Empowering you with your mental health
Testimonials from former clients
“This experience has been a huge step for me but you have made it possible with your kind words and your patience.”
-anonymous
“I have found solace in being able to communicate exactly how I feel to those around me”
-anonymous
“You gave me a safe space and you have helped me find my voice”
-anonymous
“I felt really comfortable speaking to you”
-anonymous
About me
Hi, I'm Annamaria. I started my counselling journey many years ago.
I was feeling low in confidence, uncertain in how to navigate my life.
I reached out to a Counsellor to help me gain some direction.
I felt heard and understood and over time learnt how to accept myself.
I was offered a space where I could express myself and work through difficult feelings.
As I felt supported it inspired me to train as a Counsellor. I believe given the right conditions, we each have the capacity for growth.
I am committed to supporting you on your journey of self-development.
I believe that each person has their own story to tell.
I also believe that we all have a natural striving towards growth and healing.
If you feel ready to start your journey, I am ready to listen.
How I can help
As a Counsellor I have been on a journey and appreciate how difficult it is trying to navigate through life challenges on my own.
I offer a non-judgmental space, where you can express difficult thoughts and feelings to better understand them.
I can help you explore your past experiences through to the present, find ways of coping and gain clarity and understanding in your experiences.
Counselling can also help you to feel more in control of your life and gain a different perspective on situations and relationships.
I am experienced in supporting people through many issues, including;
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Relationship issues
- Family issues
- Confidence issues
- Betrayal
- Trauma
- Stress
- Abuse
- Abandonment issues
- Loneliness
- Separation/Divorce
- Childhood issues
- Life changes
- Low self-esteem
- Self-harm/suicidal ideations
- Bereavement/Loss
- Domestic abuse
Qualifications and Experience
- Level 5 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
- Certificate Counselling Skills
- Introduction to Counselling Skills
Alongside my qualifications I am also trained in other areas including working with trauma and how trauma affects the body; working with young people; hoarding behaviour and living with chronic pain.
I currently provide counselling with the Terrence Higgins Trust, working with young people and adults.
Fees & Availability
My fee is £50 per session.
Appointments are available on Wednesday and Thursdays morning to evening.
I currently work from a comfortable space in Enfield Town; Genotin Terrace and Church Street.
I also work online.
Main Services
Online Counselling
Via Skype, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and telephone
In person Counselling
Comfortable rooms based in Enfield Town
I offer long term as well as short term counselling, depending on your needs.
Therapy Rooms
10 Genotin Terrace EN1 2AF
Nearest station: Enfield Town
88 Church Street EN2 6AR
Nearest station: Enfield Chase
Article: Signs of a Strong Therapeutic Alliance
“Having counselling can feel like a huge step to take. It might also feel daunting and exposing, the idea of telling a stranger your deepest feelings might even stop you from making that step. You may have your own goals or things you want to change in order to feel different; stronger, more confident, to feel like you again. Counselling is a space for you to express yourself; to share your innermost feelings and subjective view of the world.”
To read the full article click the link below
Blog
Stress management - how to widen your window of tolerance
July 2024
Stress affects each and every one of us. Our ability to handle stress can be influenced by many factors; temperament, tiredness, hunger. Chronic stress can have a negative impact on your physical and mental health, as too much of the stress hormone cortisol can lead to digestive problems, sleep problems, heart disease, high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, muscle tension and pain. It can have a negative impact on your daily life, as you struggle to complete daily tasks, and may feel overwhelmed, wanting to close yourself off.
[https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20046037]
Which is why it is important to increase your capacity to manage stress. Each of us has a ‘window of tolerance’; a capacity to which we can tolerate stress on a daily basis. When we are within the window, we can bounce back quicker from stressors. When we are outside of the window, we may be overwhelmed and unable to cope with life. How stressed do you feel when someone bumps into you? What happens in your body? How long does it take you to feel calm again?
Building your self-care resources are key to managing stress and increasing your capacity. Think about what helps you to feel calm and relaxed. Some examples might be; reading a book, listening to music, writing your thoughts/feelings down, deep breathing, exercise (walking, yoga, jogging etc), watching/listening to something funny.
Maintaining a sense of structure can also help. For instance, a regular sleep routine, limiting screen time, eating a healthy, balanced diet.
Talking about your stress can help to put it in perspective, and build your awareness of ways it is impacting you.
If stress is having a negative impact on your life, counselling can help you to develop coping skills and resources, helping you to feel more in control of your life.
Blog
Loneliness: Understanding and Overcoming It
July 2024
What is it?
It’s not about the external environment, it’s about your internal world. Loneliness is when we feel disconnected from the people around us. You could be in a crowd of people but feel like the only person in the room. These feelings are intensified by feeling misunderstood and uncared for by the people around you. It can be caused by various life events, such as a bereavement, changing job, or moving away from family or friends. It can also be impacted by physical health, for instance physical disability.
If you suffer with anxiety or depression, you may be more vulnerable to feelings of loneliness if anxiety stops you from socialising and connecting with others. Moreover, feelings of depression can also impact the way you feel when you are with others. Loneliness can also make depression worse, like a vicious cycle, as it isolates you further.
What can help?
Talking about how you feel can help, as you might find you are not the only one feeling that way. It can also help to normalise your feelings.
Improving your self-esteem can help you feel less lonely. Getting involved in activities that you enjoy and enables you to meet new people, such as a book club, local nature walks, volunteering.
Physical exercise can help alleviate feelings of anxiety and depression and can help you to build self-esteem.
For more information visit About loneliness - Mind
Blog
Anxiety in the workplace:
6 Ways to calm anxiety symptoms
February 2024
Anxiety is an experience shared by many. It is also prevalent in the workplace. You might notice increased stress levels, more irritable, less patient with yourself and others, trouble sleeping with the dread of going to work. Anxiety can present in various physical and psychological signs; feeling a knot in your throat, racing thoughts, heart pumping through your chest, difficulty concentrating, sweaty palms, self-critical. It can feel overwhelming and as if you are alone. There will be others with a similar experience.
Keeping a log can help you to increase your awareness of any triggers, where you’re feeling unsafe, and noticing when you feel calm.
It can be difficult to talk to people when you’re feeling anxious, even isolating and lonely.
Self-care is crucial in managing anxiety;
- talk to someone you trust about how you’re feeling
- keep a diary - noticing any sensations in your body
- maintain hydration (drinking water and non-caffeinated drinks can help)
- Engage in exercise you enjoy (e.g. yoga, running, walking)
- Take short breaks when you can. Changing your environment can help you feel calmer.
- Talk to your Manager/Occupational Health Department
You may be surprised that even with a short 10 minute walk daily, or 15 minute yoga session can make a difference. Without adding extra pressure, it’s about doing what you can, when you can.
Blog
Ways to Gain Emotional Control
November 2023
Emotions can feel uncomfortable and cause an out of control feeling. It can feel overwhelming trying to cope with daily life and keep your head above water.
We feel emotions for different reasons, for example, anger can be a way of expressing a need within you that hasn’t been met, such as not being listened to. You might be feeling sad from missing a relationship, or feeling hurt by someone you trusted.
When we try to ignore these feelings they tend to show up in other ways, usually in inappropriate places, which can lead to further problems.
If you notice a persistent uncomfortable feeling that won’t go away, ask yourself
- have I experienced a change? (e.g. work, family, friends)
- has something happened recently that reminds me of something in the past?
Sometimes a feeling can be triggered from a past experience when we felt hurt by someone.
It can help to keep a journal of your emotions in order to keep track of how you are feeling day to day, and to identify any particular triggers. Having counselling can help you to make sense of how you feel and to provide a space for you to feel heard and understood.
Blog
talking helps
May 2023
Mental health affects us all in some way. There is a good chance we know someone who is going through a difficult time. Chances are, we are that someone.
The words mental health, depression, anxiety, loneliness, can all sound quite scary, but it doesn't have to be.
Talking about how mental health impacts each of us takes a lot of courage, and when we do, we connect a bit more with each other. So let's take that first step in opening that conversation.
Blog
how to get help
April 2023
We live in a world where access to online media and information is ever-growing, which is great.
However, it’s important to be aware of the information we are accessing and to ask ourselves some questions;
- How accurate is it?
- Who is it written by?
- Is it from a reputable/reliable source?
We are flooded with information as a result of the internet and social media, which can be helpful or a potential hindrance to our wellbeing.
For further information on mental health see counselling-directory.org.uk, Bacp.co.uk, Mind.org.uk.
Blog
Counselling for anxiety: How to ease symptoms
April 2023
Anxiety can feel crippling and paralysing.
It can feel overwhelming and a lonely place to be in feeling this way. You are not alone.
Anxiety is a common experience affecting each person in similar ways.
If you’re feeling this way on a daily basis, it can feel exhausting, energy draining.
Ways to reframe your anxiety starts with getting to understand what triggers it.
Exploring your anxious thoughts and feelings can feel scary, even daunting to think about peeking into the abyss.
Getting to understand the anxiety can help to overpower it and help you to feel more in control of it.
Keeping a journal of when you feel anxious, how it feels in your body, and to identify triggers can be vital information.
Visiting your GP can be useful as they can guide you towards self-help tools, prescribing anti-anxiety medication, as well as referring you to a counsellor.
Working with a Counsellor can help you to explore your anxious thoughts and feelings in a non-judgmental space. Counselling can support you to delve a bit deeper and help you to understand your experiences, and to develop ways of coping.
Contact me
annamariaantonioucounselling@hotmail.com
Google my Business page: Enfield Town Counselling: https://g.co/kgs/mcsuFm
Full profile on Psychology Today
https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/959112
You can also find me on Counselling Directory (click the image below)
