Counselling & psychotherapy in Shoreham-by-Sea, Hove and online.
Compassionate, person-centred counselling with Isla O'Dwyer
Counselling & psychotherapy in Shoreham-by-Sea, Hove and online.
About Care & Connect
.png/:/cr=t:0%25,l:0%25,w:100%25,h:100%25/rs=w:1209,cg:true)
About Care and Connect Counselling
Life can feel overwhelming at times, and you don't have to navigate it alone.
🌿 Welcome, I’m Isla
a qualified and insured psychotherapeutic counsellor and the founder of Care & Connect Counselling in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex. I offer a calm, confidential and welcoming space where you can talk openly, feel heard and explore what you're experiencing without judgement.
I provide face-to-face counselling in Shoreham-by-Sea and Hove, as well as online counselling and telephone sessions.
Whether you're experiencing anxiety, low mood, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, grief, a significant life change or struggling to make sense of difficult experiences, counselling can give you the space to explore what's happening and consider what you need.
Book a free consultation to talk about what you're looking for and whether counselling with me feels like the right fit for you.
How I can support you:
You may be considering counselling because something in your life feels difficult, overwhelming or simply no longer feels manageable in the way it once did.
I offer counselling for a range of experiences, including:
- Anxiety and feeling overwhelmed
- Low mood and depression
- Low self-esteem and confidence
- Relationship difficulties
- Grief and loss
- Anger and emotional regulation
- Life transitions and changes
- Identity and sense of self
- Difficult or past experiences
- Adverse childhood experiences
- Feeling different or like the "black sheep"
You don't need to have everything figured out before starting counselling. You can simply come as you are, and we can work together to understand what you need.
My Approach to Counselling
🌱 My Approach
My work is grounded in human connection, compassion, and respect for your individual experience. I believe that you are the expert on your own life and that a trusting therapeutic relationship is central to meaningful change.
Rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach, I use a blend of therapeutic approaches and tailor our work to suit you. This means:
- You set the pace
- You choose what to share
- We focus on what feels important to you
- We work collaboratively towards the changes you would like to make.
My aim is to provide a warm, empathic and non-judgemental space where you can develop greater self-awareness, build on your strengths and explore new ways of navigating life's challenges.
I see you as a whole person, not a problem to be fixed.
Trauma-Informed Counselling
🧠 Trauma-Informed Practice
I work in a trauma-informed way, which means I am mindful of how past experiences can shape the way we feel, think, and relate to others.
This approach focuses on creating a sense of safety, choice, and collaboration within therapy. We won’t rush into anything before you feel ready.
Where helpful, I may also offer gentle tools to support grounding and emotional regulation, as well as simple explanations of how trauma can affect the mind and body, helping things feel more understandable and manageable.
🏳️🌈 An Inclusive Space
I provide an inclusive and affirming space for people of all gender identities, gender expressions, sexual orientations, and cultural backgrounds, as well as neurodivergent individuals, where you are welcome as you are.
🌟 Moving Forward
Together, we can gently explore your experiences, build insight and self-awareness, and support meaningful change at your own pace.
This is your space to reconnect with yourself and move towards a more fulfilling way of living.
Counselling Locations
Counselling in Shoreham-by-Sea
I offer face-to-face counselling in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, from a peaceful private garden office.
The space provides a calm and confidential environment away from the distractions of everyday life, where we can focus on what you need from counselling.
If you are looking for a counsellor in Shoreham-by-Sea or would like to find out more about counselling in the local area, you're welcome to get in touch for a free consultation.
Counselling in Hove
I also offer face-to-face counselling in Hove from a private therapy room at New Road Psychotherapy on Church Road.
If Hove is more convenient for you, we can discuss your needs and whether face-to-face counselling there would be a good fit.
Online and Telephone Counselling
Online and Telephone Counselling
If you prefer to have counselling from the comfort and privacy of your own home, I also offer online counselling.
Online therapy can provide a flexible alternative to face-to-face sessions and may be particularly helpful if travelling to an appointment isn't convenient.
We can discuss whether online counselling is suitable for you during your free consultation.
Counselling Fees & Sessions
Counselling Fees
Sessions are 50 minutes and my usual fee is £50 per session.
I also offer concessionary rates where the standard fee isn't affordable.
I understand that everyone's circumstances are different, so please get in touch if you'd like to discuss your options.
Flexible counselling session options
I offer different ways of working depending on your circumstances and what you would like from counselling.
This can include:
- Short-term counselling
- Longer-term, open-ended counselling
- Term-time counselling where appropriate
- Weekly or bi-weekly sessions