Welcome to Helen Holgate Psychotherapy
Counselling, Psychotherapy & Supervision for Adults in Central Ely, Cambridgeshire and Online
Counselling and therapy in a safe, comfortable and private setting
Hello, I'm Helen. Thank you for visiting my website.
I became a psychotherapist due to my fascination with the human mind and what makes people tick: individually, in groups, and societally. Psychotherapy offers a space to understand your own mind and find new ways forward when things feel difficult or stuck.
I have seven years' experience in counselling and psychotherapy and extensive experience working interculturally in the helping professions. My background is in education. I have worked with a wide variety of issues at the busy and diverse Metanoia Counselling and Psychotherapy Service in Ealing, London, Cogwheel Counselling in Cambridge, Frontline 19 as part of the pandemic response, and, most recently, for the past few years in private practice. I am happy to work short-, medium-, or long-term, depending on what you'd like to achieve from our time together.
How I Work
I am passionate about helping clients from all backgrounds to know their own mind; to navigate challenges; to make better and healthier choices; to get to the root of anxieties and worries in a safe and confidential space, and to feel supported in the process of discovery and healing.
Approach & Relationship
I offer a constructive and non-judgemental approach informed by my training in Transactional Analysis and nourished by my interest and continuing professional development in other modalities. I regard the relationship between client and therapist as the key mechanism for change, and work with you to arrive at a process suitable to your needs and responsive to your individuality.
Space & Collaboration
I offer a safe, calm, thoughtful space where we can explore what’s going on for you and what might help. My work is grounded, collaborative, and tailored to each person rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach.
Pace & Compassion
I work at a pace that feels manageable, paying close attention to what feels safe and useful for you. Therapy with me isn’t about being “analysed” or pushed – it’s about developing understanding, choice, and compassion for yourself.
What issues can counselling help with?
People come to me for help a wide range of issues. Here are a few of the more common difficulties that can be supported through counselling:
Emotional & Mental Health
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Sadness
- Panic attacks
- Stress
- Work-related stress
- Overwhelm
- Burnout
- Insomnia
- Health anxiety
- Bipolar disorder
- Obsessive compulsive disorder
- Phobias
Trauma & Abuse
- Trauma
- PTSD
- Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD)
- Dissociation
- Abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Domestic abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Sexual assault
- Narcissistic abuse
Relationships & Attachment
- Relationship issues
- Attachment issues
- Abandonment issues
- Co-dependency
- Dependency issues
- Avoidance issues
- Passive-aggression
- Affairs and betrayals
- Jealousy
- Separation anxiety
- Separation and divorce
Identity, Self-Worth & Personal Development
- Identity
- Self-esteem
- Low self-confidence
- Perfectionism
- Body image / obesity
- Money
Life Transitions & Loss
- Grief
- Loss
- Bereavement
- Loneliness
- Redundancy
- Ageing
- Dementia
- Alzheimer’s
Neurodiversity & Behavioural Patterns
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Hoarding
- Internet addiction
Culture, Identity & Social Experience
- Race and racial identity
- Racism
- Discrimination
- Bullying
- Lesbian, gay & bisexual issues
Family, Parenthood & Reproductive Health
Supervision
I offer supervision to counsellors and psychotherapists working in Transactional Analysis. I am a PTSTA, and therefore qualified to supervise CTAs and those working towards qualification in Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy. I work relationally and aim to facilitate safe and ethical practice where we as counsellors and psychotherapists are able to claim the whole of our minds, working with the unconscious processes of the relationships involved: supervisor and therapist; therapist and client.
I take a warm, curious, and non-judgemental approach to consider what is energised in the work. I aim to attend to our growing edges as professionals, and the formative, normative, and supportive functions of supervision.
Therapy Sessions & Fees
Sessions are 50 minutes long and cost £61. I offer a free initial 20-minute consultation. The first full session is an assessment of how I might best help you, and how we might best work together. This is usually followed by some exploratory sessions as we refine our path forward together.
I operate a 48-hour cancellation policy; any missed sessions within this timeframe will incur the full fee. I accept payment online via bank transfer at the end of each month or after each session.
Enquiries are welcome – please email me to find out more and to see if we are a good fit.
My location
Sessions take place on a weekly basis in a comfortable and private garden office space. This is in a central location near Ely High Street, close to the cathedral.
In addition to face-to-face sessions, I also offer online therapy via Zoom. Please feel free to get in touch if you would like to discuss whether online sessions might be suitable for you.
Professional Standards
I hold a DBS Certificate and I have full professional liability insurance.
Get in touch
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how counselling or psychotherapy works, or to arrange an initial assessment appointment. This enables us to discuss the reasons you are thinking of coming to counselling or psychotherapy, whether it could be helpful for you and whether I am the right therapist to help.
You can also call me on +44 07548098226 if you would prefer to leave a message or speak to me first. I am happy to discuss any queries or questions you may have prior to arranging an initial appointment.
All enquiries are usually answered within 24 hours, and all contact is strictly confidential and uses secure phone and email services.