In their own words

I have been talking with Angela over the telephone for over a year and without her I believe I would still be going in the same emotional circles as before. In my mid forties I began to realise my life was spiralling downwards very rapidly. I was desperately unhappy with my marriage and situation and I felt very alone, but as an English expat living in rural France finding someone to talk with in my own language seemed impossible. I had not imagined that telephone counselling could work so well, and Angela very quickly allowed me to express years of muddled feelings and confusions. Over the following sessions the layers of my situation unfolded and Angela responded to my needs as they arrived — supportive when I was so low, but developing into gently encouraging me to question my own behaviour, and over time this helped me to find the bravery to make serious decisions and changes to my life that I had previously avoided for so long. I had never spoken with a counsellor before, so I cannot compare Angela to others, but I can recommend her to anyone who is unhappy, feeling alone or just 'stuck' and wanting something to change.

I would highly recommend Angela as a counsellor. I found her to be knowledgeable, kind and empathetic. Her approach felt very supportive, containing and professional. This allowed me to think about myself and for myself, explore some ideas, explore some feelings in a safe and secure discussion. This led me to a deeper understanding that has benefited me in my day to day life.

I can't express enough how grateful I am for the support and care Angela has given me over the past two years. From the very beginning, when I was feeling nervous and unsure, she made me feel completely at ease. Her warmth and kindness created a space that felt safe and supportive from day one. What started as help with a specific issue grew into something that has had a wider impact on many areas of my life — far beyond what I originally came to her for. She's helped me develop tools and insights that have not only supported my own growth but have also had a hugely positive effect on my daughter's life. Thank you, Angela.

I found Angela at a very difficult stage of my life, not knowing where things were going or where to turn. A crumbling relationship and full of fear and doubts about my past, the present and for the future. Having finally got over my initial fears of going for 'therapy' I finished the first session commenting to her that I'd actually rather enjoyed it. Further appointments followed in which Angela helped me to address aspects of my life that I didn't even know were issues, as well as helping me realise I wasn't crazy for feeling like I did. There were many moments of laughter along the way and nothing felt uncomfortable. Angela has a real warmth and I have to credit her with helping me to be so much more happy today than when we first met.

I went to see Angela intuitively knowing that I was ready to release and integrate the anger I still harboured towards my parents. Angela's warm and open style of relating enabled me to feel heard and, over a short number of sessions held remotely, my trust deepened sufficiently to allow us to meet face to face. Angela then skilfully held space for me as I vented all my accumulated rage. One year further on down the line my heart is full of compassion for both my parents, although my mother has been dead for a good few years now. I am no longer cowed by my narcissistic father, and am fully able to set appropriate boundaries, not only with him but also with others in my life. My anger is freely available to me when needed and I no longer act in a passive aggressive manner. Last, but not least, I have no hesitation in recommending Angela as a trustworthy, competent, skilled therapist.

After many years of struggling, I realised that my mother probably had narcissistic tendencies. This set me on a journey of finding a way to accept my past and manage my future. I had a first meeting with Angela to review my case and position a way forward. I found talking through past and current issues a great benefit; with Angela's support and skill I've since been able to 'take control' and slowly manage a difficult long term mother/son relationship to benefit me. Angela also helped me identify key points in my life around this situation which again have helped me accept the past and be free in the future. I would highly recommend Angela as she is a great listener, able to tease out sensitive personal information in a professional yet trusting way.

I had found myself in a very troubled place mentally — I had lost a sibling to cancer in the last year and had been struggling with the grieving process. In addition to this, a long term relationship had suddenly ended, so all future plans were subsequently out of the window and I was alone in a foreign land, unsure where I would be next week, let alone next month. In truth, I didn't even want to see friends or family when feeling so out of sorts and panic stricken. I confess to having had some very misguided preconceptions about counselling, and it was really out of desperation that I turned to Angela. She has such a lovely, gentle manner, and is consequently so very easy to talk to. I felt I only had to talk as much as I wanted to, which is key. She's a very flexible counsellor — a session could either be in person, on the phone or by video. Perhaps most importantly, she's very perceptive. I think it was after only the second session that she triggered a real 'light bulb' moment that meant so much to me, because it allowed me to begin to deal with what had happened, and by the final session, while the pain was obviously still there, I felt much more at peace and was able to start to move on. Angela really helped me when I was a very vulnerable stranger, and I now consider her a friend.

I contacted Angela Simmons seeking solutions to personal problems I was unable to deal with alone. Being single, isolated and sliding down that very slippery slope meant I was unable to clarify my thoughts and feelings, and as a consequence was confused and unhappy. Talking to Angela on the telephone on a regular and initially quite frequent basis enabled me to understand myself and my actions better. Her insight has been invaluable in my life, both at that time and subsequently when faced with personal challenges. Angela's ability to respect my feelings, encourage me towards self-understanding, and be non-judgemental was essential at that time. Many of the self-coping strategies I developed with her assistance remain with me now, and I firmly believe always will. I could not have achieved what I have, nor been so far along my journey, without her input and guidance. I can highly recommend her as a therapist.

Angela created a safe space where I can easily share my issues (including those connected to being an expat). She is very perceptive and by asking questions she wisely and quickly leads me to the root cause of my problems and behaviours. I feel that every session we have together is very constructive and honest. I've seen great positive changes in my life and my self-awareness and self-esteem have definitely improved significantly. I also greatly appreciate Angela's flexibility; we have our sessions over the phone, which allows continuity in our work (so I don't have to interrupt the therapy every time I travel for work). I understand that finding the right therapist can be very daunting. At a time I felt lost in my life, I was recommended to contact Angela. I am so grateful I did. I cannot recommend Angela highly enough.

I have never met Angela. Yet I owe much of my present peace of mind to her. Before I first talked to her, it mattered little in terms of personal contentment that I had led a happy family and a useful business life. A terrible inner torment would arise to meet me each morning, without fail. But over a period of many months, Angela telephoned me each week to listen intently, to review, to console and finally to ease the pains of a savage childhood, which had simmered deep inside my mind for more than half a century. I'm at peace with myself now. Angela's empathy, counselling skills and patience have led to a vast improvement in my personal life.

We are delighted with the effect Angela, as a couple therapist, has had on our relationship. We believe she helped us enormously and would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone needing guidance. She is very perceptive and insightful and showed us how to deal with the issues in our lives in a positive way.

It was only on starting work with Angela that I realised that my previous four years of counselling had been a waste of time. Angela has helped me make significant changes in my life and make great progress in understanding myself and my past. We work together on the phone. Initially I thought this would be a problem, but in fact, due to Angela's ease with the medium and how she put me at ease too, it has made the counselling so much easier. I would thoroughly recommend her.

It's so helpful to have someone to talk to who listens and actually hears what I have to say. For the first time in my life I feel valued and valuable. Angela is able to provide the mirroring and validation that has been so sorely missing in my life up until now, allowing me to explore who I really am, and to have more confidence in my own thoughts and feelings. It's clear she cares. She has helped me come to recognise the dysfunctionality of the people around me and how they have shaped who and where I am today, and for that, I shall always be truly grateful.

I have had depression more or less since childhood. Unfortunately it continued into my 50s. On arriving in France ten years ago matters came to a head and I had a full blown breakdown. I was lucky enough to find Angela. The sessions have been conducted by telephone, and from the start I sensed she had an understanding of my problems. I find Angela easy to talk to, very professional, kind, understanding and available when I need her. I maintain contact with Angela when I need her help, and today, thanks to her and a marvellous GP for my medication, I am a different person. I highly recommend her services to anyone needing them.

Angela came into my life at a very low time for me. I was confused and very scared of my fluctuating emotions and depression. Angela understood my struggles as an expat more than I did and had a wealth of connections to share with me as well as buckets full of empathy. Angela's years of experience and skills were a great comfort to me as she helped me battle past demons. I was able to survive a very difficult transition and save my relationship with Angela's help.