Welcome to Dunelm Counselling Services
Counselling with Care and Compassion
Life isn’t always straightforward. Maybe you feel like you’ve hit a brick wall. Perhaps you’re battling with ongoing work-related stress or a long-term injury. Sometimes we just feel fragile, vulnerable, or overwhelmed. Life can throw us a curveball, making the everyday feel like a challenge. If you are struggling emotionally and feel that you are reaching your crisis point, acknowledging this and seeking help is taking the first step.
We all need time and space to offload and reflect on our difficulties and the impact of life events in a safe, peaceful environment to explore our feelings and emotions.
About me
Hello, I’m Stuart Forster, a qualified Integrative therapist and member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapists. With over twenty years of experience, I draw upon various therapeutic techniques, individually tailored to suit my clients' unique needs, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. As a counsellor, I work empathetically, providing a safe and confidential space, so my clients can work towards a more meaningful, positive and productive life with emotional support in a caring and calm environment.
Counselling Sessions
I offer in-person counselling sessions via my Durham-based therapy private practice or online via Zoom. Sessions last for 50minutes, normally on a weekly basis.
Availability
Working hours are Monday 10.00am to 8.00pm, Tuesday 10.00am to 6.00pm, Wednesday 1.00pm to 9.00pm. (Saturdays by special arrangement) Fees are £60.00 per session.
Issues I Support
ADHD
Anger management
Anxiety
Bullying
Autism
Bipolar disorder
Trauma
Bereavement
Burnout
Cancer diagnosis
Career counselling
Generalised anxiety disorder
Career support
Health anxiety
Depression
Social anxiety
Emotional abuse
Family/relation issues
Exam stress
Sexual abuse
Neurodiversity
Panic attacks
PTSD
Suicidal thoughts
Perfectionism
LGBTQ+ counselling
Loneliness
Low self-confidence
Low self-esteem
Mental health
Narcissistic abuse
Redundancy
Separation and divorce
Work-stress
Testimonials
FAQs
Integrative counselling is a combined approach to therapy that brings together different elements, approaches and therapeutic tools from various therapies to explore the client's problems. Integrative therapy aims to provide a unique, bespoke and personalised therapy that is suited to the needs of each individual client. It follows the belief that, because every single one of us is unique, there is no single approach that holds all the answers to all our problems.
Integrative counselling aims to promote healing and facilitate wholeness, ensuring that all levels of a person's being and functioning (mental, physical and emotional health) are maximised to their full potential. In particular, the integrative approach helps clients face each moment openly and authentically without having formed an opinion, expectation or attitude beforehand. Integrative therapy helps create a healthy alliance between mind and body, empowering clients to set goals and practice new behaviours that will enable them to move beyond their limitations and discover greater life satisfaction.
The quick answer is yes. However, finding the right therapist and starting therapy at the right time for you is key to success. Research shows that the two factors most important in producing successful experiences from therapy are your motivation and your relationship with your counsellor/therapist. So, it’s important to take your time when choosing and consider whether you are in the right place to start your journey.
The initial session provides an opportunity for us to meet and for you to tell me a little bit about yourself, what has brought you to counselling and what you would like to achieve from it. As part of the initial assessment, I will ask you a few personal details about yourself and your current situation. I will also tell you a little bit about myself and how I work as a counsellor and give you the chance to ask any questions or to clarify anything you don’t understand. The initial assessment session is an opportunity for you to see if I am the right counsellor to work with. You are under no obligation, and equally, if I feel unable to support you, I will signpost you to a more suitable professional.
Yes, don’t worry. Counselling involves talking to a total stranger about difficulties in your life that are making you feel sad, angry, ashamed, anxious or scared. My role as your counsellor is to reassure you, where you feel safe in the sessions and trust me with your issues. We work at your pace to achieve this.
I offer in-person and online sessions which last 50-minutes. To ensure progress is made, I recommend weekly sessions, normally on the same day and time each week. However, there is flexibility as I appreciate that life can be busy.
Every client is different, and my approach is tailored to your needs. Everyone grows, heals and changes at a different pace, depending on personal circumstances. I offer short-term and long-term counselling. Usually, a client completes an initial six sessions, and then we review the process. We can consider how you are feeling and whether you want to continue with more sessions.
Yes. As a registered member of the BACP, I am bound by its code of ethical conduct. Therefore, everything that you discuss with me in our therapy sessions remains strictly confidential and between us. In exceptional circumstances, such as if you were to disclose to me something which indicated that there was a serious risk or harm to yourself or someone else, then I would be legally obliged to pass on this information to the relevant parties. I would try to discuss this with you first.
I offer online therapy via the secure platform, Zoom. Online counselling is highly effective and convenient for individuals unable to travel to my private practice room in Durham. For online counselling, having a good signal and connectivity, in a private and comfortable space where you won’t be disturbed or distracted, is key.
My location
Durham Therapy Centre, Moor Chambers, Front Street, Framwellgate Moor, Durham DH15EJ. Durham DH1 and Houghton le Spring DH4.
Online and In-Person Counselling Sessions
Sessions last for 50minutes, normally on a weekly basis.
Fees are £60.00 per session, payable by bank transfer or cash.
(Reduced rates for students and those in receipt of State Benefits)
Availability: Working hours
Monday 10.00am to 8.00pm
Tuesday 10.00am to 6.00pm
Wednesday 1.00pm to 9.00pm.
Saturdays by special arrangement
Cancellation: Allow for 48 hours in advance of your appointment.
Get in touch
Ready to start your therapeutic journey? Get support today. Deciding to reach out is your first step to achieving the life you want. To book an appointment, call 07467 402786 or email use secure contact form.
I offer an initial FREE 15-minute telephone consultation to gain insight into what brings you to counselling and will explain how I work. I will ask what you would like to get out of counselling and how we might work together. There is no obligation to continue. You will have the opportunity to clarify any questions or concerns you have about starting therapy. If you want to proceed, we can book your first assessment session either in-person or online.