About Me

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I'm Hollie, the counsellor and psychotherapist behind Hope & Bloom Counselling and Psychotherapy.

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My journey to becoming a therapist wasn't a straightforward one. Before establishing Hope & Bloom, I spent more than 20 years working across education, health and social care, supporting people through a wide range of circumstances and stages of life.

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Those experiences have had a significant influence on the therapist I am today. They have taught me the importance of looking beyond what we see on the surface and taking time to understand the person, their experiences and what may be happening beneath the behaviour or difficulty they are experiencing.

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My Professional Background

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My earlier career included working with older adults, including people living with dementia, as well as supporting adults experiencing complex needs and working in residential and community settings.

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I later developed extensive experience within education, including specialist and trauma-informed environments supporting children and young people with a range of emotional, developmental and educational needs.

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I have worked with children and young people who have experienced trauma, attachment difficulties, SEND and barriers to education, as well as supporting individuals and families within community and residential settings.

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I have also worked within health and social care education, teaching and assessing learners undertaking professional qualifications and supporting workplace practice.

Although my career has taken me through many different settings, there has always been a common thread — supporting people, understanding their individual circumstances and helping them to feel heard and valued.

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Becoming a Counsellor and Psychotherapist

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My personal and professional experiences eventually led me towards counselling and psychotherapy, where I could bring together my understanding of people, relationships, development and emotional wellbeing within a therapeutic setting.

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I hold a BSc full (Hons) in Counselling and Psychotherapy, including specialist training in working therapeutically with children and young people.

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As part of my professional training, I also undertook personal therapy. This was an important part of becoming a therapist and helped me develop a deeper understanding of self-awareness, vulnerability and what it can feel like to sit in the client role.

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I am a Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and an Accredited Member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS).

I continue to undertake professional development as part of my commitment to ethical, reflective and effective practice.

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What Is Important to Me as a Therapist

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I believe that the relationship between therapist and client is at the heart of counselling.

For me, being a therapist isn't about having all the answers or telling someone what they should do. It is about creating a space where someone can slow down, be listened to and begin to make sense of their experiences in their own way.

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I work from a person-centred foundation, integrating other therapeutic perspectives and approaches according to the individual person I am working with.

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My practice is particularly informed by trauma, attachment and neurodevelopmental perspectives. My previous professional experience has also given me a strong understanding of the ways that education, family relationships, environment and life experiences can affect emotional wellbeing.

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Working With Children, Young People and Neurodivergent Clients

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My background has given me particular experience of working with children and young people, including those who may find traditional ways of communicating or accessing support difficult.

I recognise that children and young people do not always have the words to explain what they are experiencing. Where appropriate, I use creative approaches such as play, drawing, Lego and other activities to provide different ways of communicating and exploring experiences.

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I also have experience supporting neurodivergent people, including those with Autism and ADHD. I understand the importance of considering individual communication styles, sensory needs, emotional regulation and the wider environment rather than assuming that one approach will work for everyone.

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Why Hope & Bloom?

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I created Hope & Bloom to offer a counselling space that feels welcoming, down-to-earth and individual, where you can come as you are and feel comfortable being yourself.

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You don't need to have everything worked out before you come to counselling. Whether you've been carrying difficulties for a long time or have simply reached a point where you feel something needs to change, having someone alongside you can make a difference.

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My role is to listen, understand and work alongside you, helping you explore what you're experiencing at a pace that feels right for you. I won't tell you what you should do or expect you to have all the answers. Instead, we'll work together to understand what you need and what might help.

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If you're considering counselling and would like to see whether Hope & Bloom feels like the right fit for you, I offer a free initial telephone consultation. This gives us an opportunity to talk about what you're looking for, answer any questions you may have and decide together whether we'd be a good fit.