Victoria Hampson, BACP
About me
The most powerful thing anyone can ever say is, "I can't do this anymore, I need help" and to reach out for that support.
Are you overwhelmed with life issues and need some support?
Do you feel anxious and would like to learn how to feel calm?
Do you feel unheard and unseen and would like to be acknowledged and validated?
Would you like to work with someone who can offer a safe, confidential non-judgemental space who can listen to you empathically?
My practice is based on my extensive counselling experience, evidence based counselling practices and current research. I am an Integrative Counsellor which means I can use different models of counselling to support your needs.
My counselling experience includes supporting people with issues of overwhelm, anxiety, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, trauma, abuse, life losses, lack of meaning and purpose, social anxiety and health diagnosis in particular Cancer, working with the newly diagnosed as well as those receiving palliative care to end of life.
I have helped individuals overcome low self-esteem, low self-worth, lack of confidence, loss of sense of self/identity.
I specialise in supporting those suffering grief due to bereavement and I have enabled people to regain balance, meaning, restorative calm, so that they can regain a sense of independence to continue living their life.
I am an Accredited Pregnancy & Infant Loss Practitioner supporting both male and females experiencing grief due to pregnancy loss (stillbirth, miscarriage, missed miscarriage, failed fertility treatment, ectopic, unknown location, miscarried multiple, absorbed multiple, medical termination, termination) and infant loss (including SIDS).
My specialism of working with grief includes helping those with issues when grief has become more complicated for various reasons.
Let's not sugar coat it, life is hard! Sometimes friends/family/work colleagues can listen but don't hear, they look but don't see. We can often feel unheard and invisible.
We can all experience times when we feel low in mood, stressed, sad, or generally overwhelmed and these are normal reactions to life occurrences However, sometimes these feelings and emotions persist and cause disruption to our ability to function with day to day living and impact on our wellbeing.
You may feel judged or that you wear a mask for the outside world but this isn't you and how you really feel.
You may have an overwhelming sense of not being good enough, of being consumed by anxiety, which can often leave us feeling isolated and alone or so drained, depleted and low in mood that you just don't have the strength for anything any more.
It is at times like these that we certainly need to be seen and heard but we may not know where to turn for help. I understand that the idea of discussing your innermost thoughts and feelings in counselling can be a frightening prospect, however I do offer a warm, safe, confidential environment where individuals feel comfortable in discussing any issues of concern being able to express emotions no matter how intense. I provide a compassionate presence, listening and validating your story and feelings. I like to work in a pluralistic way which means I collaborate with you to establish what your expectations of therapy are, what outcome you would like from therapy sessions, how you would like to work, for example, in a directive or non-directive way, do you want tasks to do away from therapy sessions, for example, journaling.
I like to work with you agreeing a way forward together, working at your pace, being supported by me but I will never tell you what to do. As a counsellor I never give advice as I am not you and I would be giving the advice from my perspective. I aim to help you gain more clarity on your issues, perhaps a different perspective, maybe more acceptance, a sense of calm, feeling more confident, a sense of direction, purpose or meaning. I aim to encourage, support and empower clients so that they may understand their experiences, have an outlet for emotions, regain a sense of balance, embody change, look ahead, make informed choices and facilitate independence leading to living the life they want.
As an Integrative Counsellor I will always discuss with you if I feel a particular model may help you and explain the model to you. Models I can use are :- Person Centred, CBT, Transactional Analysis, Psychodynamic, Existential, IFS.
I have a relaxed approach and my clients say that I am warm, understanding, and offer a calm presence with a sense of humour and a down-to-earth demeanour.
I have a BSc (Hons) 1st Counselling. I also have a Diploma in CBT, Diploma in Psychology. My specialist research area is the umbrella term "Compassion Fatigue" which includes Burnout, Secondary/Vicarious Trauma and Moral Injury. I have previously worked for a Women's Mental Health Charity; a private general mental health organisation and I am an Oncology Counsellor on an NHS Regional Cancer Unit and have my own Private Practice where I offer face to face, online and eco-therapy for clients. I have an enhanced DBS certificate.
Please note that whilst I have Insurance this is subject to English Law with the Exclusive Jurisdiction of the Courts of England and Wales and therefore any claims must be filed in England.
Professional experience
Additional areas of focus: Career difficulties, Compassion fatigue, Abandonment, Aging and geriatric issues, Attachment issues, Cancer, Caregiver issues and stress, Chronic pain, illness, and disability, Co-morbidity, Codependency, Commitment issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Coping with natural or human-caused disaster, Divorce and separation, Emptiness, Fertility issues, First responder issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Hospice and end-of-life counseling, Infidelity, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Midlife crisis, Money and financial issues, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Postpartum depression, Post-traumatic stress, Pregnancy and childbirth, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-love, Sexual assault and abuse, Social anxiety and phobia, Women's issues, Workplace issues
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Credentials information
BACP Therapist - Registered Member MBACP #391019
Reviews
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Victoria Hampson. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
I’m finding the sessions really helpful and starting to feel like I’m making progress and taking control of my well being. I like the variety of suggestions including some that I would not have ever tried or would have dismissed in the past.
Written on Jan 24, 2025 after therapy with Victoria for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, self esteem, and career difficulties
Victoria has been excellent in helping me start the journey of really understanding myself
Written on Oct 03, 2024 after therapy with Victoria for 1 month on issues concerning addictions, relationship issues, grief, coaching, and adhd
Only had two sessions so far, but instantly clicked with Victoria, and felt heard and understood! Makes me see past/present experiences in a new light. I have no doubt that with more time, I will find closure in past traumas and heal!
Written on Sep 17, 2024 after therapy with Victoria for 3 weeks on issues concerning relationship issues
Victoria is really good at making me feel at ease, listens and gives me a lot of food for thought. All positive so far. Thank you
Written on Aug 09, 2024 after therapy with Victoria for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
Victoria is wonderful. Insightful, emphatic and has many tools to support the journey.
She’s very personable and just lovely. She has helped me muchly.
Written on Jul 08, 2024 after therapy with Victoria for 5 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, and intimacy-related issues
I was nervous about therapy as I had never tried it before. From that first greeting Victoria made me feel completely safe and welcome. She has a very reassuring, friendly and calm manner.
Speaking to Victoria and using the methods she has recommended, has made me view myself and my problems in a new and constructive way. I feel confident about my future path. My therapy sessions are something I look forward to each week. I would recommend Victoria highly.
Written on Jan 14, 2024 after therapy with Victoria for 2 months on issues concerning trauma and abuse