Tamara Bathgate

Hello, I'm a qualified and experienced Counsellor based in Guildford, working with adults in person and online. Taking the first step to finding the right support can be daunting. Whatever you're dealing with, be it anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, relationship issues, bereavement, or simply feeling stuck, you don't have to face life's challenges alone. My passion is supporting people to navigate difficult times, understand themselves more deeply, and find meaningful ways to move forward. I have a caring and non-judgemental approach and aim to create a safe space where you can explore your thoughts, feelings and experiences at your own pace. I believe that even the hardest journeys can lead to new perspectives and a better understanding of yourself, and I'd love to provide the support to help you along the way.

As a qualified and registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), I adhere to their professional standards and code of ethics. I hold an accredited qualification in Psychotherapeutic Counselling. Beyond my private practice, I dedicate time to voluntary counselling work and have volunteered for Samaritans and other local mental health charities. This reflects my commitment to accessible support for everyone. Prior to becoming a counsellor, I spent over 20 years working in the charity sector for major national children's and cancer care organisations.

I have experience in working with a wide range of issues such as anxiety, depression, loneliness, relationship and family issues, low self-esteem, low confidence, stress, feeling sad, grief and loss, anger, suicidal thoughts, trauma and abuse.

I practice therapeutic counselling. which focuses on exploring how your past experiences, such as those from childhood or your more recent past, might be shaping the way you think, feel, and relate to others today. This approach might be right for you if you're curious about understanding yourself on a deeper level. Together, we'll look at patterns in your life—like relationships that don't feel quite right, recurring struggles, or emotions that seem hard to shake. My aim is to help you uncover the roots of these issues, so you can approach them with new insight and find ways to move forward. You don't need to know exactly what's troubling you or have a clear "goal" for counselling. Sometimes, the best place to start is simply feeling stuck or knowing something doesn't feel right. My role is to listen, reflect, and gently enable you to find the answers that feel authentic to you. If you're wondering whether this approach suits your needs, I'd love to have a chat to answer your questions and help you decide if I'm the right person to support you.