Samantha Goldby-Pannell

Do you find yourself constantly trying to meet everyone else’s expectations, yet feeling guilty or “selfish” when you consider your own needs? When relationships feel heavy, stress builds, or your mind won’t switch off, it can leave you feeling drained and overwhelmed.

If you’ve reached a point where you know something needs to shift but you’re unsure how to begin, I can help you understand what’s happening and support you in making the changes that lead to genuine relief and improvement.

I am a qualified and experienced Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist, supporting adults and young people with challenges such as anxiety, low self-worth, depression, neurodiversity, sexuality and relationship struggles. My work integrates a range of therapeutic models, including Transactional Analysis (TA), Person-Centred therapy, CBT, and Gestalt. I am also a qualified teacher which allows me to bring a valuable perspective when supporting young people, neurodiverse clients, and professionals dealing with stress or burnout.

Your goals and what you want to transform sit at the centre of our work together.

In our sessions, we’ll focus on what you want to shift in your life and gently explore the factors that may be holding you back. Together, we’ll develop practical tools to help you feel more grounded within yourself, in your relationships, and in your day-to-day experience. This may involve looking at the ways you relate to others, the tone of your inner dialogue, or the areas where you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure. At times, we may revisit earlier experiences not to dwell on the past, but to understand how old patterns or childhood beliefs might still be influencing your present. From there, we can reshape the stories you’ve carried and reconnect with who you are today.

Starting therapy can feel intimidating, but you won’t be doing it alone. This is a space where you can speak openly, feel supported, and be met with warmth and understanding.

Life brings challenges to all of us, especially during periods of significant change whether it’s bereavement, the end of a relationship, dissatisfaction at work, or repeating behaviours and thought patterns that no longer serve you.

Often, we don’t recognise how heavy things have become until the signs start showing: irritability, a sense of emptiness, changes in drinking or eating habits, difficulty sleeping, withdrawing from others, or losing enthusiasm for things that once felt meaningful. These patterns can make everyday life more difficult than it needs to be. With the right support, it’s possible to ease these struggles and begin to feel more like yourself again.

I am an Integrative Psychotherapist at Cherry Tree Therapy Centre in Henley-on-Thames and the Bagnall Centre, Chesham. I completed my Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy with distinction in 2010 at the University of East London. I’m also a qualified teacher with eight years’ experience in education, which gives me a distinctive insight when supporting young people, neurodiverse clients, and professionals navigating stress or burnout.

I have lived and worked overseas in USA and Australia and welcome all clients from different backgrounds, countries and religions.

adhd, autism, audhd, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, divorce, affairs, transitions, cheating compulsion, teacher/work related stress, burn out, ocd, school burn out, teen mental health

You can arrange a free, 15-minute introductory chat online or by phone. This short conversation gives you the chance to ask questions, share what has brought you to therapy, and get a sense of how I work, so you can feel confident about taking the next step.

The first full session is slightly different from subsequent sessions. We’ll complete a detailed assessment and go through the counselling agreement, creating a clear foundation for our work together. We will also establish your goals for therapy and check in on your progress regularly to make sure the sessions are supporting your needs effectively. Many clients notice positive changes starting within the first few weeks of therapy.