About Us
Dr Sandra Westland
DProf Existential Psychotherapy, MA Existential Psychotherapy & Counselling, B.Ed, DCAHP. DipEMDR, Advanced PICT Therapist, Qualified Clinical Supervisor (Existential, Integrative) and Group Facilitator.
Founder, Senior Partner & Consultant
Sandra is a UKCP registered Existential Psychotherapist and Counsellor, as well as being an highly experienced Clinical Supervisor. She has nearly 25 years of experience as a therapist helping people through various difficulties. Her research interests include weight issues, body image, eating disorders and trauma.
As an advanced practitioner of Inner Child Therapy, she works with trauma of various kinds experienced from childhood. Sandra has taught, lectured and run workshops across Europe, and is Co-Founder of Self Help School, an innovative source of education for people looking for self-improvement.
Dr Tom Barber
DProf Existential Psychotherapy, MA Integrative Psychotherapy & Counselling, DHyp, DipEMDR, Diploma Rogerian Counselling. Qualified Clinical Supervisor (Existential, Integrative) and Group Facilitator.
Founder, Senior Partner & Consultant
Tom is a UKCP registered Existential and Integrative Psychotherapist and Counsellor. He has nearly 30 years of experience as a therapist helping people through a vast array of difficulties. He also brings a wealth of experience to his role as a Clinical Supervisor in Colchester and Online.
His research interests include anger, emotion, and addiction, and he has taught, lectured and run workshops throughout the world, bringing to his practice a deep appreciation of cultural differences. Tom is also Co-Founder of Self Help School, a rich hub of resources and education for people looking for self-improvement.
Testimonials
Tom and Sandra have given me the confidence to run my own business for the last four years, and they are both great personalities. I have loved every minute of all that I have received from them. They are highly recommended.
Sandra is probably one of the most gifted and talented therapists in the UK. Genuine, intuitive, and a true natural therapist and trainer.
Tom’s generosity in sharing, his approachable nature, and wealth of experience, make him unique as a teacher, therapist, and human being. If you want to grow I recommend sun, food, water, and Tom.
Reviews on Google
Recent Blog Posts
Learn different ways to help yourself through Tom and Sandra’s blog posts and articles.
The Synergistic Benefits of EMDR for Individuals with ADHD
Unlocking Clarity by Stimulating Treatment of ADHD Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by challenges in attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. While traditional therapeutic approaches have proven...
Help with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – PTSD
What is PTSD? A Closer Look at Its Impact When looking for help with PTSD, it's important to know that PTSD is a psychological response to trauma, often manifesting as intrusive memories, emotional numbness, avoidance behaviours, and intense hyperarousal. While some...
Beating Trauma with EMDR Multi-Sensory Stimulation
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy treatment that was originally designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories (Shapiro, 1989a, 1989b). Shapiro’s (2001) describes how EMDR therapy facilitates the accessing...
Navigating the Overlapping Similarities Between ADHD and PTSD
The Overlapping Realms Between ADHD and Complex PTSD In the intricate tapestry of mental health, conditions like Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) stand as distinct threads, weaving their unique...
Losing Human Contact During the COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic
As the COVID-19 Coronavirus heart-breaking death toll rises, and the message of ‘Stay at home, protect the NHS, and save lives’ continues, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the restrictive lockdown measures many countries are taking around the world,...
EMDR Therapy Wherever You Are
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a revolutionary type of psychotherapy, that has fast grown in popularity, particularly for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, it isn’t only trauma that is being helped with EMDR. Using your...
Get Your FREE Yearly Reflective Journal
At Colchester Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice, we believe that meaningful progress in therapy often begins with honest self-reflection. Our free reflective journal, courtesy of our partner Self Help School, is designed as a companion to your therapeutic...
The Therapeutic Relationship: The Key to Successful Therapy
"The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction, not a destination." This quote by Carl Rogers, a pioneer of modern psychotherapy, encapsulates the essence of the therapeutic journey. But what makes this journey effective? The answer lies in the...
How to Beat the ‘Blue Monday’ Blues with These Practical Tips
Every year, the so-called Blue Monday creeps into our calendars, typically on the third Monday of January. It’s been dubbed “the most depressing day of the year.” A marketing ploy? Perhaps. But behind the hyperbole lies a truth: this time of year can feel bleak for...