Teresa Johnston

Choosing to begin counselling is rarely a casual decision. It often arises quietly, from a place within that recognises something is no longer sustainable, or senses that more is possible. My role is to provide a calm, thoughtful space where you can explore whatever brings you, at your own pace and in your own way. I am a qualified person-centred counsellor, mindfulness teacher, and MSc Psychology graduate, working in private practice at Sunrise Holistic. I offer counselling to adults who are seeking greater clarity, emotional stability, and a deeper understanding of themselves and their lives. Clients often come to me during periods of transition, loss, uncertainty, or quiet dissatisfaction. Others come because they wish to grow, to understand longstanding patterns, or to live with greater authenticity. My presence is grounded, attentive, and respectful. I do not see clients as problems to be fixed, but as whole human beings whose experiences, feelings, and responses make sense within the context of their lives. Counselling offers a place where you do not need to perform, explain yourself perfectly, or hold everything together. It is a place where your inner world can be explored safely and honestly. Before becoming a counsellor, I worked for many years in healthcare as a therapy radiographer, supporting patients through serious illness and uncertainty. This experience profoundly shaped my understanding of vulnerability, resilience, and the importance of compassionate presence. It taught me that healing is not simply about removing symptoms, but about being truly seen, heard, and understood. Alongside counselling, I am a trained mindfulness meditation teacher and clinical aromatherapist. My work is informed by both psychological science and contemplative practice, allowing me to support clients in developing greater awareness, emotional regulation, and self-trust. Clients often describe feeling calmer, clearer, and more grounded through our work together. Over time, counselling can help you understand yourself more deeply, relate to others more authentically, and move forward with greater confidence and inner stability. This is your space. I will meet you there with care, honesty, and respect. If you feel drawn to this work, you are welcome to make contact for an initial conversation, without obligation, and we can gently explore whether working together feels appropriate.

My professional path has been shaped by a longstanding commitment to understanding the human mind, emotional experience, and the conditions that allow people to heal and grow. I hold a Master of Science degree in Psychology and a Professional Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling. My counselling training emphasised the core conditions identified by Carl Rogers, empathy, congruence, and unconditional positive regard, which remain central to my work. These principles recognise that meaningful psychological change occurs not through instruction or advice, but through the experience of being deeply understood within a safe therapeutic relationship. I am a registered member of COSCA and a student member of the British Psychological Society. I adhere to established ethical standards and engage in ongoing supervision and professional development to ensure my work remains safe, effective, and responsive. In addition to counselling qualifications, I am a certified mindfulness meditation teacher, having completed specialist teacher training integrating evidence-based mindfulness approaches. Mindfulness supports clients in developing greater awareness of thoughts, emotions, and bodily experience, helping to reduce reactivity and increase emotional resilience. My earlier career in healthcare included many years working as a therapy radiographer in major oncology centres in both the United Kingdom and the United States. In this role, I supported patients facing serious illness, uncertainty, and loss. This work required emotional steadiness, compassion, and the ability to remain present during profoundly vulnerable moments. It continues to inform my therapeutic presence today. I have also completed professional training in clinical aromatherapy, with a particular interest in the relationship between sensory experience, emotional regulation, and psychological wellbeing. Alongside formal qualifications, I maintain a deep personal commitment to reflective practice. I continue to study psychology, contemplative traditions, and depth-oriented approaches to human experience. This ongoing learning allows me to bring both professional competence and thoughtful depth to my work. My background combines scientific understanding, clinical experience, and a deep respect for the complexity of human experience. This allows me to support clients in a way that is both psychologically informed and deeply humane.

I work with adults experiencing a wide range of emotional and psychological difficulties. Many of my clients are thoughtful, sensitive individuals who have spent much of their lives coping, adapting, and supporting others, often at the expense of their own wellbeing. My areas of special interest include anxiety, depression, grief and loss, life transitions, relationship difficulties, and issues relating to identity and meaning. I also work with clients experiencing emotional overwhelm, burnout, low self-esteem, and a persistent sense of disconnection from themselves or others. Grief is a particularly significant area within my practice. Loss can take many forms, including bereavement, relationship endings, health changes, or the loss of a hoped-for future. Grief often unfolds in complex and unpredictable ways, and counselling provides a space where this process can be experienced safely, without pressure to move on prematurely. I also work with clients who are seeking personal growth rather than relief from a specific problem. These individuals may feel drawn to understand themselves more deeply, to explore longstanding emotional patterns, or to live in greater alignment with their values. My background in healthcare has given me particular insight into the psychological impact of illness, both for individuals and their families. I understand the emotional complexity that can accompany medical diagnoses, treatment, and recovery. Mindfulness forms an important aspect of my work. Many clients benefit from learning to observe their thoughts and feelings with greater clarity and less judgement. This can reduce anxiety, increase emotional stability, and support a greater sense of inner calm. I also have a strong interest in depth-oriented and meaning-focused work, supporting clients in exploring the deeper layers of their experience. This may include examining recurring life patterns, emotional themes, or questions relating to purpose and identity. Ultimately, my specialism lies not in a particular diagnosis, but in working with the human experience itself. I support clients in understanding themselves more fully, developing greater self-trust, and creating meaningful and sustainable change.

My approach is grounded in person-centred counselling. This means I believe you are the expert on your own life. My role is not to analyse or direct you, but to accompany you, attentively and respectfully, as you explore your experience. I offer a calm, confidential space where you can speak freely, without fear of judgement. I listen carefully, not only to your words, but to the feelings and meanings beneath them. This allows deeper patterns and insights to emerge naturally over time. The therapeutic relationship itself is central to the process. Research consistently shows that feeling understood and accepted is one of the most important factors in psychological healing. I aim to offer a relationship characterised by warmth, honesty, and emotional safety. Alongside person-centred counselling, I integrate mindfulness where appropriate. Mindfulness can help you become more aware of your internal experience, allowing you to respond to difficulties with greater clarity and less reactivity. This can be particularly helpful for anxiety, emotional overwhelm, and self-criticism. I work at your pace. Some clients come with a clear focus, while others begin with a more general sense of unease or uncertainty. Both are welcome. There is no expectation to have everything defined or understood at the outset. Our work may involve exploring current difficulties, past experiences, or recurring emotional patterns. Often, clients begin to notice subtle shifts over time, greater clarity, increased emotional stability, and a stronger sense of self. I do not offer quick fixes. Meaningful change develops through careful exploration, trust, and understanding. Counselling provides a space where this process can unfold naturally. My intention is to support you in developing greater self-awareness, emotional resilience, and a more grounded relationship with yourself and your life.