francesca-wp | Counselling in Cambridge

New normality

After more than two years of pandemic, going through difficult and uncertain times, we might struggle with our mental well-being or other issues. We have faced many challenges and now we have to deal with a "new normality", but what is it? What does it mean for you and for the people around you? For your career, your future.

If you like to work on yourself, be more self aware and confident, please do not hesitate, contact me and we could work together towards fulfil your potential and your goals in life.

I am offering 60-minute webcam sessions or 45-minute telephone counselling sessions for individuals or couples. I use different platforms, easy to access from a laptop, a tablet or a mobile. Feel free to contact me for an assessment or more information.

Open University course completed April 2020

Low mood and depression counselling

Depression is a real illness that can be diagnosed by a GP. It comes with real symptoms, both mental and physical. It's not a sign of weakness or something you can get over just "pulling yourself together".

When you're are depressed, you feel persistently sad for weeks or months, no matter what is going on around you. The feelings that accompany depression could be unhappiness, hopelessness, numbness, losing interest in things and being tearful.

Counselling can help you understand where depression comes from and give you the chance to change your outlook. Gradually, you'll start to look at the future again in a brighter way and appreciate the good things in life.

Relationship counselling

Whether you're encountering difficulties in a new or long-term relationship, trying to get over a failed relationship or looking for a new one, counselling can help.

All relationships have their ups and downs, and require constant adjustment of plans and expectations as partners deal with each other, and with life's obstacles and challenges. A relationship counsellor can be a vital support, improving communication, increasing trust and minimising the difficulties of emotionally charged situations - from affairs to divorce, from sex to separation.

Relationship counselling can help you understand what you're looking for from a relationship, examine and learn from experiences in the past, and look to the future new-found confidence and increased self-awareness.

PTSD counselling

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental health condition triggered by frightening or distressing events, either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms could be sleeping problems, uncontrollable thoughts about the event, nightmares or flashbacks, feeling of isolation, irritability, guilt, severe anxiety, numbness and lack of involvement with reality. They can vary overtime or vary from person to person.

Most people who go through traumatic events may have temporary difficulty adjusting and coping, but with time and good self-care they usually get better. If the symptoms get worse and interfere with your day-to-day functioning, you may have PTSD.

Counselling can help analyse the event from different points of view, find coping strategies and deconstruct the experience to help overcome the trauma.

Bereavement counselling

Bereavement is the period we spend adjusting to loss. It's a time of confused and mixed feelings - denial, despair, guilt, sadness, bargaining and anger - all at once.

There's no fixed time for bereavement, no right or wrong way to feel. We all have to find our own way to cope with it. Sometimes it can be very difficult to adjust to the loss of somebody important, as it touches so many areas of your life, your beliefs, and your very way of being.

Bereavement counselling can provide invaluable support during this difficult time: helping you make the necessary adjustments, find acceptance and move forward in life.

Stress and anxiety counselling

Stress is a perfectly normal reaction that affects everybody from time to time. When you're under pressure or feel overloaded, your ability to cope is often diminished.

The root cause could be external factors such as life experiences, traumas or the incessant demands of a busy schedule. Or it could be internal factors such as thoughts that swirl around in your head: low self-esteem, worry, uncertainty or unduly high expectations of yourself.

Anxiety is more persistent than stress, and the causes are often more difficult to identify. It can lead people to imagine the worst and even think they're losing their sanity because of some psychological condition.

Counselling can help remove the negative effects of stress and anxiety, and identify the root causes. You'll learn how to cope, and to make the necessary changes to move on.

Meet Francesca

I'm Francesca Amor, a fully accredited psychotherapeutic counsellor for individuals and couples and supervisor based in Cambridge. I work with people from all walks of life, regardless of sexuality, sexual orientation, gender, culture, race, age or religion.

I'm non-judgemental, empathetic and approachable (but don't take my word for it - see the testimonials below). My 'integrative' approach means I'm trained in all major therapies and blend them to best suit your individual needs.

I have additional training in couples counselling and worked at Relate for a few years. I am a counsellor and trustee at Evolve counselling, the community counselling charity, a volunteer bereavement counsellor and supervisor with Cruse and am trained in sexual abuse in childhood. I have experience working with depression, low moods, stress and anxiety, self-motivation, trauma and more.

To get started, contact me today to book an initial assessment. Lasting an hour, it's an informal, confidential session that'll help us understand how we can work together.

Get in touch

testimonials

Massive positive differences to my life

I found the counselling I had with Francesca invaluable and so worthwhile. The counselling has helped me to look at things clearer and in different light. Francesca has equipped me with the tools to manage my anxiety.

Thank you so much for helping me to make massive positive differences to my life.

- Mrs E

The light in my storm

Words cannot express how important our sessions were to me.

You gave me the courage and strength to carry on and I will be forever grateful to you. Keep doing what you do. You were the light in my storm.

- Ms K

I am finding myself

As I told Francesca, my favourite word for her is phenomenal.

I found talking to her very easy and I think I am finding me, thank you.

- Mr C

I can’t thank you enough

It is so nice to look back and think that it was just a small part of my life and is not my life any more. I can't thank you enough for all of your help, support and just for listening to my (what seem now) ridiculous fears and odd dreams.

I am able to move on and already started to plan and work for my new future.

- Miss B

Counselling in Cambridge