Individual Counselling & Psychotherapy in Hampstead & Barnet, North London

A safe space to explore, understand and move forward

Hello and welcome. I'm Noreen Mullally MBACP, a BACP-registered counsellor and psychotherapist offering individual counselling to adults in Hampstead NW3, High Barnet EN5 and online.

Life can sometimes feel overwhelming. You may be struggling with anxiety, difficult family relationships, unresolved experiences from the past, questions around your identity or sexuality, or simply feeling that something in your life isn't quite right.

At times, we can find ourselves repeating familiar patterns, putting others' needs before our own or feeling disconnected from who we really are.

You don't have to face these difficulties alone.

I offer a warm, compassionate and confidential space where you can talk openly, without judgement or pressure, and begin making sense of your thoughts, feelings and experiences.

How Individual Counselling Can Help

People seek counselling for many different reasons. Sometimes there is a particular event or difficulty that brings someone to therapy. At other times, there may be a longstanding feeling of unhappiness, uncertainty or emotional exhaustion.

You may recognise some of the following:

• Anxiety, excessive worrying and overthinking

• Low self-esteem, self-doubt and lack of confidence

• Depression, low mood and emotional exhaustion

• Trauma and difficult experiences from the past

• Family conflict, strained relationships and difficult boundaries

• Sexuality, sexual identity and questions around belonging

• Relationship breakdown, separation or divorce

• Childhood experiences affecting adult relationships

• People-pleasing, guilt and difficulty saying no

• Grief, bereavement and loss

• Anger, frustration and difficulty managing emotions

• Major life transitions, including ageing, menopause, retirement or changes in family circumstances

• Feelings of loneliness, rejection or not being good enough

Whatever brings you to counselling, our work together will focus on what matters most to you.

Anxiety, Worry & Overthinking

Anxiety can affect many areas of life, from relationships and work to sleep, confidence and everyday decisions.

You may find yourself constantly worrying about what might happen, replaying conversations, anticipating the worst or feeling responsible for things outside your control.

For some people, anxiety presents physically through tension, restlessness, a racing heart or difficulty relaxing.

In our sessions, we can explore what may be contributing to your anxiety, recognise unhelpful thought patterns and develop ways of responding to difficult feelings.

Where appropriate, I integrate Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques and mindfulness alongside my person-centred approach.

Our aim is not simply to manage anxious feelings but to develop a greater understanding of yourself and what may be happening beneath them.

Trauma & Difficult Past Experiences

Trauma doesn't always arise from one significant event. It can also develop through repeated experiences of feeling unsafe, rejected, criticised, neglected or emotionally unsupported.

Sometimes experiences from childhood, past relationships or significant life events continue to influence how we feel about ourselves and relate to others.

You may notice difficulties with trust, heightened anxiety, emotional withdrawal, low self-worth or strong reactions to situations that remind you of the past.

I offer a sensitive, trauma-informed approach, recognising the importance of emotional safety, trust and working at a pace that feels manageable.

You will never be expected to share more than you feel ready to explore.

Together, we can begin understanding how past experiences may be affecting your present life and consider ways of developing greater emotional security and self-compassion.

Sexuality, Identity & Self-Acceptance

Our sexuality and sense of identity are deeply personal aspects of who we are.

For some people, exploring their sexuality or identity can bring uncertainty, anxiety, shame or concerns about how they may be perceived or accepted by others.

You may be questioning your sexual orientation, exploring aspects of your identity, experiencing difficulties around intimacy or navigating expectations from family, partners or society.

I provide an accepting, inclusive and non-judgemental space where you can explore these feelings openly.

My role is not to define who you are or influence the direction of your personal journey.

Instead, I aim to support you in developing a deeper understanding of yourself, your relationships, your values and what feels authentic to you.

We can also explore experiences of rejection, discrimination, family expectations or difficulties with self-acceptance where these are relevant.

Family Relationships, Conflict & Boundaries

Family relationships can be some of the most meaningful connections in our lives, but they can also be a source of considerable emotional pain.

Difficulties with parents, adult children, siblings or extended family members can leave us feeling hurt, guilty, angry, rejected or caught between competing loyalties.

You may find yourself:

• Feeling responsible for everyone else's happiness

• Struggling to establish healthy boundaries

• Experiencing conflict with parents, siblings or adult children

• Feeling unheard, criticised or emotionally dismissed

• Managing complicated family expectations

• Repeating patterns established during childhood

• Struggling with guilt when prioritising your own needs

• Navigating family estrangement or a breakdown in relationships

Counselling can help you explore your role within the family, understand longstanding patterns and consider how you might respond differently.

Sometimes this involves improving communication and rebuilding relationships. At other times, it may mean accepting what cannot be changed and learning how to protect your own emotional wellbeing.

Setting boundaries does not necessarily mean rejecting the people we love. It can mean learning to respect our own needs alongside theirs.

Self-Esteem, Confidence & People-Pleasing

Do you frequently question yourself, worry about disappointing others or find it difficult to say no?

Low self-esteem can develop gradually through childhood experiences, relationships, criticism or significant life events.

You may appear confident to others while privately experiencing self-doubt, perfectionism or a persistent feeling that you are not good enough.

In therapy, we can explore where these beliefs may have originated and how they continue to influence your choices and relationships.

Together, we can work towards developing greater self-acceptance, confidence and the ability to recognise and express your own needs.

Relationships, Separation & Life Changes

Relationships don't always end in the way we imagined, and even positive life changes can bring unexpected emotions.

Separation, divorce, becoming a parent, children leaving home, retirement, bereavement or changes in health can all affect our sense of identity and emotional wellbeing.

Individual counselling provides space to explore these transitions, process difficult emotions and consider what the next chapter of your life might look like.

My Therapeutic Approach

I believe that feeling genuinely heard, understood and accepted can be an important part of meaningful therapeutic change.

My work is grounded in Person-Centred Therapy, which places you, your experiences and your individual needs at the heart of our sessions.

I also draw upon other therapeutic approaches, including CBT, mindfulness, psychoeducation and elements of relational therapy, depending on what may be most helpful.

I work collaboratively, recognising that no two people are the same and that therapy should reflect your individual circumstances, experiences and goals.

Our sessions offer an opportunity not only to explore what is troubling you but also to develop greater awareness of your emotional needs, relationship patterns and personal strengths.

Individual Counselling in Hampstead & High Barnet

I offer confidential face-to-face counselling in:

Hampstead NW3, North London

High Barnet EN5, Hertfordshire/North London

Online throughout the UK

Online and face-to-face sessions can also be combined where suitable, providing flexibility around work, family and other commitments.

Taking the First Step

I understand that reaching out for counselling can feel daunting, particularly if you haven't experienced therapy before.

Finding someone you feel comfortable talking to is important.

For this reason, I offer a complimentary 20-minute introductory call, giving you an opportunity to tell me a little about what has brought you to counselling, ask questions and get a sense of how we might work together.

There is no obligation to proceed.

You don't need to have all the answers before beginning therapy. Sometimes simply having a space to talk is where change begins.

Noreen Mullally MBACP
BACP Registered Counsellor & Psychotherapist

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