Frequently Asked Questions

Online session - £50 Face to face session - £55 ​Initial call - FREE  ​​ For counselling to be most effective, we usually begin with weekly or fortnightly sessions  - we can work more flexibly over time. If you have any concerns about finance, please do get in touch to enquire about my limited concessionary rates.​​ ​ Fees are payable in advance prior to the start of the session.

I offer: • Counselling from a beautiful hut in woodland in H(/outdoor-therapy)adlow Down(/outdoor-therapy) ​ • Counselling from a rustic converted barn in Upper Stoneham (/in-person-counselling)(nr Lewes/Uckfield /Ringmer) ​ • Walk and Talk on Ashdown Forest ​ • Online Counselling - UK Wide Maps can be found here.​(/contactme) ​​​​

I hold sessions on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I have daytime and evening sessions available.

There are some situations where another service or therapist may be better placed to support you. These include: 1. Anyone under18 2. Couples therapy 3. Current alcohol or substance misuse, or other addictions 4. Recent psychiatric or psychological diagnoses such as schizophrenia, psychosis, or paranoia 5. A long-term history of involvement with mental health services 6. Family therapy​ needs 7. Disordered eating 8. Active suicidal thoughts or crisis within the last six months If it becomes clear that specialist support would be more helpful, I will always discuss this with you sensitively. I’m also happy to guide you towards appropriate services so you can access the support that is right for you.​

People come to counselling for many different reasons. Some of the most common include: *Emotional distress/ mental health symptoms  - for example anxiety, depression, grief, loneliness, low self-esteem *Relationship or interpersonal difficulties - for example work related issues, family conflicts or relationship difficulties *Life transitions  - becoming a parent, experiencing loss, navigating menopause, life changes *Personal growth and understanding  - wanting to understand yourself better, explore meaning and purpose, or create space for reflection. ​ And for some people, it’s none of these — they simply want time for themselves and a space to talk with someone who will listen without judgement. ​ I believe there is a power in putting your experiences into words with someone who will listen with compassion and help you to find clarity, perspective and find a path forward that feels right for you. ​ You can read more about the areas I support women with here, how I support mums here ​​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

There’s no set number of sessions — everyone’s needs are different. Some people work with me for a short period (around 4 - 6 sessions) while others choose to work together for longer. You're welcome to book a block of sessions and then take a break. ​ ​ For counselling to have a positive outcome, it does require a certain amount of commitment, particularly at the start of our time together - I therefore ask that clients commit to weekly  / fortnightly sessions, where possible. We can then review the frequency together as we go. ​

You can read about my therapy approach here(/what-to-expect)

Qualifications : • Degree in law and criminology • Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling I am currently working towards BACP accreditation (expected in 2026). I also work as a Counsellor and Support Group Facilitator at Release Counselling for Women in Brighton (https://www.releaseforwomen.org.uk/)and have supported women across East Sussex for a number of years. ​ I regularly undertake continued personal development and recent examples include training on ecotherapy and breathwork for self-regulation. Professional Registration: I am a registered member of the British Association  for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). (https://www.bacp.co.uk/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=WB_BACP&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Brand%20-%20UK&utm_term=bacp&utm_device=c&utm_network=g&utm_location=1007181&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=14852386482&gbraid=0AAAAAoLPPY8G_XJsOxw7CbPCa-xCsUzSo&gclid=Cj0KCQjw37nNBhDkARIsAEBGI8ORXYLdsGi0ucXPyG2GEQZop9ZttZV4WLJpJvtuNac3bhDwXxc5AwwaAsA2EALw_wcB)I abide by its Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy. I also have full Professional Indemnity Insurance and I am registered with the Information Commissioners Office.

If you need to cancel a session, please send me an email (/contactme)or text me as soon as you can.  To keep your regular appointment time reserved, sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice (or missed entirely) will still need to be paid for in full. I'll always try to find an alternative session for you that week if possible, subject to availability. ​ email: info@hattienichols,com ​ ​

I work part- time (Mon-Weds) and I am not able to provide a crisis intervention. If you feel that you need urgent help, please contact your GP or you can call 111 and select the mental health option / ask to speak to someone from the crisis team  Other support services include:  The Samaritans (Brighton and Hove) 01273 772277 / 08457 90 90 90 Sussex Mental Health Line 03005 000101 ​​ ​ HopelineUK: 0800 0684141 ​ Mind Charity  ​ Prevent Suicide  ​​​ Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. ​ For all other support with mental health please visit  www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/your-mental-health (http://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/your-mental-health)which has numerous contact details for protecting your mental health