Together we will turn wounds into wisdom. Survival into strength. Pain into possibility*
*You don’t have to carry the weight of the past or the distress you’re facing now on your own. Whether it’s the impact of abuse, toxic relationships, or deep wounds that still shape your present, together we can gently untangle what’s holding you back so you can rise into the life you truly want.
About Me
I'm Amy, a therapist and coach with over 16 years of experience supporting people through some of life’s most painful and transformative challenges.
I work integratively, drawing from a base in humanistic counselling (trained in 2010), combined with hypnotherapy, coaching, and a strong trauma-informed approach. My work is shaped not just by theory, but by deep lived and professional experience, in particular, in the areas of sexual abuse, domestic abuse, and complex trauma.
Alongside working for various counselling organisations (and I currently volunteer for Yellow Door a Southampton-based charity working with clients impacted by sexual and domestic abuse), I previously spent 15 years working in children’s services, supporting individuals navigating difficult circumstances to make big changes. That time taught me how crucial it is to be heard, believed, and empowered, not judged or managed. It’s what led me to offer something more human, relational, and healing through therapeutic work within my private practice and volunteering.
Outside of work, I’m a single parent to two children and our much-loved dog. Having come through an abusive relationship and rebuilt my life, I understand how deeply challenging, scary but also transformative those experiences can be.
Our family is neurodivergent, and I home educate one of my children while the other attends mainstream school. We do life a little differently, with curiosity, compassion, and a willingness to step outside the norm when it’s right for us.
My Why
I do this work because, in many ways, it feels quietly rebellious. I like supporting those who have been overlooked, not prioritised, or harmed, whether by individuals or by the systems and structures around us. I enjoy empowering them to be recognised, blossom and focus on their needs. I’m passionate about helping people who have been made to feel small, broken, or “not enough” rediscover their strength. Many of the people I work with are women who have experienced sexual or domestic abuse, and who are still feeling the ripple effects years later - in their self-worth, their relationships or their sense of safety. Watching someone rise from a place of pain or uncertainty into confidence, self-belief and real freedom is why I do what I do.
This is also personal. I’ve experienced times in my own life where I felt isolated, unseen, and unsure of my worth. As a teenager, I experienced a sexual assault, and later a domestically abusive relationship. These experiences and the long journey of healing that followed shaped not only who I am, but also how I work.
It matters deeply to me that you feel seen, valued, and supported exactly as you are and that together, we build something that helps you move forward, not just survive.
Approach
I’m a therapist and coach who works integratively, meaning I draw from a range of therapeutic approaches to suit your individual needs, not a one-size-fits-all model.
Aim
My aim is to support you in a way that feels personal, empowering, and effective. Whether you're navigating the impacts of trauma, rebuilding after abuse, or working through deep emotional challenges, I offer a calm, compassionate and safe space where we can work at your pace.
Working Together
I use tools such as humanistic counselling, hypnotherapy, coaching, somatic approaches, and trauma-specific methods. These help to gently access and process what’s held in both the mind and body, creating meaningful and lasting change. I only use tools that my client is comfortable with and we work collaboratively to support growth and progress. I'm a great believer that when you use a combination of tools tailored to the individuals needs, you get better results and progress.
What You Can Expect
Working together, you’ll gain more than just tools or coping strategies, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of yourself, your patterns, and your needs. Clients often describe feeling more grounded, more connected to themselves, and more confident in making decisions that align with who they truly are.
This work can help you:
Rebuild trust in yourself and others who deserve it
Release shame and self-doubt
Build stronger boundaries and emotional resilience
Move forward with clarity, purpose, and a renewed sense of self
Improve relationships and how you choose or show up in them.
You’ll begin to see that healing is not about “fixing” yourself, but about reconnecting with your inner strength and reclaiming your voice. The process may be gentle, but the changes can be powerful and lasting.
Click here to read more about the types of issues I can help with.
Get in Touch
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how I work, or to arrange an appointment. This enables us to discuss the reasons you are thinking of coming to therapy, whether it could be helpful for you and whether I am the right person to help.
Therapies Explained
I draw on a range of therapeutic and coaching methods, tailoring our work to what best supports you, not a one-size-fits-all formula. Below is a brief introduction to the key approaches I use and how they work together to create lasting transformation:
Humanistic Counselling
This approach is rooted in empathy, acceptance, and the belief that you are the expert in your own life. It offers a safe, non-judgmental space to explore your feelings, develop self-awareness, and grow in a way that feels authentic to you.
Gestalt Therapy
A powerful branch of humanistic therapy, Gestalt focuses on present-moment awareness: how you feel, think, and act right now. It helps you recognise patterns in your relationships and responses, often connecting them to unfinished emotional experiences from the past. It’s especially effective for deepening self-understanding and creating real change in how you engage with the world.
Hypnotherapy (RTT & Ericksonian)
I use a combination of Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT) and Ericksonian hypnotherapy, depending on what feels most appropriate and comfortable for you. These approaches use focused attention to access the subconscious mind, where unhelpful core beliefs and emotional patterns are often securely stored.
RTT helps to uncover and reframe limiting beliefs, while Ericksonian hypnotherapy works more subtly, using metaphor and suggestion to support insight and encourage change (so you replace the unhelpful beliefs, behaviours and feelings with more productive ones!). Hypnotherapy can be especially helpful for issues like low self-esteem, anxiety, emotional blocks, or feeling stuck, supporting deeper clarity and transformation in a gentle, effective way.
Somatic Therapy
Somatic approaches work with the connection between mind and body, helping you process emotions that are held physically, not just mentally (think ‘The Body Keeps The Score’ by Bessel Van Der Kolk). Trauma and stress often live in the body, and by gently tuning into physical sensations, we can release stored tension, restore balance, and support healing on a deeper level.
Coaching
Coaching supports you in setting goals, overcoming blocks, and moving forward with clarity and purpose. It’s forward-focused and practical, offering structure and encouragement as you take meaningful steps toward the life you want to create. It is putting desires into practice.
By blending these approaches based on your individual needs and comfort, we can work together in a way that is personal, empowering, and effective. This integration allows for a whole-person transformation, supporting both emotional healing and the confidence to move forward with your life.
My Location
I offer face-to-face sessions in Eastleigh, Hampshire. I also offer online and telephone sessions to clients throughout the UK.
Fees & Availability
I offer a free 15-minute telephone call for anyone who’d like to explore whether working together feels like the right fit.
Sessions are 60 minutes long and usually take place weekly or fortnightly, depending on your needs. Each session is £60
I offer telephone sessions, online sessions via Zoom and in-person sessions in my dedicated therapy room (a comfortable, private converted garage with parking).
Note that if you want to cancel an appointment with less than 48 hours ' notice, you will still be required to pay unless there are unavoidable or exceptional circumstances.
For all initial enquiries, please get in touch by email.
© Amy Lister
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