ABOUT ME
ABOUT MY COUNSELLING APPROACH
Hello I'm Petra, you're very welcome here.
Many of us experience times when life feels hard — whether it’s something we’ve been struggling with for a long time, or a present problem causing us pain or holding us back from living the life we want.
At the heart of my work is building a trusting therapeutic relationship where you feel safe to share your story and explore what’s troubling you. I offer a warm, confidential and non-judgemental space where together we can become curious about your experiences and how you've learned to respond to things — and how these have come to make sense in the context of your life and relationships.
Together, we can pay attention to what happens in the present moment — including thoughts, feelings and what’s happening in your body, as well as any blanks, or places you’re unsure. We can take time to think about what you need, what matters to you and what you want, without needing to have all the answers. It is often through this process of being listened to and listening to ourselves deeply that new perspectives and possibilities for change can emerge.
I'm a humanistic integrative counsellor, drawing from Relational Person-Centred, Psychodynamic and Felt Sense approaches. I’ll be interested to hear what’s brought you to counselling and what you hope might be different. We’ll work collaboratively, with the direction of the work shaped by what feels important to you, and at your pace.
My practice is grounded in the neurodiversity paradigm, recognising that differences in how we experience, communicate and respond to the world are not necessarily problems to be fixed but part of the diversity of human experiences. We can consider your own ways of experiencing the world and the environments, expectations and relationships you’ve had to navigate, including the ways these may have shaped how you see yourself.
Change can be unexpected, it’s not always about getting rid difficult thoughts or feelings, sometimes change comes from having the space to understand them differently, to recognise what they might be telling us, and to develop a kinder and more compassionate relationship with ourselves.
EXPERIENCE
I'm passionate about working with people experiencing a range of issues, including anxiety, depression, low mood and self-worth, relationship difficulties, trauma, addiction, and experiences of neurodivergence such as ADHD and Autism. I also specialise in supporting parents and carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and have lived experience of the stress, trauma and distress that can come from navigating a system not set up for you or your child's needs.
Alongside my private practice, I work for a charity providing therapeutic support for people facing complex challenges, particularly those living with active addictions or in recovery, often where underlying trauma plays a central role.
I bring a compassionate, trauma-informed approach to my work, supporting clients to explore their experiences safely and at their own pace.
I have lived experience of being neurodivergent and being part of a neurodivergent family and I'm passionate about creating a space where your communication style, sensory needs & way of processing are respected & understood, and it's safe to be, and to discover your true self.
GET IN TOUCH
Starting something new can feel daunting and it's important to find the right person for you. If you're curious, drop me an email so we can arrange a free 30 minute phone call where I can really hear what’s going on for you currently & you can ask any questions you may have . I’ll be interested to hear why you’re considering therapy & what you hope might be different.
LOCATIONS
The Practice Rooms, Bristol BS2 & BS6
Online