Hayley Matthews

Hayley Matthews is a qualified therapeutic counsellor with 5 years of experience providing both short-term and long-term counselling within a mental health service. She has worked with clients presenting a wide range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, social anxiety, post-traumatic stress, generalised anxiety disorder, relationship problems, loss and bereavement, loneliness and isolation, life-changing events, family issues, work-related stress, addiction, and confidence and self-esteem difficulties.

Hayley uses a person-centred approach to help people explore how their life experiences have shaped their reactions and current difficulties. In sessions she will work alongside clients to make sense of what they are facing, to consider ways of addressing present and future challenges, and to process thoughts and feelings in a safe, confidential space.

She adopts a relational way of working, aiming to be genuine, warm, honest and respectful while remaining non-judgemental. Hayley draws on additional techniques from cognitive behavioural therapy and solution-focused brief therapy and may invite creative methods such as metaphor, creative writing or journaling where appropriate.

Having spent many years working in the care sector, Hayley is motivated by a desire to improve quality of life and to empower people to find practical solutions to sources of distress. Clients she has worked with have given positive feedback and reported benefits from the therapeutic relationship and the service she offers.

Hayley is a registered member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy), works with clinical supervision, and is fully insured to practise. She is qualified to provide online or telephone sessions and offers appointments that suit the client’s needs.