Charlotte Porter Counselling

About Me

I am an integrative, trauma-informed somatic psychotherapist, specialising in supporting people who have experienced trauma and the profound wounds and losses it can leave in its wake.I also work with a wide range of experiences, including anxiety, depression, grief and loss, relationship challenges, addiction, emotional overwhelm, and feelings of being stuck or disconnected from yourself. My approach is compassionate and collaborative, creating a safe space where we can gently explore what you have been through and how it may continue to affect you in the present.I believe therapy is not about fixing who you are, but about developing a deeper understanding of yourself and creating the conditions for meaningful change. Through this process, we can explore old patterns, build greater connection and resilience, and find new ways of relating to yourself and the world around you.My experience is shaped by decades of supporting people affected by trauma, attachment difficulties, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm. Before becoming a therapist, I worked closely with students facing many of these significant challenges, including those who were neurodivergent. Supporting neurodivergent individuals and developing an understanding of the unique challenges they may face has since become an important part of my therapeutic practice.I bring this experience into my work with warmth, curiosity and compassion. My aim is to help you feel more empowered, more connected to yourself, and better able to navigate life with greater clarity and confidence.

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My approach - Holistic and personalised

I use an integrative approach to counselling, which simply means that I draw on a variety of therapeutic theories, tools and techniques rather than relying on one particular way of working. This allows me to tailor therapy to you as an individual and to what you need at different points in your journey.My work draws on psychodynamic therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), the person-centred approach, Transactional Analysis (TA) and somatic trauma-informed therapy. We can also incorporate creative tools where this feels helpful, giving you different ways to explore and express your thoughts, feelings and experiences.• Attachment: Exploring how your early relationships and experiences may influence the way you connect, trust and relate to others today.
• Psychodynamic: Exploring how past experiences, relationships and emotions may continue to influence how you feel, think and respond in the present.
• Transactional Analysis (TA): Understanding the patterns that can develop in our relationships and finding new ways to respond when old patterns no longer serve us.
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Looking at the connection between your thoughts, feelings and behaviours, and developing practical ways to manage difficult emotions and unhelpful thought patterns.

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‘Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate’ - Carl Jung

Trauma-informed Somatic Psychotherapy

I also offer trauma-informed somatic psychotherapy. This kind of therapy recognises that our experiences can affect both our minds and our bodies. Alongside talking and exploring your experiences, we may gently pay attention to physical sensations, emotions and patterns within the body. This approach is grounded in safety, choice and compassion, helping you develop a deeper understanding of yourself and your responses, at a pace that feels right for you.Alongside the therapeutic work, I offer psychoeducation to help you understand how trauma can affect the mind, body and nervous system. Learning about responses such as fight, flight, freeze and fawn can help make sense of reactions that may previously have felt confusing or overwhelming and can reduce the shame or self-blame that often comes with them.
We can also explore practical resources to support regulation and a greater sense of safety in the body, such as breathwork, grounding, gentle movement and yoga, mindfulness, orienting, body awareness and other embodiment practices. The aim is to build a toolkit of resources that you can draw on both within and beyond therapy, helping you develop greater awareness, choice and compassion towards yourself.

‘Trauma isn't what happened to you, its what happened inside you as a result. The event is over, but the wound it left behind still stings. - Gabor Mate

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What I offer

I offer a safe, supportive and confidential space where you can take time to explore whatever is bringing you to counselling. I am hoping to offer in-person sessions in the near future. For now, I offer online counselling, providing a safe and supportive space from the comfort of your own home. I aim to make our sessions a consistent place where you can slow down, feel heard and have the time to focus on whatever feels important to you.
I work with adults and young people aged 16 and over, supporting a wide range of experiences and challenges. You may be going through a difficult period in your life, struggling with something that has been weighing on you for some time or simply feel that you need a space to make sense of how you are feeling.I can support you with from everyday challenges to more complex emotional and mental health difficulties such as:Anxiety and stress - depression and low mood - loss and grief - relationships and family dynamics - trauma and abuse - addiction - identity and self-esteem – sexuality – neurodivergence - life changes and transitions and other challenges that may be affecting your wellbeing.Our sessions:
Sessions are 50 minutes long and take place weekly, giving us time to settle in, focus on what you need from the session and leave with space to reflect before we finish. Some sessions may feel more exploratory, while others may simply provide you with a place to pause, talk and be heard.My aim is to offer a consistent and accepting space where you can be yourself, without judgement, and where we can work together towards a greater understanding of what you are experiencing.Online Therapy: This is a great option if you prefer the comfort of your own home, have a busy schedule or find travel difficult. We use a secure, encrypted video platform, so you can receive the same high-quality support from wherever you feel most at ease.

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Qualifications & Experience

I began my educational journey with a BSc in Psychology and a BA in Fine Art. I have since worked as a Head of Art and Senior Mental Health Lead within a school setting, supporting young people with a diverse range of mental health, attachment, relational and Special Educational Needs (SEN) needs.I am a qualified Integrative Counsellor, fully insured and a registered member of the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS). I adhere to the NCPS Code of Ethics, placing integrity, respect, inclusivity and each individual’s needs at the heart of the therapeutic relationship.Alongside my formal training and therapeutic experience, I have volunteered with SAASS, supporting survivors of sexual assault and abuse. This work has deepened my understanding of trauma and strengthened my commitment to providing a safe, compassionate and non-judgemental space in which clients can explore their experiences.
I am committed to ongoing professional development, continually reflecting on and developing my practice to ensure it remains ethical, thoughtful and responsive to those I support.Training:
• CPCAB Level 5 Trauma-informed Somatic Psychotherapy
• CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Integrative Therapeutic Counselling
• CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies
• Foundation Certificate in Psychodynamic Counselling
• BSc in Psychology

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Frequency Asked Questions

What is Counselling?
Counselling offers you a safe and confidential space to pause, reflect and make sense of what you may be experiencing. Together, we can explore your thoughts, feelings and relationships with openness and without judgement. My role is not to tell you what to do, but to listen, understand and support you in finding greater clarity and a way forward that feels right for you.How do I start?
I offer a free 30-minute video consultation, giving us the chance to meet, talk about what has brought you to counselling and explore whether I might be the right counsellor for you. If you choose to continue, we will arrange a regular session time and work together at a pace that feels comfortable for you. We will review the process as we go, with counselling being either short- or longer-term depending on your needs and what feels most helpful.How much do sessions cost?
Sessions are £50 and last for 50 minutes. I also offer a limited number of concessionary spaces for counselling trainees and those requiring a lower-cost option. Please get in touch to enquire about availability and eligibility.What about qualifications and insurance?
I am a fully qualified and accredited member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS). I am registered with the ICO, DBS checked and fully insured. Before we begin working together, I will provide you with my privacy policy and a clear working agreement, outlining what you can expect from our therapeutic relationship.

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'I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become' -
Carl Jung