Hilda Bellamy

Counsellor

Pronouns - She/Her

I have been counselling adults, adolescents and children since 2017, working in both secondary and primary settings with staff and students and in adult integrative agencies. I have a wide range of experience in supporting clients to an improved sense of wellbeing and offer flexibility in approach.

 

I hope to provide a safe, empathic and non-judgemental space for people to explore their experiences and be actively heard and understood. Through close attunement and tracking my clients gain greater awareness and understanding fostering increased self-compassion, which enables progress to take place. I view the therapeutic relationship as a 'we' - I offer my authentic self as a co-worker and one who recognises that I'm not the expert on another person's life but I am a facilitator - offering my reflections, observations and ideas to aid my clients' processing and promoting active change towards their goals.

 

I feel that working with all aspects of troubling experience: thoughts (often involving self-critical and self-limiting beliefs), feelings, behaviours and sensory aspects, provides a full picture from which key areas to work on emerge. As new research has highlighted effective approaches I have incorporated these and as a result my approach draws on a range of theories: attachment theory, interpersonal neurobiology, cognitive behavioural approaches, internal family systems, trauma-informed approaches, mindfulness, along with sensorimotor and polyvagal theory. My clients soon find the way of working that suits them. I ensure that my clients have access to a range of high quality and evidence-based resources related to their particular concerns and we would have regular reviews to discuss levels of satisfaction with the therapy.

 

I have a particular interest in neurodiverse conditions in adults and young people and have worked with clients with ASD, ADHD, OCD and PTSD. I have read widely on this subject.

In April 23 I completed online training with Sean Inderbitzen APSW, MINT, on polyvagal-informed therapy for autism. Porges' polyvagal theory suggests that ASD is 'a common threat state which initiates defensive responses such as 'anxiety, poor social interaction and hypersensitivity' (Porges et al, 2013). This theory allows an ASD presentation to change according to the state of the autonomic nervous system - supporting the use of mindfulness, sensorimotor skills, bilateral stimulation, a focus on positives and greater mastery of habitual responses. Russell Barkley's theory of executive functioning (Barkley, 2011) and Adaptive Information Processing theory (Shields et al, 2016) also provide useful frameworks for helpful interventions. Whether to pursue a diagnosis and processing the impact of one are important parts of the therapy.

 

Hilda is a specialist in the assessment and treatment of:

  • ADHD

  • Anger

  • Anxiety - Stress

  • Anxiety - Generalised (GAD)

  • Anxiety - Health

  • Panic / Panic Attacks

  • Anxiety - Performance

  • Anxiety - Separation

  • Anxiety - Fears of abandonment

  • Anxiety - Social

  • Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

  • Depression - Low Mood

  • Self Harm

  • Emotional Regulation

  • Grief / Bereavement / Loss

  • Low Self-Esteem

  • Parenting Issues

  • Perfectionism

  • Relationship - Attachment issues

Hilda is also very experienced in the treatment of;

  • Addictions - Substance

  • Addictions - Gaming / Gambling / Other

  • Anxiety - Agoraphobia

  • Anxiety - Phobias

  • Depression - Seasonal Affective Disorder

  • Gender Identity Issues

  • Miscarriage

  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

  • Pain management

  • Relationship - Codependency

  • Relationship - Communication difficulties

  • Relationship - Doubt in relationship

  • Sleep - Problems

  • Trauma - Childhood Trauma

  • Trauma - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

  • Trauma - Road Traffic Accidents

  • Career Coaching

  • Work - General

  • Work - Bullying

  • Work - Stress

Therapeutic approaches and models of practice Hilda is able to use in her therapy:

  • Integrative Therapy

  • Interpersonal therapy

  • Mindfulness

  • Person-centred therapy

  • Sensorimotor psychotherapy

  • Polyvagal theory

  • Compassionate Inquiry

  • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

  • Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)

  • Coaching (Career / Life)

  • Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)

  • Psychodynamic therapy

  • Schema

    Hilda works with:

  • All adults, across the whole age range from 18 years + 

  • Adolescents (10 - 18 Years)

  • Children (Under 10 Years)

Feedback from Hilda’s Clients

“Starting with a new therapist is a little daunting, but from the first session Hilda made me feel at ease and totally comfortable. Working with Hilda enabled me to reflect on what had happened to me and to name my feelings associated with the issues. Throughout our sessions I felt listened to and confident to discuss anything. Although she had a lot of clients, she remembered details of my story. I felt valued and safe to talk which was really important to me.” Anonymous

“I called upon Hilda’s services when my work/life balance and the emotions I felt proved tricky to handle. I was welcomed by a bright, warm and friendly smile, which instantly made me feel safe. I was also offered a reassuring and understanding voice to help guide me through the termoil of feelings that I felt. It didn’t take many sessions before I felt better, stronger and more confident in my abilities. I can highly recommend Hilda’s approach, which is kind, gentle and encouraging.” Anonymous

Hilda’s professional Qualifications & Accreditations

  • BACP accredited - membership number 00904157

  • Level 4 diploma in therapeutic counselling,

  • Spurgeons college, Aug 2019

  • Level 3 certificate in counselling skills for working with children, Place2be, Nov 2017

  • Level 2 Award in counselling skills for working with children, Place2be Mar 2017

What is a Counsellor?

A Counsellor is a trained professional who provides a safe, confidential space for individuals to discuss their thoughts and feelings. They actively listen, offer empathy and guidance, and create a supportive environment. Counsellors specialise in various areas, prioritise the client's well-being, and promote mental and emotional health. They undergo education and training, focusing on holistic well-being and client-centered approaches.

 

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