Hi, I am Varsha and I am a person who has experienced life's up's and down's, has been in the depth of the well of sadness, confusion, wanting to let everything go ... I have screamed, hidden, while been in the dark, cold and surrounded by walls that are getting more narrow by the hour. Strangely something inside me woke up because someone heard me screaming "help", even when I was embarrassed asking for support.
About me and my practice
One day nine years ago I was filing up an application form for a job as a midday assistant for one of the local schools, I had to fill up the application by hand, not online or just by sending my CV. When the section came to write about my job experience, I realized that there was one job that I enjoyed while being in the UK.
My parents had their own shops of selling articles of gift, gadgets, jewellery, games consoles and more in Spain. When I got married in the UK in the year of 1999, with a British Asian guy, my jobs where just a basic need to pay for bills, t the only job that gave me satisfaction, because I was making a difference, feeling alive and myself was as a volunteer for Community Mums and Dads.
I was learning about my own self, especially the resilience within me, the skills I had that I never knew they existed, and other skills as:
active listening
non-judgmental attitude
the difference between empathy and sympathy volunteer
the need/importance of boundaries
keeping safe
the meaning of confidentiality
The job role was to support parents and family within community, by following the home visiting program.
I stopped being a volunteer, because I saw the light of the purpose in my lifeI wanted to use my most valuable tool: Experience of life to make a difference.
I started to study counselling and I worked on my skills since 2011, I have completed my studies Level 4 Diploma of Counselling (Person Centred + Existential approach) on 2017. From then on, I have been an Individual registered member of the BACP.
I started my private practice being inspired by fairytales, for that reason the name of my company is "Ugly Duckling Counseling"
Experience
I specialize in Domestic Abuse Counselling, and Existentialism. I can speak 3 more languages apart from English; Spanish, Hindi, and Sindhi, which can make it easier for you if language is a barrier. The fact that I am Indian, brought up in Spain and lived in the UK for 25 years, gives me the extra skill of knowledge of these three cultures
I will offer you the same gift as I was given, when I was in the well of loss: non-judgement, empathy & confidentiality. I believe that therapy should be accessible, so I charge £45 p/h (for online sessions) £50 face to face in the area of Odiham, Hampshire; there are concessions an offer for working parents & students.
The sessions are individually tailored and the number sessions are dependent to your healing process.
Qualifications
Level 4 Diploma Person Centred and Existentialism Approach
Cognitive Behavioural Theraphy
Diploma in Children's Counselling
Professional Membership
MBACP
Professional Register
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
Verified by Counsellingo on Thursday, 10 April 2025
Initial Consultation
You are welcome to contact me for our first consultation by phone for 15 minutes
Fees
£50 per hour for face to face in the Odiham Office in Hampshire (room rented)
£45 per hour for online sessions
£40-£35 Concession available for Students, Working parents & low income individuals
£20 deposit to book your place,
Please enquire before hand
When I Work
I work from Monday to Wednesday from 10am to 6pm, Thursdays off, Fridays from 10am to 5pm, Saturdays from 11am to 5pm and Sundays from 12pm to 4pm
Therapeutic Approach
Person Centred and Existentialism
Video Platforms
Whatsapp, Google meet and Skype
Additional Languages
Spanish & Hindi
Pronouns
She/Her
Area
Hampshire
Varsha Vashisthaw