It can occur anywhere and be in your past or present. Victimized people commonly develop emotional or psychological problems secondary to their abuse, including anxiety disorders and various forms of depression.
Trauma and The Body
Trauma affects the nervous system and brain, leading to physical and emotional responses. The brain's amygdala and hippocampus are particularly involved in how trauma is processed and remembered, potentially leading to a state of hypervigilance and difficulty integrating traumatic experiences. We can help you explore this relationship and heal from the impacts of trauma.
Children and Young People
It is a period of transition, many young people struggle with how they feel. If you are a young person and feel sad most of the time and this is affecting your work at school, relationships with friends or family, or you feel like you're just not being you. I will not tell you what to do, but will help you to choose and act on your own decisions.
