Leonie Holm
es Counselling
Hya I’m Leonie, an experienced and accredited counsellor and psychotherapist based in Colchester who truly gets it.
I work sensitively with women struggling with childhood trauma, ADHD, burnout and anxiety.
The perimenopause years are often when these issues finally come to a head. We find ourselves exhausted and dealing with the aftermath of difficult family dynamics, painful or narcissistic relationships, years of misdiagnosis and feeling misunderstood. Does this sound familiar?
A different kind of counselling
You won't find me suited and booted with a notebook, but more likely wearing trainers, a friendly smile and a cup of tea in hand.
I came to therapy work through my own journey with trauma, ADHD, parenthood and the many twists and turns that life can bring. I show up as myself, hopefully someone you can relate to and feel comfortable with. I want therapy to feel like a space where you can be yourself, without feeling judged, analysed or expected to sit quietly while I take notes.
I have extensive experience working with adults navigating the challenges of ADHD in later life, and the anxiety and trauma that can often go alongside it. Clients have told me they've worried about fidgeting in sessions, going off on tangents or interrupting. Please don't worry! I pride myself on keeping up with even the fastest of talkers.
You can swear, fidget, change the subject and talk as much as you need to. We can laugh and cry together, and hopefully work towards some real and lasting change.
Alongside my specialist areas, I also support women experiencing a range of emotional and mental health difficulties.
Counselling in Colchester and surrounding areas | Online counselling across the UK
Shame dies when stories get told in safe places
Together we can try and make sense of the past and how it’s affecting your present.
You are not alone, and I would like to help; your feelings do matter.
I won't tell you what you should do or expect you to have all the answers. We'll work together to understand what's happening for you and, where it feels helpful, explore how your past may be influencing your present.
Maybe its OK to put yourself first for once…….
“I always knew that my childhood was something I tried to block out. I was scared that if I ever tried to talk to someone about how unhappy it was, it would break me. I could tell from the start Leonie just got it and instantly put me at ease. I didn’t have to go over the gory details unless i wanted to, or felt ready, and even then Leonie made sure we explored memories in a safe way. I spent so long drinking too much, putting up with bad relationships and having no boundaries with people. What I learnt in therapy was life-changing. I realised so much of how I was self-sabotaging was because of what I had seen and experienced as a kid. It was like the more I learnt about myself, the clearer things started to become. I laughed, I cried, some weeks were really tough and others I would get those light bulb moments. Give it a try! you won’t regret it, I really do feel so much lighter”
Anonymous Female
How I can help
ADHD in women
Living with ADHD can affect so many areas of life, particularly when you've spent years masking your difficulties or wondering why things seem easier for everyone else.
I work with women who are diagnosed, exploring a possible ADHD diagnosis, adjusting to a later-life diagnosis, or trying to understand how ADHD has affected their relationships, emotions, work and everyday life.
Trauma work
Complex Trauma and Childhood Trauma
Our early experiences can continue to shape how we see ourselves, our relationships and the world around us, often long into adulthood.
I work with women who have experienced multiple or repeated episodes of trauma throughout their lives. This can include childhood abuse, birth trauma, domestic abuse and emotionally abusive or narcissistic relationships.
Working in a trauma-informed way underpins everything I do. It's important that you feel safe, supported and emotionally grounded within our therapeutic space before we begin exploring and processing painful experiences. There is no pressure to revisit anything before you're ready.
Find out how we can work together.
Anxiety and Burnout
I've worked with clients who have experienced chronic anxiety for many years, and understand just how debilitating it can be.
Perhaps your mind never seems to switch off. You overthink, worry about what might happen, struggle to relax or feel constantly on edge. Even when things appear fine on the outside, inside it can feel like you're constantly battling your thoughts.
Counselling can give you somewhere to make sense of what's happening, explore what might be underneath your anxiety and develop ways of coping that feel more manageable.
Counselling in Colchester and Online Across the UK
I offer face-to-face counselling in Colchester and the surrounding areas, as well as online counselling for women throughout the UK.
Whether you're looking for a counsellor in Colchester or prefer the flexibility of online sessions, I offer a warm, trauma-informed space where you can explore what's troubling you, understand yourself more deeply and begin to find a way forward.
You don't need to know exactly what to say or where to begin. We can start wherever you are right now.
Ready to take the first step?
If you'd like to find out more about working together, you're welcome to book a free 15-minute consultation. It's a chance to have a chat, ask questions and see whether my approach feels right for you, with no pressure to commit.
Book your free 15-minute consultation
Counselling in Colchester and surrounding areas | Online counselling across the UK