THE CONNECTION SPACE COUNSELLING SERVICE
WELCOME TO THE CONNECTION SPACE COUNSELLING SERVICE
Therapeutic Connection
Hello
My name is Robyn Hughes. I am a fully qualified counselling therapist. I approach therapy through a psycho-dynamic, developmental, trauma-informed and creative perspective. Ultimately relational in it’s essence. Our relationship to ourselves and to others. The poet Walt Whitman said "We are multitudes" and we have many parts of ourselves that warrant exploring (e.g. inner child) in order to understand ourselves better in the current moment and how we relate to others
Email theconnectionspace@icloud.com or
phone 07774309745. Your message is important to me and I will return it when able
About me
When I was 5 years my dad had a brain virus which left him severely disabled and affected me and my family profoundly.
As a young teenager in the late 1970's I began experiencing frequent panic attacks and high levels of anxiety which in turn led to episodes of low mood. In those days there was little or no access to therapeutic support except via a medical route.
As an adult I accessed counselling (lots). Some of it was was great, some not so. These experiences all lead to me knowing I wished to practice therapeutically.
Initially, I trained to work with young people (Playwork/Youth Work) before re-training to be a therapist.
I work with people across the lifespan (teens to older adults).
Areas of particular interest are working with people affected by long term health conditions (those living with and those near to them), people who have experienced trauma (that's most of us!) and tricky situations in their younger lives. I work with people who would describe themselves as being on a spectrum e.g ADHD, austism
I have worked in private practice for 7 years and have connections to Cavernoma Alliance Uk Homepage - Cavernoma Alliance UK (CAUK)
I am co-founder of The Connection Space Community Interest Company based in the Derbyshire Dales (we are currently taking a rest from our services post pandemic).
I was until recentlly a member of British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy but am currently exploring alternative professional bodies that fit with my ethical approach more appropriately
I have monthly supervision and receive my own nature based therapy. Both of these are crucial to my processes, wellness, practice and how well I am resourced to do this work.
Being in natural environments offers a space that can enhance and enrich the therapeutic experience.
Taking ourselves out into nature naturally slows down our pace, allowing us to be more mindful.
Our senses may be heightened, and this can invite us to pay more attention to our connection to ourselves, as well as the living world we exist in.
The relationship is at the heart of the therapeutic process. How you as a client feel when working with me.
We work together to gain insight and curiosity about the areas of life that may be causing "stuff"!
We develop a deep foundation of trust, integrity and respect, shaping a safe place to creatively explore common human experiences that may be causing difficulty
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Anxiety - fear
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Depression -sadness
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Worry
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Loss - grief
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Relationships (tricky things!)
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Obsessive and compulsive issues
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Life changes and transitions
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Living with a long term health condition
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Carer stress and burnout
This list is only for guidance - other areas covered
We will pay attention to not only the spoken word but what is being experienced within the sessions - feelings, the dynamic between us, body felt sensations.
I encourage clients to bring all parts of themselves to sessions - even those they may not be to comfortable with.
My role is to facilitate your curiosity and growth. Not to tell you what to do or how to do it.
Sessions last 50 minutes - online/telephone
Sessions last 1 hour or 1.5 hours in nature (time moves differently in the forest!)
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Flexible weekday, weekend or evening availability
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Home visits
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Zoom/online appointments
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One off appointments
A sliding scale is available to support access to talking therapy:-
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Initial assessment £40 one off fee
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Session fees: £40 for people under 21 years old or unemployed
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Session fees: £50 for people over 21 years old and in employment
KEY SERVICES
FACE TO FACE SESSIONS
In person sessions in Matlock, Derbyshire, at an agreed space
Online sessions via Zoom or Teams - Nationwide
Telephone sessions
NATURE BASED THERAPY
An outdoor environment provides a set of conditions that promote mental and physical wellbeing.
Being in natural environments offers a very different space to connect therapeutically. I believe these spaces can elevate and enrich the therapeutic experience.
"Research has consistently shown that even the smallest amounts of nature have measurable effects on our body and brain"
"The evidence for the benefits of spending time in nature is now so compelling that doctors in some parts of Scotland actively prescribe it to their patients for conditions from heart disease to depression".BBC Radio 4 - Just One Thing - with Michael Mosley - How spending time in nature could boost your body and mind
Our senses may be more alert in these spaces and this can invite us to pay more attention to the connection to our whole selves and our surroundings.
NATURE BASED THERAPY
Sessions might include, visiting a view, sitting in a chosen spot, walking and talking or exploring a forest, field, water etc
Nature is full of resources to that might link directly to our lived experience e.g a sanctuary, mirror, seasonal, survival, full of change, full of life and death.
Metaphors offered by nature may develop into insight on feelings, relationships and experiences.
It’s crucially important for me to engage in my own connection to nature on a personal level. I depend on time in nature to reflect, soothe and recharge myself. Away from the pressures of the modern world.
OPENING HOURS
Here When You Need Us
Monday - Thursday
Varied times available
Saturday mornings
