Professional Counselling
Helping people feel heard. Supporting positive change.
Taking the first step towards counselling can feel daunting, but you don't have to face life's challenges alone.
At Aphrodite Counselling Service, we provide a safe, confidential and professional space where you can explore whatever is troubling you at your own pace. Whether you're experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, bereavement, low self-esteem, trauma, or simply feeling overwhelmed, our experienced therapists are here to support you without judgement.
We believe that every individual deserves to feel heard, understood and respected. Our aim is to create a trusting therapeutic relationship where you feel safe to explore your thoughts and feelings and work towards meaningful, lasting change.
Helping people feel heard. Helping people grow.
Who We Help
We provide professional counselling for individuals, couples, young people and educational settings.
Individual Counselling
Life can sometimes feel overwhelming. Individual counselling offers a confidential space to explore anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, loss, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem and many other challenges.
Couples Counselling
Relationships naturally experience challenges. Couples counselling provides a supportive environment where both partners can improve communication, understand relationship patterns, rebuild trust and strengthen their connection.
Young People's Counselling
Growing up can bring emotional and social challenges. We provide a safe, confidential space where young people can explore difficult feelings, build resilience and develop healthy coping strategies.
Colleges & Educational Settings
We work alongside colleges and educational providers to support student wellbeing through professional counselling services that complement existing pastoral and safeguarding systems.
How We Work
At Aphrodite Counselling Service, we work from a psychodynamic perspective.
Psychodynamic therapy recognises that our past experiences, early relationships and unconscious emotional patterns can influence how we think, feel and relate to others today. Together, we explore these patterns to develop greater understanding, helping create meaningful and lasting change.
We believe that the therapeutic relationship itself plays an essential role in healing. Feeling understood, accepted and safe provides the foundation for personal growth.
Our work is guided by:
BACP Ethical Framework
Professional confidentiality
Regular clinical supervision
Continuing Professional Development
Respect for every individual's unique experiences
Meet Our Therapists
Choosing the right therapist is an important part of beginning counselling.
Our therapists are qualified professionals who share a commitment to providing thoughtful, ethical and compassionate counselling.
Elizabeth Betts
Founder of Aphrodite School of Counselling and Psychotherapy
Psychodynamic Therapist and Clinical Supervisor
Elizabeth Betts is a qualified Psychodynamic Therapist and an experienced Clinical Supervisor. She runs a thriving private practice, working with individuals, couples, and children across a range of therapeutic needs.
Alongside her clinical work, Elizabeth has extensive experience supervising both trainee and qualified counsellors. She has provided supervision to individuals, facilitated group supervision, and supported students in training placements, bringing depth, insight, and a strong ethical foundation to her supervisory practice.
Andrea
Tutor and Qualified Therapist at Aphrodite School of Counselling and Psychotherapy
Integrative Therapist and Clinical Supervisor
Andrea is a qualified therapist working with both individuals and children. She brings a wealth of clinical experience to her practice, including working within the NHS, providing therapeutic support for children and young people. This background has given her a strong understanding of safeguarding, multidisciplinary working, and the complexities of therapeutic work within organisational settings.
Andrea is also a qualified clinical supervisor, offering supervision to students, qualified practitioners, and groups. Her supervisory approach is reflective, supportive, and ethically grounded, with a clear focus on both practitioner development and client safety.
Dave Manning
Qualified Therapist at Aphrodite School of Counselling and Psychotherapy
Psychodynamic Counsellor
Dave Manning is a qualified Psychodynamic Counsellor who works in private practice with both adults and children.
Before retraining as a therapist, Dave enjoyed a successful career as a police officer, so he brings a wealth of life experience, resilience and an understanding of working with people from diverse backgrounds into his counselling practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long are sessions?
Individual sessions usually last 50 minutes.
Couples sessions last 60 minutes.
Is counselling confidential?
Yes.
Everything discussed during counselling remains confidential except where there are serious concerns regarding your safety or the safety of someone else. This will always be explained fully during your first appointment.
How many sessions will I need?
There is no fixed number.
Some people benefit from short-term counselling focusing on a particular issue, while others choose longer-term therapy to explore deeper emotional patterns.
How often will I attend?
Most clients attend weekly, although fortnightly appointments may also be appropriate depending on your circumstances.
Do you offer online counselling?
Please contact us to discuss your preferences and therapist availability.
How do I book?
Simply complete our contact form, email us or telephone us and we'll help you find the most appropriate therapist.
Not sure where to start?
Choosing a therapist is a personal decision.
If you're unsure which service would best meet your needs, we'd be happy to arrange a brief telephone conversation to answer your questions and help you decide whether Aphrodite Counselling Service is the right fit for you.
There is no obligation to book.
Begin Your Journey
Reaching out for support is often the hardest step, but it can also be the beginning of meaningful change.
Whether you're looking for counselling for yourself, your relationship or your child, we'd be delighted to answer any questions you may have.
Our priority is helping you find the right support.
If that's with Aphrodite, we'll be honoured to work with you.
If another service would better meet your needs, we'll do our best to help guide you in the right direction.
Helping people feel heard. Helping people grow.
Our Promise to You
Starting counselling can feel like a big step, and we understand how important it is to find a therapist you feel comfortable with.
At Aphrodite Counselling Service, we promise to:
Treat you with warmth, dignity and respect.
Listen without judgement.
Work ethically and professionally at all times.
Provide a safe and confidential therapeutic space.
Help you find the therapist who is right for you.
Never rush you into counselling if we believe another form of support would better meet your needs.
We believe good counselling begins with trust, and we are committed to helping you take that first step with confidence.