Counselling FOR YOU
How I Work
I offer an integrative, trauma-informed approach, using proven methods tailored to your unique journey. Each session is shaped around your needs, at your pace, in a way that feels manageable.
Sessions typically last 60 minutes, and can be extended to 90 minutes.
You can begin with a full session or a free 20-minute consultation, online or in person.
Integrative Counselling and Trauma Therapy
Welcome!
If you’ve arrived here, you may be longing for change, clarity, or simply a sense of peace.
Perhaps you’ve been carrying a weight for so long that it’s hard to remember what life feels like without it. During our sessions, I offer a space for you to set that weight down to breathe, to be heard, and to be seen.
Your presence matters.
I am Anita Orton, – a counsellor, and a fellow human on my own life journey. I bring compassion, curiosity, and the wisdom of lived experience. My approach is gentle, trauma-informed, and never judgmental.
Together, we’ll take each step at the pace that feels right for you.
My Therapeutic Approach:
At the heart of my practice is a simple truth: healing is a process , not something to be rushed, fixed, or forced. It unfolds gently, in your own time, when you’re met with compassion, safety, and understanding.
I offer an integrative, trauma-informed approach, drawing from a range of therapeutic approaches to support your unique journey. These include:
- Person-Centred Therapy
- Polyvagal Theory
- Internal Family Systems (IFS)
- Family Constellation Work
What connects these approaches is a deep respect for the whole person and the systems we carry within us and around us.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
“Be curious about your inner world…”
Internal Family Systems, the modality developed by Richard C. Schwartz,- it is a powerful approach that views the mind as naturally multiple. In IFS, we work with different parts of your internal system to promote healing and harmony. This method can be especially effective for trauma healing, managing anxiety and depression, improving self-esteem, and enhancing relationships.
What is trauma?
“…trauma is an overwhelming experience that exceeds a person’s ability to cope…” (J. Fisher)
Click here to learn more about IFS.
Please remember, the journey in IFS sessions is unique for each person, and I’m here to support you every step of the way.
Family Constellation Work
Family Constellation work, developed by Bert Hellinger, helps to reveal and heal hidden dynamics within family systems. This approach can be particularly helpful for resolving difficult family relationships, understanding transgenerational patterns and trauma, finding your place within your family system, and addressing issues in your workplace or organisation.
It is a tremendously powerful way to identify and remove energetic blockages. In our sessions, we might use objects to represent family members or aspects of your life, allowing us to see and shift dynamics that were previously invisible.
“Strictly speaking, we don’t get life from our parents – it comes to us through them from far away. They are our connection with the source of life…”
Ready to take the first step? Contact me today to arrange your initial consultation.
Group Sessions
In addition to individual counselling, I offer monthly support groups for women.
These sessions provide a unique opportunity for healing, growth, and connection in a supportive community setting.
Who are these groups for?
Our women’s support group welcomes adult women from all walks of life. It’s particularly beneficial for those navigating:
- Healing from abuse or violent relationships
- Immigration challenges and cultural adjustment
- Relationship difficulties or the desire to build healthy partnerships
- General life transitions and personal growth
When do they happen?
We meet once a month in Stevenage. The sessions last approximately 2 hours, providing ample time for deep exploration and meaningful interaction.
How can group sessions help?
Shared experiences
Realising you’re not alone in your struggles can be profoundly healing.
Multiple perspectives
Gain insights from others who may be at different stages of their journey.
Social support
Build connections and a support network with others who understand your experiences.
Practical skills
Learn and practice new coping strategies in a safe, supportive environment.
Affordability
Group sessions often provide a more cost-effective option for ongoing support.
Our sessions are grounded in the Internal Family Systems (IFS) modality- (parts work), incorporating elements of Polyvagal Theory. This approach helps you understand your internal dynamics, heal from past traumas, learn to be more resilient and develop more harmonious relationships with yourself and others and is free from being labeled or discriminated!