Counselling & Psychotherapy in Brighton and Hove
Experienced counsellor working with adults. Also offers clinical supervision.
Shelley Holland
Counselling and Psychotherpy in Brighton and Hove
Online therapy via Zoom, working with adults across Brighton & Hove, and beyond.
Hello, I'm Shelley Holland. I've been working as a counsellor since 1998. I’ve worked with adults from all walks of life who are navigating some of the more difficult things that life can bring. Whether you're dealing with something specific or simply feeling that things aren't quite right and you're not sure why, therapy can help.
I offer both longer-term in-depth psychotherapy and shorter-term counselling, depending on what feels right for you.
All sessions currently take place online via Zoom.
I'm a Senior Accredited member of the BACP and the NCPS (SCoPEd Framework Column C), and I have specialist training in both attachment-based work and trauma. I also work as a clinical supervisor, run The Palmeira Practice, a counselling hub in Brighton and Hove, and Brighton Therapy Partnership, a psychotherapy education provider.
I have a particular interest and experience in working with people managing problems that are childhood or attachment-based in origin, those navigating difficult family relationships, past or present, especially daughter-mother dynamics, people experiencing loss or bereavement, and those exploring their sense of purpose or direction in life.
If you'd like to find out more about how I work, take a look at my About Me page, or feel free to get in touch directly. An introductory session is a good way to see whether we're a good fit.
You can read testimonials from people I have worked with in the past below, and read longer versions on my testimonials page.
For counsellors and therapists: I also offer clinical supervision to qualified practitioners. If you’re interested in discussing supervision, please get in touch by email or via the contact form.
Shelley provided a safe space to talk about the issues I was struggling with. She helped me to work through problems, unpack what I was feeling, and think about solutions where necessary.
Shelley was always kind, accepting, and understanding.
My friends tell me I'm brighter and happier than I've been in a long time.
Shelley supported me to go to places that held the key for me that I would never have went to without her, or even know to look at. I cannot speak highly enough of the whole process and the results which it has given me.
I would really recommend Shelley, I felt that I could really open up to her. She was able to challenge and support when needed.
I realised that it was worth spending money on my emotional well-being just as I would budget for haircuts, clothes etc.
“Thank you for your kindness and your sharp sense of humour, and for your incredible attention to detail (remembering names and stories) that made me feel very seen and heard. I'm grateful for the ways you encouraged me to find choices in every situation. I had lots of laughs and many tears in our sessions and always felt so safe to do the work with you. Thank you for eventually teaching me that I don't always need to do the work!”
“This has honestly changed my life. I know that sounds dramatic, but it’s true. You’ve helped me to understand myself and my relationships with others in a way I didn’t believe possible.”
“Shelley, thank you for your patience and understanding. My only regret is that I didn’t come to counselling sooner.”
“I’ve really learnt a lot about myself through our sessions, and now think about myself differently. I no longer feel sorry for myself. I feel strong and capable.”
“Thank you for helping me with my relationship troubles. I have felt so empowered by the experience.”
“I have benefited hugely from our sessions. I now know there was more going on for me than I realised. I’m now in a better place.”
“Thank you so much for being a fantastic counsellor. I will miss our sessions.”
I think everyone should get counselling, if only to get a deeper insight into themselves and how they communicate and manage their relationships with others. I think it would make us all better people.
I found Shelley's presence very calming and I liked her active listening and the questions she posed that helped me reflect more deeply.
“Counselling has helped me a lot and taught me a lot about myself. It’s allowed me to continue my normal life and look forward to the future again.”
Shelley helped me to step back and take a broader look beyond my own projections of events, and to understand patterns of behaviour which had become problematic. She helped me to reach a greater understanding of why I react in certain ways to certain situations, based on childhood or other factors.
“Time was not helping me to cope or understand. Counselling helped me to accept I don't need to understand I need to learn to accept and move forward. Much of what I experienced is still sinking in, with discoveries about myself that were both helpful and insightful.”
No matter how I felt or what I said in the session, Shelley was always kind, accepting, and understanding. If I struggled to find the words, she was patient and encouraging; whatever I shared, she never judged me, and she responded in a thoughtful and empathetic way. She always checked she had understood what I was saying and helped me make sense of what I was going through. I felt heard and understood by Shelley.
“I would really recommend Shelley, I felt that I could really open up to her. She was able to challenge and support when needed. She supported me to go to places that held the key for me that I would never have went to without her, or even know to look at. I cannot speak highly enough of the whole process and the results which it has given me.”
“I am in a much better place now, counselling helped me to accept and deal with my relationship issues and taught me to be kinder to myself.”
Over 18 months Shelley ‘held my hand’ as she helped me to remember, to express what I felt, to understand what had happened and to allow time to make sense of the experiences I have had. Also, to help alleviate the distress I felt with my traumatic memories, Shelley used EMDR therapy. This did help me to feel less distress.