Meet Our Team
Experienced Counsellors in Plymouth and Online
Whether you are facing relationship difficulties, emotional challenges, or seeking personal growth, our team is here to guide you with compassion and professionalism. All our therapists are registered or accredited with a professional body, ensuring the highest standards of care and ethical practice.
Nicole Gaugas
MNCPS Accredited
Level 6 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling (in progress)
Level 5 Advanced Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling
Certificate in Couples Counselling (The Link Centre)
Certificate in Hypnotherapy and Counselling skills
Applied Transactional Analysis in Clinical Practice (Certificate)
Transactional Analysis (101 Certificate)
After working with individuals facing a range of mental and physical challenges, I became a qualified Integrative Counsellor. My experiences motivated me to expand my training to support couples in their relationships.
Many clients come to me exhausted from holding everything together, stuck in old patterns of behaviour, overwhelmed, or unsure where to begin. You don’t need the perfect words; you just need a place to start.
I believe my clients want a steady, compassionate space to explore what’s happening in their lives, so I support collaboration. I will shape each session around what you need, whether you’re navigating anxiety or stress, repeating old patterns, questioning your identity, or facing relationship challenges.
I work with individuals and couples to understand themselves more deeply, shift unhelpful dynamics, and build healthier, more connected ways of living and relating. I blend evidence-based methods with collaboration and offer between-session tools tailored to your goals to support your progress.
Most importantly, I will support you professionally as you move towards a more balanced, fulfilling life. Clients often describe my approach as calm, realistic and honest.
If you’re unsure whether counselling is right for you, we can take it one step at a time.
I work with individuals and couples offering face to face and online sessions on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Marcia Morton
BACP Registered Member
Level 2 Advanced Counselling Skills
Level 3 Counselling Study
Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
Diploma in Teaching Meditation - British School of Meditation
I am a humanistic, integrative counsellor offering a holistic approach to my work, drawing on a number of different approaches depending on the clients needs. I have a keen interest in narcissism and the healing and recovery of narcissistic abuse.
I recently gained a diploma in Mindful Meditation, as I believe by being able to learn to connect back to our bodies and our true selves will not only help us understand what our bodies are trying to tell us, but it can also help us discover inside ourselves, and over time can retune past trauma and anxiety which has entered our bodies by external influences, be this bullying, abuse or conditions and external beliefs that are put on us through our lives.
We all experience personal problems at some point in our lives. It can feel like we are ‘stuck’ with certain difficult emotions, which is why I focus on giving you the ideal environment to explore challenging feelings and move past them. Together we will work on developing self-love and a closer understanding of yourself to put you on a path towards a happier, clearer mindset.
I work with individuals offering face to face and online sessions on Thursdays and Fridays.
Emma Storr
BACP Registered Member
Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
Relationship Counselling (Trainee)
I am Emma, a qualified BACP counsellor with experience supporting individuals through grief, loss, bereavement, and trauma. I understand how deeply these experiences can affect your life, and I offer a warm, safe, and confidential space where you can feel heard, supported, and understood.
I work using a person‑centred approach, placing you at the heart of the therapeutic process. I aim to create a compassionate, non‑judgemental environment where you can explore your thoughts and emotions at a pace that feels right for you. Whether you are struggling with a recent loss or carrying difficult experiences from the past, we can work together to help you make sense of your feelings and move towards greater understanding and healing.
I offer flexible ways of working to suit your needs. If you would like to find out more or arrange an initial session, please feel free to get in touch.
In addition to my individual counselling work, I have trained in relationship counselling and am currently completing my practice hours. As a result, I am offering couples counselling at a reduced rate of £40 per session. If you are considering relationship counselling with me, please contact our practice manager, Nigel Summerton, to discuss your needs and to ensure that I am a good fit for you and your relationship.
I work with individuals and couples offering face to face sessions on Thursday evenings and Fridays.
Catherine Poate
BACP Registered Member
Level 5 Psychotherapeutic Counsellor
Level 4 Integrative Counsellor
Transactional Analysis (101 Certificate)
I am a compassionate and experienced integrative psychotherapeutic counsellor. I offer a confidential, supportive and non-judgemental space, where you can offload and gently explore your thoughts, feelings and behaviours and begin to make sense of what you’re bringing.
I believe that the therapeutic relationship is key in counselling and together we can work to build trust and a safe space where you can feel listened to and seen. We can work in a collaborative way at a pace that feels right for you. As an integrative counsellor, I can draw on a range of therapeutic approaches and together we can find one that matches your needs. This flexibility enables you to gain a deeper understanding of yourself and create meaningful change.
I have experience working with a wide range of issues including anxiety, depression, stress, bereavement, low self-esteem, relationship issues, health issues, sexual abuse and domestic abuse.
I offer both short-term therapy (usually 4–6 sessions) for those wanting to work on specific issues, and longer-term therapy for deeper reflection and change.
I work with individuals (18 years +) offering face to face, online or telephone sessions on Mondays and Fridays.
Ali Stewart
MSc Systemic Family and Couples Psychotherapy
UKCP registered
AFSP registered
P.G.C.E
I am a Systemic Family and Couples Psychotherapist working with individuals and couples at Personal and Relationship Counselling.
I have lived in South Devon for thirty five years and throughout that time I have worked with adults, young adults and children in different capacities, mainly in teaching and psychotherapy. I was working as a psychotherapist within NHS
settings for eleven years, meeting with clients experiencing the wide variety of challenges that individuals and couples encounter in life.
My approach is to work collaboratively with people, creating a supportive space where clients can feel more able to express difficult thoughts and emotions safely. Through having different conversations, different perspectives and understandings can develop, making space for other possibilities to come forward. Helping to identify strengths, hopes and goals is an important part of this.
I am registered as a therapist and supervisor with both the UKCP (United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy) and AFTSP (Association of Family and Systemic Psychotherapy) and work within their ethical frameworks.
I work with individuals, couples and young adults offering face to face and online sessions on Thursdays.
Claire Goddard
BACP Registered Member
Certificate in Relationship Therapy Level 5
Advanced Specialist Diploma in Psychotherapy Level 5
Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling Level 4
Certificate in Awareness in Bereavement Care
Transactional Analysis (101 Certificate)
Social work (Diploma)
I am a compassionate and dedicated counsellor/psychotherapist committed to guiding individuals and couples on their journey towards mental and emotional well-being. Having worked within a Bereavement agency, an agency for victims of sexual violence and within Relate I bring a wealth of knowledge and empathy to my practice.
I use an integrative approach developed from three sources, Person Centred, Gestalt and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. I seek to create a safe and non-judgmental space for clients to explore their thoughts and feelings. Using an Integrative model, I tailor my approach to meet the unique needs of each individual. I seek to help clients navigate life's challenges, overcome obstacles, and cultivate a greater sense of self-awareness and resilience.
Having trained and worked with Relate, I am an experienced couples counsellor. I believe that relationships are one of the most important aspects of our lives. While they can bring much happiness and support, that doesn't mean they are easy. Sometimes, we find we have lost connection with each other and become more distant. My goal is to provide a safe space for you to explore your relationship. I will assist you in expressing yourselves, fostering empathy, and understanding your own and each other's behaviours and feelings. Together, we'll delve into the dynamics of your relationship and explore how unfinished issues from the past may be influencing the present. My aim is for you to relate in a healthier way.
I work with individuals and couples offering face to face and online sessions on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Kate Gibb
UKCP Trainee Psychotherapist
BACP Registered Member
Advanced Diploma in TA Psychological Studies (Level 7, Iron Mill Institute)
I am a Psychotherapist in advanced clinical training, offering weekly psychotherapy for people who want to deepen their understanding of themselves and others, explore relational patterns, and develop more meaningful and fulfilling relationships. My training is in Transactional Analysis (TA) Psychotherapy, a humanistic approach grounded in the belief that we all have the capacity for growth and change, given the right conditions.
My aim is to provide those conditions in therapy so that people encountering difficulties in their lives, can be given freedom to explore and make sense of their experience within a safe trusting, non-judgmental environment. My approach, while focusing on exploring different parts of your inner world, puts the relationship between client and therapist at the heart of healing. It is through this relationship that self-awareness and growth can be fostered, allowing you more freedom to choose your path forward.
I have particular experience helping clients with difficulties such as anxiety, depression, workplace stress, family, relationship and parenting issues and anger management.
I work with individuals offering face to face and online sessions on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Helen Parnell
BACP Registered Member
Level 5 Post Qualifying Cert in Relational Counselling
Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
Certificate in CBT
Level 3 Counselling
Hi, I’m Helen, a qualified relationship counsellor. I work with couples who want to reconnect - whether you’re navigating a breakdown in communication, adjusting to new parenthood, or feeling as though your relationship has lost its spark.
I support couples in processing and moving forward after an affair, as well as in building a stronger future together through improved communication, renewed trust, and deeper connection. I’ve had the privilege of working with a wide range of relationships, from newlyweds to long-term partners, blended families, and individuals seeking clarity, growth, and greater self-awareness.
I also work with individuals who want to develop a deeper relationship with themselves - whether that means exploring self‑worth, rebuilding confidence after a relationship breakdown, or learning to create healthy boundaries.
What motivates me most is witnessing moments of real change: when a partner feels truly heard for the first time, when a couple begins to rebuild trust after betrayal, or when someone learns to value themselves enough to make meaningful changes. I offer a safe, supportive space where you can explore and process your thoughts and feelings at your own pace. Together, we’ll work in a way that suits you, helping you move towards the person and relationships you want to have. This isn’t a quick fix, but a journey of understanding, acceptance, and growth.
If you’re ready to transform your relationship with yourself or with someone you love, I would be honoured to support you on that journey.
I work with individuals and couples offering face to face and online sessions on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Steve Worsley
Registered Member MBACP Accredited
Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling (Iron Mill Institute)
Advanced Specialist Diploma in Psychotherapy
Certificate in Education
As a Humanistic Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist with over 15 years of experience, I provide a compassionate, tailored approach to therapy for adults and young people. My professional background is diverse - from serving as a Royal Marine and working with the Devon Ambulance Service to teaching Physical Education and practising as a Sports Therapist.
These experiences have helped shape my understanding of resilience, physical health, and the complexities of the human mind.
My aim to create a safe, non-judgmental space where you can share your story at a pace that feels right for you. I believe you are the expert on your own life; my role is to listen closely and adapt my therapeutic techniques to fit your unique personality and specific challenges.
I support clients through a wide range of concerns, including:
- Trauma & PTSD
- Anxiety, Depression & Stress (including work-related)
- Bereavement & Grief
- Self-Worth, Bullying & Abuse
- Addictions (specialising in alcohol and drug dependence)
- Crisis Support (suicidal thoughts and self-harm)
I offer flexible sessions to ensure support is accessible to you. If you do not see your specific concern listed above, please reach out. I offer a free 15-minute consultation to discuss your needs and how we can work together.
I work with individuals offering face to face, online and telephone sessions on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Melissa Stockley
BACP Registered Member
Level 4 Diploma in Person Centred Therapy
Level 5 CBT in Counselling
Over the past five years, I have worked within the Poole North Primary Care Network, employed by the NHS to establish and deliver a bespoke counselling service for teenagers, their parents/carers, and families. Previous to this, I provided therapeutic support through Relate Bournemouth, working with children and young people, primarily in secondary schools. Alongside this, I worked with families and couples.
My experience also includes working at Purewell Therapy Centre as a therapeutic counsellor for both adults and young people, and serving as the lead practitioner for Dorset at the Grief Encounter Project, where I supported young people and their families through bereavement.
Additionally, I have facilitated group sessions for Dorset Mind, leading Anxiety and Trans support groups, and have contributed to Cruse Bereavement Care. I am trained in Person-Centred Therapy (PCT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT Level 5), Gestalt, and Transactional Analysis (TA), and I work creatively with children and teenagers to tailor therapeutic approaches to their individual needs.
I work with individuals and couples offering face to face and online sessions on Thursdays.
Les Parsons
Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy (Iron Mill Institute) Supervision Certificate
BA Hons (Humanities) Transactional Analysis (101 Certificate)
Having trained originally as a psychiatric nurse, working in community mental health projects for many years, I have been self-employed as a therapist and supervisor for over two decades. My training and experience, especially in community mental health, allows me to work with care and empathy on a wide range of issues.
I bring a number of approaches to my work and always place central importance on forming a non-judgmental therapeutic relationship that allows you to feel comfortable and speak openly about the difficulties you are facing.
I work with individuals and couples offering face to face and online sessions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Ferda Mesquita Barros
Acupuncturist
MBAcC Member of the British Acupuncture Council
BSc (Hons)
LicAc
Diploma in Balneo-Physiotherapy
Ferda has been a valuable addition to our practice since January 2021, establishing her private acupuncture clinic within our building.
After experiencing the benefits of acupuncture during her travels, she pursued a diploma in Balneo-Physiotherapy in 2007 and later graduated from the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine in 2013.
Ferda specialises in Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, offering a holistic approach to wellness. She addresses a wide range of conditions, including women's health issues, fertility, pregnancy support, menstrual problems, musculoskeletal pain, digestive disorders, fibromyalgia, migraines, insomnia, and facial nerve conditions.
When you visit Ferda, you can expect a serene environment, attentive care, and a gentle yet effective treatment approach. Your first appointment will involve a consultation to discuss your health history and determine the most appropriate course of treatment. To compliment your treatment you may receive free cupping, tui-na massage, guasha, moxibustion or ear seeds. Please wear loose clothing for your treatment.
First visit 70 to 80 minutes £75 and follow-up visit 60 to 70 minutes £55
To book an appointment or learn more about acupuncture, contact Ferda directly on 07443434086 or info@ferdambchinesemedicine.com
Getting in touch with us
Interested in couples counselling or psychotherapy? Schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation today to discover if our Plymouth-based therapists are the right fit for you - there's no pressure to book a session. Contact us by phone or using the form below.
Ready to take the next step? Use our online booking system to schedule your initial counselling appointment.
Want to know more about how we supply couples counselling and psychotherapy in Plymouth? Take a look at our Counsellors page for further information on how our team can work with you.
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