Our approach is simple. Everyone has different needs or concerns that therapy can help with, but you need the right counsellor to meet those needs. In addition, therapy should be a period of calm in your week - a time to reflect and think about what's going on. This can't happen if you're stressing about where to squeeze an hour into your busy schedule.

That's why Palmeira Practice works as a team. This gives you the freedom to work with the counsellor who most suits you. In addition, we will find a mutually agreed time that is beneficial for your schedule.

A range of expertise

The Palmeira Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice is an independent therapy practice staffed by a small team of qualified and experienced counsellors and psychotherapists. All the therapists at the Palmeira Practice are qualified in counselling and/or psychotherapy and are professional members of either the BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy), the UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy), or other professional accrediting bodies. All therapists at The Palmeira Practice are committed to on-going training and professional development.

Collectively our therapists have many decades of experience in helping people from all walks of life who are experiencing emotional distress or trauma. Most of our therapists also have particular experience of working with young people aged 16 to 28 years of age.

Counselling and Psychotherapy can offer you a safe and confidential place where you can begin to address unresolved or painful issues and feelings that are weighing you down. The process of therapy can be challenging and hard work, but the benefits can be measurable: a tangible improvement in physical and mental well-being, increased confidence and sense of emotional resiliance, and a greater ability to recognise and manage feelings and difficult situations.

Common issues in therapy

People seek out counselling and psychotherapy for many reasons, including:

Abuse (childhood or adult)
Addiction (of any type)
Angry feelings
Anxiety, stress, compulsive worrying
Bullying (school, home, workplace)
Depression
Developmental disorders (autism, aspergers)
Disability or Ill-health
Disordered eating
Existential issues
Identity issues
Low self-confidence/ self-­esteem
Loss (bereavement, divorce, redundancy, separation issues, etc)
Obsessive compulsive disorder
Panic attacks and phobias
Relationship issues (past or present)
Self-harm
Sexuality
Suicidal thoughts and feelings
Transitions (through adolescence, mid-life, redundancy, etc)
Trauma (childhood or adult)
Work related stress

Our therapists are trained and experienced in aiding you with any of these matters, and more.

Flexible times

We have therapists available to meet with you 7 days a week at various times during the morning, afternoon or evening. We aim to find a time that is right for you.

A comfortable, safe space

All Palmeira Practice therapists will offer you a safe, calm space for your counselling. Most of our therapists have in-person availability at consulting rooms in the Brighton and Hove area. You can see a photograph of the room they use on their profile page, which may help you to visualise the space in which your therapy will take place, and we're sure you'll agree that it's a space that's serene, and will allow you to maintain focus on what's important..

Some of our therapists also work online, using secure platforms such as zoom.

The Palmeira Practice is managed by Shelley Holland (Brighton Therapy Partnership Ltd).

Our Referrals Coordinator

If you contact the Palmeira Practice, your email will go through to Brenda Pollack, our Practice Manager and Referrals Coordinator first, and she’ll organise your first session with a suitable therapist.

After your booking message comes through, she will liaise with the counsellors at the Palmeira Practice to find the optimal match for your requirements, both on a practical level (looking at the days and times you’re available), as well as on a therapeutic level to find the counsellors most experienced with your requirements.

In addition to her work as the Palmeira Practice appointments coordinator, Brenda is a life coach and stress management trainer/speaker. She offers 1-1 coaching outdoors or online as well as workplace and online guided mindfulness practices.