Zoe Cooke

Clients I work with

I work with young adults (18+), adults and older adults.

My approach

Reaching out for help takes courage at a time when you might be struggling, feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or generally stuck. My aim is to help you feel comfortable and safe within therapy, to build trust, and help you work through what has led you to reach out.

I offer warmth and sensitivity to create a reflective and non-judgemental space where we can explore whatever is on your mind in confidence.

Everyone’s reason for seeking therapy is unique to them.

Counselling and psychotherapy can help to:

• deepen your level of understanding about yourself and your situation;
• improve your emotional well-being and develop new coping strategies e.g. calming techniques;
• process past experiences or future worries so that you can move forwards and feel more in control;
• explore current or past relationships;
• build your self-esteem, confidence, or personal resilience; and
• empower you to make changes to live a more fulfilling, peaceful, or authentic life.

My experience

I have worked in a wide variety of therapeutic settings across the higher education sector (supporting staff and students), voluntary and charity sectors including in specialist services (trauma recovery, services focussing on women’s needs).

This broad experience means I have helped clients of all ages with a wide range of issues including anxiety, depression, stress, physical health worries, relationship difficulties, trauma, bereavement / other losses, life transitions / changes, work related issues, women’s health issues, neurodiversity, and identity struggles.

I am particularly interested in helping clients with:

trauma recovery – trauma at any stage of your life may have left you feeling on edge, distressed, numb, confused, or alone. I use a trauma informed approach to support clients with their healing from different types of traumas including domestic abuse, sexual violence, and coping after a traumatic loss;

work related issues e.g. stress, burnout, bullying, imposter syndrome, perfectionism – an interest which stems from working in large private and public sector organisations and seeing how the workplace can impact on psychological health;

relationship issues e.g. communication struggles, relationship breakdowns, challenging family dynamics, and impact of major life events on relationships. I have helped clients increase their awareness of how they relate to others including understanding relational patterns and process intense or difficult emotions. Exploring our relationships can help to build stronger / healthier relationships with others and with ourselves; and

living with long term health conditions – I have supported clients to explore what their conditions mean to them, process what they are going through, and develop ways to manage better day to day and live a full life.

How I work with clients

I am a relationally trained therapist which means I see a strong and trusting therapeutic relationship with an empathic connection as key to bringing about change. We would work collaboratively and at a pace which suits you. I offer short-term and long-term therapy.

I work in an integrative way which means I use a range of different counselling theories and techniques depending on the nature of the issue, and will tailor my approach to what might work best to suit your needs.

Training and Qualifications

• Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy (Distinction) – University of Leeds
• Certificates in Counselling Studies – Levels 2 and 3
• Trained to work therapeutically in a trauma-informed way with a holistic approach to trauma recovery.
• Trained to work affirmatively with neurodiversity.
• I regularly undertake CPD training courses on a broad range of counselling related topics. Recent examples include training on relationships after trauma, working with shame, working with anxiety and fostering self-compassion.

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Booking information

My fee is £50 per session and a session lasts 50 minutes.

I offer sessions in-person (daytime and evening), online by video (Zoom or Microsoft Teams), and by telephone.

If you would like to find out more about how we could work together then I offer a free introductory telephone call of 20 minutes.

Please contact me by emailing zoe@victoriatherapycentre.co.uk or by telephone: 07726 462131.