Counsellor reaches out to troubled teens

A holistic therapist and counsellor with a wealth of experience is branching out to offer affordable counselling sessions to teenagers.
Becky Willoughby, of Willow Therapy in Tring. Photo by Mikaela MorganBecky Willoughby, of Willow Therapy in Tring. Photo by Mikaela Morgan
Becky Willoughby, of Willow Therapy in Tring. Photo by Mikaela Morgan

Becky Willoughby, who lives with husband Pete and their four children, moved her business Willow Therapy from her home in the Tring Triangle to a cosy room above Brian Clark Opticians in the High Street back in October.

She conducts counselling, aromatherapy, massage and reiki from her warm treatment room away from the hustle and bustle.

She said: “I want to build a service to support mental health and wellbeing, and I know teenagers have a really tough time nowadays. There is a passion there because I have my own kids.

“I’m trying to reach out to those who may not have been able to afford counselling before. The waiting list at the doctors can be long, and I can offer support within a holistic environment.”

The qualified counsellor, who has previously worked as a nanny, is offering cut-price sessions to teenagers with the help of trainee counsellors in either one to one sessions or teen support groups.

She is also looking to offer nurture groups for young children needing emotional support with bereavement and loss or family dynamic issues.

The welcoming room is packed with a range of tools including puzzles, boxes of buttons, wool, a dollshouse and stuffed toys that Becky uses in her counselling sessions with children – some aged as young as 18 months.

Becky has previously worked in schools and has dealt with a range of topics in her career, including eating disorders, bullying, low self esteem, PTSD and bereavement – all within a non-clinical setting.

She said: “Anonymity is really important for these children. The beauty of this building is that if one of their friends walked past and saw them going in, they could be going to get their eyes checked or see the osteopath.

“I want them to be able to come in here, kick their shoes off, flop down on the sofa and feel comfortable, like they’re at home.

“I

Though she’s not been there long, Becky is enjoying having her own separate ‘office’ away from her home, which is incidentally called Willow Cottage.

She said: “There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t say ‘hello little room’ when I open the door.”

Visit the Willow Therapy website here for more information.

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