Nathalie Mineau  MBACP, SEP, PGDip, BSc.Psy 

My approach to counselling:

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Firstly, I would like to acknowledge that choosing to work with a counsellor takes courage because it means that you are willing to look at some potentially difficult and painful memories, thoughts or experiences and hopefully make some lasting changes in your life.

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Every counsellor brings their own personality to the relationship and finding the right therapist for you is essential if you are to feel safe enough to explore what is troubling you and where you would like to go from here.

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As a Somatic experiencer and humanistic counsellor, I work in a trauma-informed way. That means that I believe that healing and change only occurs when we feel safe enough, in the presence of another, to explore and share who we are.  I also believe that feelings of anxiety, depression, emotional and even physical pain can be traced back to past experiences that had left us feeling threatened and vulnerable and that, given the right support and care, we all have the capacity to heal, grow, and ultimately overcome and integrate these experiences and make peace with our past. 

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Non-judgement and kindness are at the heart of my work. I offer an empathic and confidential space where you can feel seen, heard and psychologically held.  I work in a non-directive way, I do not advise, diagnose or tell you what to do but rather aim to help you develop a deeper understanding of yourself and help you find new and easier ways of being.  I understand the importance of working at your own pace, giving you time to process and integrate each aspect of your experience before moving on or addressing more traumatic or difficult stories. 

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I work from a non-pathologizing understanding of mental health issues and emotional distress and I am committed to providing an inclusive, welcoming and safe space to all and work with clients from a variety of backgrounds and life experiences. I am gender, sexuality and relationship diversity affirmative. 

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Training and background:

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I am a registered member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy) and of the SEA UK (Somatic Experiencing Association) and abide by their ethical framework and guidelines. 

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I completed a BSc in Psychology (Guildhall University - London) and a Post-graduate Diploma in Humanistic Psychotherapeutic Counselling (Brighton University), during which time I worked within the LGBTQ+ communities and have experience working with a broad variety of issues including anxiety, depression, body dysmorphia, gender dysphoria, trauma and sexual identity and sexual abuse.  I am completed a three year training with SOS Internationale as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. 
 

Prior to this, I worked as a Body worker, Massage Therapist, Craniosacral Therapist and Acupuncturist body worker and trainer for over 30 years and have a deep understanding of the relationship between Mind and Body that has lead me to study the work of work of Stephen Porges and Deb Dana (Polyvagal Theory), Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing) and Bonnie Badenock (Heart of Trauma) in particular.

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