Hilda Bellamy

Counsellor

Pronouns - She/Her

I have been counselling adults, adolescents and children since 2017, working in both secondary and primary settings with staff and students and in adult integrative agencies. I have a wide range of experience in supporting clients to an improved sense of wellbeing and offer flexibility in approach.

 

I hope to provide a safe, empathic and non-judgemental space for people to explore their experiences and be actively heard and understood. Through close attunement and tracking my clients gain greater awareness and understanding fostering increased self-compassion, which enables progress to take place. I view the therapeutic relationship as a 'we' - I offer my authentic self as a co-worker and one who recognises that I'm not the expert on another person's life but I am a facilitator - offering my reflections, observations and ideas to aid my clients' processing and promoting active change towards their goals.

 

I feel that working with all aspects of troubling experience: thoughts (often involving self-critical and self-limiting beliefs), feelings, behaviours and sensory aspects, provides a full picture from which key areas to work on emerge. As new research has highlighted effective approaches I have incorporated these and as a result my approach draws on a range of theories: attachment theory, interpersonal neurobiology, cognitive behavioural approaches, internal family systems, trauma-informed approaches, mindfulness, along with sensorimotor and polyvagal theory. My clients soon find the way of working that suits them. I ensure that my clients have access to a range of high quality and evidence-based resources related to their particular concerns and we would have regular reviews to discuss levels of satisfaction with the therapy.

I have a particular interest in neurodivergent conditions in adults and young people and have worked with many clients with ASD, ADHD and OCD. I am a Certified Autism Informed Professional with Evergreen Certifications and keep up to date with recent findings.

In April 23 I completed online training with Sean Inderbitzen APSW, MINT, on polyvagal-informed therapy for autism. Porges' polyvagal theory suggests that ASD is 'a common threat state which initiates defensive responses such as 'anxiety, poor social interaction and hypersensitivity' (Porges et al, 2013). This theory allows an ASD presentation to change according to the state of the autonomic nervous system - supporting the use of mindfulness, sensorimotor skills, bilateral stimulation, a focus on positives and greater mastery of habitual responses. Russell Barkley's theory of executive functioning (Barkley, 2011) and Adaptive Information Processing theory (Shields et al, 2016) also provide useful frameworks for helpful interventions. Whether to pursue a diagnosis and processing the impact of one are important parts of the therapy.

I am a qualified EMDR therapist through training approved by EMDR Europe Association and am a member of the EMDR UK Association. EMDR has been widely researched and found to be beneficial for a range of symptoms. The client retains conscious control over the processing and there is an eight phase protocol which provides structure and safety for the client. The bilateral stimulation can be achieved in a number of ways, not solely via eye movements. Positive results with EMDR are frequently seen more quickly than through talking therapies alone.

Hilda is a specialist in the assessment and treatment of:

  • ADHD

  • Anger

  • Anxiety - Stress

  • Anxiety - Generalised (GAD)

  • Anxiety - Health

  • Panic / Panic Attacks

  • Anxiety - Performance

  • Anxiety - Separation

  • Anxiety - Fears of abandonment

  • Anxiety - Social

  • Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

  • Depression - Low Mood

  • Self Harm

  • Emotional Regulation

  • Grief / Bereavement / Loss

  • Low Self-Esteem

  • Parenting Issues

  • Perfectionism

  • Relationship - Attachment issues

Hilda is also very experienced in the treatment of;

  • Addictions - Substance

  • Addictions - Gaming / Gambling / Other

  • Anxiety - Agoraphobia

  • Anxiety - Phobias

  • Depression - Seasonal Affective Disorder

  • Gender Identity Issues

  • Miscarriage

  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

  • Pain management

  • Relationship - Codependency

  • Relationship - Communication difficulties

  • Relationship - Doubt in relationship

  • Sleep - Problems

  • Trauma - Childhood Trauma

  • Trauma - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

  • Trauma - Road Traffic Accidents

  • Career Coaching

  • Work - General

  • Work - Bullying

  • Work - Stress

Therapeutic approaches and models of practice Hilda is able to use in her therapy:

  • Integrative Therapy

  • Interpersonal therapy

  • Mindfulness

  • Eye Movement Desensitisation Regulation (EMDR)

  • Person-centred therapy

  • Sensorimotor psychotherapy

  • Polyvagal theory

  • Compassionate Inquiry

  • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

  • Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)

  • Coaching (Career / Life)

  • Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)

  • Psychodynamic therapy

  • Schema

    Hilda works with:

  • All adults, across the whole age range from 18 years + 

  • Adolescents (10 - 18 Years)

  • Children (Under 10 Years)

Feedback from Hilda’s Clients

"A Safe Space to Be Heard"

“Starting with a new therapist is a little daunting, but from the first session Hilda made me feel at ease and totally comfortable. Working with Hilda enabled me to reflect on what had happened to me and to name my feelings associated with the issues. Throughout our sessions I felt listened to and confident to discuss anything. Although she had a lot of clients, she remembered details of my story. I felt valued and safe to talk which was really important to me.” Anonymous

"A Reassuring and Encouraging Guide"

“I called upon Hilda’s services when my work/life balance and the emotions I felt proved tricky to handle. I was welcomed by a bright, warm and friendly smile, which instantly made me feel safe. I was also offered a reassuring and understanding voice to help guide me through the termoil of feelings that I felt. It didn’t take many sessions before I felt better, stronger and more confident in my abilities. I can highly recommend Hilda’s approach, which is kind, gentle and encouraging.” Anonymous

Hilda’s professional Qualifications & Accreditations

  • BACP accredited - membership number 00904157

  • EMDR parts 1,2&3 Part 3 - With Sandi Richman:

  • Level 4 diploma in therapeutic counselling,

  • Spurgeons college, Aug 2019

  • Level 3 certificate in counselling skills for working with children, Place2be, Nov 2017

  • Level 2 Award in counselling skills for working with children, Place2be Mar 2017

What is a Counsellor?

A Counsellor is a trained professional who provides a safe, confidential space for individuals to discuss their thoughts and feelings. They actively listen, offer empathy and guidance, and create a supportive environment. Counsellors specialise in various areas, prioritise the client's well-being, and promote mental and emotional health. They undergo education and training, focusing on holistic well-being and client-centered approaches.

What is EMDR?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a therapeutic approach designed to help people heal from trauma and highly distressing experiences. When a person goes through psychological trauma or significant stress, their brain may struggle to fully process the event. This can leave the person feeling "stuck" with disturbing emotions, thoughts, and bodily sensations that resurface as if they were reliving the experience.

EMDR helps to reprocess these stuck memories, allowing the brain to resolve them in a healthier way. This often leads to a significant reduction, or even elimination, of distressing symptoms, improving emotional well-being.

Recognized by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2013 as an effective treatment for trauma and trauma-related disorders, EMDR has been extensively researched and proven to help with a wide range of psychological difficulties. The therapy follows a structured eight-phase protocol that ensures safety and guidance for the client. During sessions, bilateral stimulation—such as guided eye movements or tapping—helps the brain process traumatic memories in a controlled and conscious manner.

Many clients find that EMDR can lead to faster, more lasting results compared to traditional talk therapy alone, making it a highly effective option for addressing trauma and other distressing life events.

 

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