Relational & Existential Counsellor & Psycho-therapist
About
I’m Zoë (she/her) and I am a qualified Counsellor & Psychotherapist. I’m Irish with Antiguan heritage and based in Bristol, UK.
I’m endlessly curious about people and their stories, and how these stories can shape a life. While interested in all aspects of the human condition, I’m particularly drawn to experiences of belonging and non-belonging, and how we attempt to tether ourselves to a world filled with uncertainty.
I have a range of experiences supporting adults with their mental health. From 2020, I volunteered with Bristol Mind on their emotional support helpline. I did this for two years and provided peer support to other volunteers working on the line as well.
During my training, I undertook a two year placement at The Swan Project, an organisation providing low-cost therapy services to adults impacted by addiction.
I also worked for four years for Keystones Care, initially as a Mental Health Support Worker, providing support to adults with long-term, complex mental health needs. Now I continue to work there as an in-house psychotherapist alongside my private practice.
- Applying Anti-Oppressive Practice in Therapy – The Anti-Discrimination Focus
- MA with Distinction in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy – University of South Wales
- Level 4 Certificate in Integrative Counselling – University of Plymouth
- Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills – South Gloucestershire and Stroud College
Approach
Rarely, if ever, are any of us healed in isolation. Healing is an act of communion.
— bell hooks
Navigating life in the current climate is hard. Dealing with the ongoing unrest in the world alongside our own personal battles can often feel like too much to hold. While therapy alone cannot change the world, it can be a place to share the load, to untangle yourself and make sense of who you are and where you’re going.
Therapy is a process of continual learning and unlearning. My approach is more conversational than structured, and we will co-create a unique relationship and language together that gives you the space to see yourself more clearly.
As a therapist, I am interested in all areas of study that attempt to make sense of how we exist in the world and with one another. I work integratively, primarily weaving together relational psychodynamic therapy and existential therapy but I believe having an awareness of the socio-political systems and structures we live within is just as important as understanding our internal and interpersonal worlds. I use an anti-oppressive lens within my practice which means I am always thinking of the role power can play in our lives.
Relational psychodynamic therapy considers the relationship between the therapist and client to be an essential factor in the therapy process. As we work together, we will form a relationship, and that relationship might mirror other relationships in your life. I might highlight certain patterns that come up and you might recognise familiar feelings and reactions. All of this can be used as a tool to help link to the past to the present and understand the ways you relate to others more clearly.
Existential therapy is based on existential philosophy which believes that we are not born with inherent meaning to our life but that we create meaning ourselves, and in everything we do. It helps you discover where the meaning you have created in your life has come from, what experiences, influences, traumas, relationships have informed it, and how you might go about creating new meaning. This type of therapy encourages you to live more deliberately and more authentically, while accepting what it is to be human.
Counselling often takes place over a shorter period of time, 6-12 sessions, and focuses on a specific issue. It could be difficulty at work, or a relationship break-down, any situation that is causing stress in your life that you would like to gain more clarity about so that you can move forward.
Psychotherapy is generally a longer process, which may begin by looking at a specific issue but will delve deeper into your past and might examine multiple issues you’ve faced in your life and look for repeating patterns or themes. It will help you to explore how you came to be the person you are today and how this might be impacting your experiences at work or your relationships, for example.
Counselling can often develop into psychotherapy as once you begin to uncover aspects of yourself you might want to keep digging, but maybe not. Therapy can be for as long or as short as you like, and some people like to dip in and out when they feel they need it most.
Therapy is difficult and it’s important to do this work with someone you trust. Your therapist will be someone you share your inner world with – your fears, fantasies, pain, shame, but also the lighter moments too. Having a connection with your therapist where it feels possible to bring all parts of yourself without judgement or awkwardness is crucial. Paying attention to your body during an introduction call or initial session can be a good indicator for if it feels right.
With new clients, I only offer weekly sessions. As the therapeutic relationship is so important for trust and safety to build, I find that working weekly means this process develops sooner. Once we have worked together for a while and it feels like the majority of the work has been processed then I offer fortnightly maintenance sessions.
Areas I work in:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Suicidal Thoughts
- Social Anxiety
- Trauma
- Burnout
- Addiction
- Relationship Issues
- Relationship Diversity
- Belonging/Migration
- Grief & Loss
- Religious Trauma
- Climate Anxiety
- Social Identity (Race, Gender, Class)
- Discrimination
- Sexuality
- Mixed Heritage Identity
Fees & Contact
If you would like to discuss the possibility of working together, I offer a free 15 minute phone call which will allow us to get a sense of one another and to answer any questions you might have.
I am available both online, nationwide, and in-person, based in Bristol.
Fees:
£55 for 50-minute weekly sessions
£35 for 50-minute weekly sessions (concession rate for low income earners – limited availability)
To get in touch, please send an email to: zoedorantherapy@gmail.com or fill out the form below.
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Resources
If you are in crisis or feel you need support urgently, here are a list of useful contacts:
NHS crisis line, open 24 hours, daily – 0800 953 1919
Samaritans Listening Service, open 24 hours daily – 116 123 or (Bristol) 0117 983 1000
SANEline Open daily 4.30-10.30pm – 0300 304 7000
Bristol MIND Line (Listening Service) – Open Wed-Sun 7-11pm – 0808 808 0330
Shout (support) – Open 24/7 – Text: SHOUT to 85258
If you are looking for therapists working specifically with identity and minority groups, here are a list of resources:
Black, African, Asian Therapy Network – www.baatn.co.uk
Pink Therapy for the LGBTQIA+ community – www.pinktherapy.com
Zoë Doran Therapy 