Welcome to As Light As A Feather Counselling — An Introduction From Me, Nicole
For as long as I can remember, I’ve known I wanted to work with people. I spent years in customer-facing roles, always trying to help others — listening, connecting, being present. I was doing good work, but I sensed my path was calling me in a different direction.
In 2012, I decided to follow that calling. I signed up for an adult evening course, searching for something more meaningful — something that truly resonated with who I am. That’s where my journey into counselling began.
While studying part-time alongside full-time work, something clicked. I immediately felt at home — like I’d found the place where I could genuinely support others in a way that felt real, grounded, and purposeful.
Like many journeys, mine hasn’t been without challenges. During my training, I lost my mum and a grandparent in close succession and went through a breakup. These life events deeply changed how I understand grief, love, healing, and resilience. Looking back, they shaped the kind of counsellor I am today: present, human, and deeply empathetic.
I graduated with my counselling diploma — a milestone made even more special because my mum got to see me graduate with my peers before she sadly passed away.
Along the way, I volunteered with two wonderful organisations, including The Kirkwood — a place that still holds a very special place in my heart. I learned so much in those rooms: about pain, strength, humour, and how incredibly brave people can be, even in their darkest moments.
And now, I’m here — running my own private practice: As Light As A Feather Counselling. I continue to volunteer with amazing organisations that support people facing mental health challenges, and I’m incredibly grateful to do this work.
A Little About My Counselling Approach
When I first started looking at counselling courses, I wasn’t entirely sure what Person-Centred Counselling meant. I signed up for a taster session, and my first thought was, “What can talking to a stranger do that I don’t already get from my friends?”
But wow — I was wrong. Seeing it in action and experiencing it for myself changed everything.
At the heart of person-centred counselling is the belief that you are the expert on your own life. My role is to walk alongside you — not to advise, fix, or direct, but to hold a space where you feel safe enough to explore whatever you need to, at your own pace.
The Actualising Tendency
This approach is grounded in the belief that every person has what Carl Rogers called an actualising tendency — a natural drive toward growth, healing, and self-understanding. Sometimes, life’s challenges, grief, or external expectations can block that process. But with the right support, we can reconnect with our inner strength, insight, and capacity to heal.
Core Conditions
The foundation of this work lies in what we call the core conditions:
Empathy — being deeply heard and understood
Congruence — me being real and honest, not wearing a ‘therapist mask’
Unconditional Positive Regard — being accepted exactly as you are, without judgement
These aren't just buzzwords. They’re the building blocks of a therapeutic relationship where real change can happen.
I work creatively when it suits the client and, where appropriate, bring in humour — because sometimes laughter can be healing too.
Why This Blog?
My hope is that this space — my website and these blog posts — offers something meaningful: thoughtful reflections, reassurance, and perhaps a sense of feeling seen or understood.
These blogs are also an invitation — an open door, if you like — to explore what counselling might look like, if and when you’re ready. You’ll find posts here on real-life emotional themes such as grief, identity, and anxiety — including those difficult-to-name, in-between moments that many of us carry quietly.
Grief and bereavement are the core areas I specialise in, both personally and professionally. Alongside this, I have a keen interest in anxiety and health anxiety, and I regularly undertake continued professional development (CPD) in this area. You may find posts that explore how anxiety can show up in daily life, and ways to begin gently working with it in counselling.
If you feel ready to take the next step or would like to explore whether counselling might be supportive for you, you’re always welcome to get in touch. You can book a session by using the phone number at the top of my website or by visiting the Contact Me section at the bottom of the page.
Take care, and be kind to yourself.
Nicole x