Helen Arnold Counselling
Counselling and Psychotherapy in Derbyshire and Online
Counselling and Psychotherapy in Derbyshire and Online
Empowering Minds, Healing Hearts
Your mental health and well-being are too important to overlook.
Whatever has led you to seek counselling, you don’t have to face it alone. I’m here to help you navigate challenging times and difficult feelings in a down-to-earth, non-judgmental, and nurturing therapeutic relationship and calming environment. Counselling sessions provide a safe space where you can express yourself and truly be heard, and research shows that talking to a counsellor releases “happy hormones”, strengthening the neural pathways that support personal growth, self-awareness, and emotional well-being. Looking for a counsellor is a sign that you have the desire and potential to heal, adjust and make positive changes in yourself, your relationships and your life. I'm here to help nurture and strengthen those qualities.
About Me
I'm Helen Arnold, an experienced and qualified counsellor and psychotherapist based in Derbyshire. I offer both in-person and online therapy working with individuals and couples to help them explore and address issues, whether past, present or future, that are affecting their well-being.
I am an accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and have a BSc (Hons) in Counselling and Psychotherapy. Having lived a broad life and with many years experience as an assessor and counsellor at Nottingham Counselling Service, CASY (Newark) and in private practice I can offer support to all ages and for a variety of issues. Nothing is too big or too small. If it feels significant, if it's having a negative effect on you, I'm here to help.
I'm based in Derbyshire, with two locations: a countryside office near the Peak District National Park and a central location in Matlock. I also offer online therapy sessions, so you can access support from the comfort of your own home.
Therapy for Individuals
I provide one-to-one counselling to support you through a range of difficulties. Whether you are struggling with the pressures of work or study, anxiety, depression, bereavement, relationships or self-esteem, I can help you work through your challenges at a pace that feels right for you.
Therapy for Children & Young People
I offer one-to-one counselling to help children and young people in a way that feels comfortable and safe for them. Whether they are dealing with worries about school or friends, or anything else we can talk about it at a pace that suits them.Together we'll find ways to feel better and face the future.
Therapy for Couples
Counselling can help couples who are experiencing relationship problems. I can support you to improve communication, resolve conflict, and build a deeper understanding of each other’s needs.
Counsellor Training
As a therapist who has both experienced thorough training and worked with many trainee counsellors, I understand the demands and challenges of the training process. I offer tailored support to help you through your training. Whether it’s managing your placements, supervision or self-care, or providing space for exploring and reflecting on your process, I'm here to help.
Experienced Support For:
People Working in the Creative Industries
The Impact of Addiction
Relationship Breakdown
Anxiety
Depression
Trainee Counsellors
Bereavement
Complex Family Dynamics such as Blended Families
Trauma
Difficult or Damaging Childhood Experiences
Counselling Approach
I'm here to listen and to energise your natural ability to work things out. I believe in the value of the therapeutic relationship as a warm, empathic, and non-judgmental environment for growth to flourish. My goal is to empower you to make positive changes in your life, whether that’s understanding yourself better, resolving issues from the past, or improving your mental health.
Free Initial Consultation
I offer a free, no pressure, half-hour consultation where we can discuss what you need from therapy, you can tell me a bit about whatever it is that brings you to counselling and you can ask questions if you want to. It's a great way to get a sense of what counselling is like and how it might be to work together so you can make an informed decision. You can book your free consultation by contacting me directly or click the button below to book online.
My Location
I am based in Derbyshire and offer both in-person and online therapy sessions to meet your needs.
In-Person Counselling
For those seeking in-person sessions, I have two comfortable and accessible locations:
- Oker Office – Overlooking the beautiful Peak District National Park, this tranquil, rural, setting provides a peaceful environment for counselling.
- Matlock Office – My central location in Matlock offers a convenient option for clients seeking a more urban setting.
Online Counselling
If you prefer the convenience of accessing support from your own space, I offer secure, online therapy sessions via Zoom. This allows you to receive therapy wherever you are, whether you’re in Derbyshire or further afield.
Fees & Availability
Session Fees
- Individual Counselling: £50 per 50-minute session
- Couples Counselling: £60 per 50-minute session
Availability
I offer flexible availability to accommodate a range of schedules, with sessions offered both during the day and in the evening.
Payment
For in-person sessions, payment is due at the start of each session. For online sessions, payment is required prior to each session. Payment can be made via bank transfer or cash.
Cancellations
If you need to cancel a session, please provide at least 24 hours’ notice to avoid being charged the full session fee.
Get in touch
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how counselling works, or to arrange an initial appointment. This enables us to discuss the reasons you are thinking of coming to counselling, whether it could be helpful for you and whether I am the right therapist to help.
You can call or text me on +44 7599 624541, fill in the contact form or book a free consultation online.
I usually respond to enquiries by the end of the next working day and all contact is strictly confidential and uses secure phone and email services. Find out more by reading my Privacy Policy.
Some frequently asked questions
I see most of my in-person clients, and all of my on-line and phone clients, at my office in Oker. I can also work from the Matlock Therapy Centre.
You may find meeting in person and having counselling away from distractions or the fear of friends or family overhearing is preferable. It can feel good to use this safe space for the work we do and leave it behind when you leave the office. My Oker office is in a peaceful rural setting with breathtaking views over the Peak District National Park, while the Matlock Therapy Centre is conveniently located in central Matlock and offers a calm, comfortable place for your counselling sessions.
If you struggle to get out or live too far away, on-line and telephone counselling have proved to be very effective and of course you may find that a blend of in person and online fits better into your busy lifestyle. We can discuss and revise your options at any time during therapy.
Counselling costs £50 per session for individuals or £60 per couple. Face to face clients can pay by cash, cheque or BACS at the start of each session. On-line and phone clients usually pay by BACS before their session. Prices will increase annually.
50 minutes.
Yes. 24 hours notice of cancellation is required or the full fee for the missed session will be charged.
Talk to me! Life is full of endings big and small, many relationships and experiences end badly with bad feelings, arguments, unspoken feelings, or just drift, leaving you with unfinished business. I’m big enough to discuss ending without pressuring you or acting up so lets explore your feelings and work towards a healthy, empowering ending together. For that reason I will always offer you an ending session but never insist. An ending session could be an opportunity to celebrate the changes you’ve made, to remember the highs and lows and to think about what might trip you up so you can spot early warning signs and take action. Working towards an ending, perhaps with a planned tapering-off of sessions is even better. Once we have ended I respectfully and confidentially dispose of all data relating to you. If you want a break from counselling we can arrange that together. I won’t pressure you in any direction. I’ll continue to store your data safely during that time.
By being a member of the BACP I’m demonstrating my commitment to my work, my clients and my profession. I joined when I was a trainee, first as a student member, then a registered member when I graduated (MBACP), and now MBACP (Accred). The BACP says ‘BACP accreditation schemes aim to recognise the achievement of high standards of knowledge, experience and development in counselling and psychotherapy.’
Counselling is a lot about talking and listening. It’s talking and listening with someone who is completely focussed on you and your well-being, who can hold the good, the bad and the ugly. As a counsellor, I work relationally and don’t advise, coach or give you standard exercises to do. There are enough podcasts, soundbites and inspirational sayings out there. Some of them are brilliant but none of them can get to know and care about you as a unique person.
Hearing yourself say things out loud that you may hesitate to air elsewhere, and knowing that you are being heard, forms new neural pathways and helps you untangle the emotional knots that are holding you back from fully living your life. I’m trained and experienced in holding and guiding that process.
If it feels helpful, we might use paper and pens, pencils or charcoal to organise what’s happened or how you’re feeling. I’ve even arranged burning of harmful and hurtful experiences once they’ve been discovered in distant memories, and recorded on paper in sessions. I also have playdough and fidget toys if they’re soothing. Or we can just talk, there’s no pressure to take part in activities.
My aim is to support you whilst you work out what to do.
Together, we can determine the right pace and direction for your therapy, ensuring that it is tailored to you and your goals.
I adhere to the BACP Code of Ethics, which prioritizes the well-being and individual needs of each client. Just as every person who seeks counselling is unique, so too is the relationship we build and the duration of our work together.
With experience in short, medium, and long-term engagements, I can offer flexibility to suit your specific needs. After our free consultation, I typically recommend we commit to 4-6 sessions. This initial period allows us both to explore our working relationship and assess how effectively we collaborate.
Clients often feel immediate relief from getting things off their chests but I always point out that can, at times, feel worse before it gets better because you’ll be exploring your story and situation and all of the accompanying feelings. I liken it to cleaning a wound safely and with care – it might hurt at times, and it’s ok to tell me that so we can decide how to proceed. Also, I’ll be keeping an eye on how you are managing and work accordingly. Sometimes there will be lightbulb moments or others when you plateau or feel stuck. Bring those feelings to your session so we can explore them together.
Great question! No I’m not perfect, I’m utterly human. I’m a human who, like everyone else, has lived through a full spectrum of experiences. I’ve had plenty of therapy, all therapists should, and when I chose to become a counsellor I undertook a gruelling training and have remained committed to developing my professional skills and self care so I have the capacity to hold the work you and I do together. Wounded healer? Isn’t everyone a little bit scarred? But it doesn’t have to stop us living full and joyful lives.
If you are a regular client I may be able to confirm that you have been attending therapy, giving dates and confirming, with your permission, an outline of why you first attended therapy. I keep minimal notes. I don’t give expert opinions or offer diagnoses or prognoses.