Welcome to
Tanya Dunlop Therapy
About Me
I am an experienced psychotherapist with a deep commitment to supporting individuals on their journey toward healing, growth, and self-understanding.
I hold an MSc in Person-Centred Psychotherapy, a Clinical Diploma in Person-Centred Psychotherapy, and a Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling. My professional training was completed at the Metanoia Institute, where I developed a strong foundation in person-centred and experiential approaches to therapy. I have also undertaken additional training in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Solution-Focused Therapy and can incorporate elements from these theories into therapy sessions for clients who feel this would be beneficial.
I am an accredited member of the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) and a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and I adhere to their ethical guidelines and professional standards.
I have worked with a wide range of presenting concerns, supporting clients through issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, loss, identity, abuse and relational difficulties. I currently work with individual clients in private practice and as a therapist in the higher education sector, where I support university students navigating complex personal and academic challenges.
I also offer counselling for a charity dedicated to supporting individuals who have experienced abuse, whether domestic abuse, sexual abuse or abuse in childhood.
My belief in the importance of compassionate, non-judgmental therapeutic support helps ensure that whatever you’re going through, I offer a safe and confidential space where you can be heard, understood, and supported in a way that feels authentic and respectful to you.
Counselling with me
At the heart of my practice is a deep belief that each person is the expert on their own life. I offer a calm, non-judgemental and compassionate space where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences freely and at your own pace.
Therapy is a collaborative process. I see my role as being alongside you—to listen with care, to reflect what I hear and sense, and to hold space for your experiences, even when they feel confusing or painful. As a person-centred therapist, I value your autonomy and inner wisdom. I won’t try to steer you in a particular direction, but I will support you in finding your own answers, in your own time.
Therapy isn’t about being given advice or being “fixed”; it’s about being truly heard. In our work together, you’ll have the space to explore thoughts, feelings and emotions without fear of judgement.
This can lead to a deeper self-understanding, greater self-acceptance, and the freedom to make choices that feel more authentic and aligned with who you are.
Whether you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, grieving or navigating a major life change, therapy can offer the support you need to feel more grounded and in touch with yourself.
I offer a free 15-minute telephone consultation where you can ask any questions before deciding whether you want to book a counselling session.
SPEAK IN CONFIDENCE
Counselling takes place in a safe space, where you can meet with someone who will listen with sensitivity and empathy - and without judgement. In the therapy space thoughts and feelings can be expressed freely and in confidence.
A PROBLEM SHARED...
Trouble with a relationship; anxiety or panic attacks; mood swings or depression - many people face difficulties in their everyday lives that can feel hard to get on top of. Counselling gives us a set of tools we can use to help gain a better understanding of these issues - and how you can move towards managing or resolving them.
MAKE BETTER, HEALTHIER NEW CHOICES
Working together I can help you gain greater insight into the difficulties you are facing, by offering a space which can help you understand why you might act or react to them the way you do. This can help you discover ways to make choices which feel more authentic for you, moving forward
Some of the issues I work with include
anxiety
trauma and ptsd
low mood and depression
loss and bereavement
grief
stress
anger
sexual abuse
domestic abuse
childhood abuse
estrangement
sexuality
identity
relationship issues
family difficulties
childhood difficulties
illness
self-harm
suicidal thoughts
substance misuse
addiction
FEES
I offer a free, 15-minute initial telephone call which provides an opportunity to ask any questions or discuss what issues you would like to explore in counselling. I can provide short term therapy or longer term therapy, depending on what feels right for you and the areas you wish to explore.
My rate is £65 for a 50-minute session.
Some concession places are available (if not already taken) for students and those enduring financial challenges. Payment is by bank transfer before each session.
OUR FIRST SESSIONS
Starting therapy can feel like a big step, and it’s completely natural to feel uncertain or nervous.
In our first session, my hope is to help you feel at ease in a safe, welcoming space where I’ll explain how I work and answer any practical questions you may have about confidentiality, session structure, or frequency. This first session is as much a chance for you to get a feel for whether working with me feels like the right fit, as it is for us to begin understanding what you're looking for, from therapy.
You can begin to share what’s brought you to therapy, which is done at your pace. My role is to listen, to be present with you, and to provide a safe space to begin building a relationship based on trust, respect, and empathy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Counselling is usually short-term, and a good way to help with a current problem; something that can be discussed and, hopefully, resolved within a limited number of sessions. Over a certain number of weeks, the understanding of the problem improves and a way forward becomes clear.
Therapy often describes work that goes a bit deeper, towards more substantial life issues and problems having a deeper effect on the client’s life. Therapy often requires a longer-term approach, so the number of sessions can be open-ended.
Which option is most suitable depends on the client and the difficulties they are facing. In some cases counselling works well as an ongoing, longer-term option - or therapy can manage to resolve an issue in just a few sessions.
How long a period of counselling lasts will vary from person to person and depend on the depth of the issues they are facing. For some people a couple of sessions helps to bring their problems into focus, and they feel ready to move forward; other problems may require more of an open-ended approach.
Before we begin any work we will agree on the number of sessions we’ll undertake, and at the end of that number review our progress. As long as we both agree further therapy will be of benefit to you, sessions can continue.
My aim is to offer a first appointment - known as an initial assessment - within 1-2 weeks. Then we would arrange a set number of counselling sessions to take place at a time that is convenient for you, and where I have availability. How quickly these sessions can begin will depend on the availability of that free ‘slot’.
Everything that is said within the counselling room is private - this is one of the main ways counselling and therapy differ from talking to a friend or relative. Once you are comfortable with the format of weekly sessions and the safe space they provide, you will find the freedom to speak in confidence is of great value.
Note that there are some situations where you may be a risk to yourself or others, and there safeguarding requires that I break confidentiality to arrange appropriate support. . This means that in certain situations I may not be able to keep total confidentiality, however breaking confidentiality is very rare, and usually only happens after discussion with the client.
Sometimes people who are nervous about entering into counselling feel they would like a friend to accompany them. This anxiety is understandable, but a key aspect of therapy is that you should feel free to talk about any issues you feel are important to you. Having someone else with you can make opening-up more difficult, so for this reason I do not see clients accompanied by friends or family.
Contact
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how counselling works, or to arrange an initial assessment appointment. This enables us to discuss the reasons you are thinking of coming to counselling, whether it could be helpful for you and whether I am the right therapist to help.
All enquires are usually answered within 24 hours, and all contact is strictly confidential and uses secure phone and email services.
MY LOCATION
I offer face to face sessions in Bicester, Oxfordshire. I also offer online sessions, which allows me to provide therapy anywhere in the UK.
© Tanya Dunlop Therapy
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