about me - from client to counsellor
Emmanuelle Hicks MNCPS (Acc.)
My first experience of counselling came after I suffered a traumatic birth, which led to PTSD, anxiety, post-natal depression and OCD. I had been struggling with the transition to motherhood and wasn't sure where to turn.
I eventually reached out to a counsellor and, although I was extremely nervous, I found that I finally had someone I could talk to who wouldn't judge me for all the thoughts in my head. I realised I could use this space to work through my trauma and my troubles, and I was able to heal and recover with the support of someone I grew to trust. I truly believe counselling saved me.
When I felt more like myself again, I started to research mental health support for parents and sadly found there wasn't much in my local area. So, I decided to train as a counsellor, in the hope that one day I would be able to provide the same care and compassion that I had been offered in my darkest times.
My training years were the most valuable and challenging of my life. I learned a great deal about myself, my clients, and people in general. I reassessed some aspects of my life, rediscovered parts of myself I hadn't realised I'd lost, and by the time I qualified I had learned to fully embraced myself and all that makes me unique. It was not an easy ride but it created a solid foundation from which I could continue to build myself as both a counsellor and a human being.
I maintain a keen interest in maternal mental health, and supporting new parents remains a key motivation and focus for my private practice. I also really enjoy working with teenagers. Alongside my private practice, I have experience working as a counsellor in local Secondary schools and for a charity which provides affordable counselling for young people. I believe that the transition to adulthood and the transition to parenthood are two of the most challenging times in life.
I value every hour a client chooses to spend with me, and I never underestimate the courage it takes to come to counselling in the first place. I will never forget how difficult it was for me to walk into that first session all those years ago.
Outside the counselling environment, I am a bookworm who loves long walks by the river, or up a big hill through the woods. I also run a local musical youth theatre group and am currently studying for my MSc in Psychology.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about me. I look forward to learning more about you.
