Navigating Life’s Challenges
People rarely wake up wanting counselling… they wake up wanting things to feel easier.
Sometimes life becomes overwhelming. Anxiety, stress and daily challenges become overwhelming, then feel part of everyday life.
Relationships become difficult, confidence disappears and then you’ve lost sight of who you are. Whatever has happened, you don’t have to face it alone.
At Active Listening Therapies, we offer a warm, confidential space where you can slow down, feel heard and help you make sense of whatever life has thrown at you.
Change Starts With Listening
We believe lasting change begins with understanding. Feeling truly heard can be powerful.
Counselling offers a safe space to explore difficult experiences at your own pace and in your own way.
Whether you are facing trauma, feeling overwhelmed or struggling with life’s challenges, we provide compassionate support through listening, reflection and understanding.
Counselling can help you understand yourself, recognise your strengths and move towards the life you want to live.
How Counselling Can Help?
Life can sometimes feel overwhelming, leaving you unsure where to turn. Whether you’re experiencing anxiety, stress, bereavement, low mood, relationship difficulties or major life changes, it can be difficult to know how to begin making sense of what you are feeling.
Counselling offers a safe, confidential space to explore your thoughts, understand your emotions and reflect on the experiences that have shaped you. Together, we can begin to make sense of what is happening and explore ways to move forward with greater understanding and self-awareness.
Anxiety & Depression
Anxiety can leave you feeling overwhelmed, constantly on edge or trapped in a cycle of worry that affects everyday life.
A calm and supportive space can help you understand what is driving your anxiety, develop new perspectives and move towards greater emotional balance.
Stress & Burnout
Ongoing stress and burnout can leave you feeling emotionally and physically exhausted, making everyday life feel difficult to manage.
Taking time to explore the pressures you are facing can help you regain perspective, reconnect with yourself and begin restoring a healthier balance.
Bereavement & Loss
Ongoing stress and burnout can leave you feeling emotionally and physically exhausted, making it difficult to cope with the demands of work, family or everyday life.
Counselling offers the time and space to understand the pressures you are facing, regain perspective and begin restoring a healthier balance.
Relationships
Relationships can bring connection, support and happiness, but they can also leave us feeling hurt, uncertain or disconnected.
Exploring your experiences within a supportive therapeutic space can help you understand patterns, improve communication and develop a clearer sense of what you need moving forward.
Self Esteem
Life changes can bring uncertainty, unexpected challenges and questions about what comes next.
Whether you are facing a new chapter, a difficult decision or a significant change in circumstances, having space to reflect can help you understand your experiences and find a way forward that feels right for you.
Trauma
Traumatic experiences can affect how we feel, think and respond to the world around us, sometimes long after the event itself has passed.
Having the opportunity to explore these experiences in a safe and supportive space can help you make sense of what has happened and begin moving forward at your own pace.
Life Changes
Life changes can bring uncertainty, unexpected challenges and questions about what comes next.
Whether you are facing a new chapter, a difficult decision or a significant change in circumstances, having space to reflect can help you understand your feelings and move forward with greater clarity and confidence.
Who We Support
Everyone has a story, and everyone deserves to be listened to with respect, compassion and understanding. At Active Listening Therapies, we welcome people from all backgrounds, identities and walks of life, regardless of age, race, culture, beliefs, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability or personal circumstances.
We believe counselling should be a space where you can be yourself without judgement. Our aim is to create a supportive environment where every person feels valued, heard and able to explore their experiences in a way that feels right for them.
Young People
Growing up today isn’t always easy. Young people face pressures from school, friendships, social media, identity and the expectations around them, which can sometimes feel overwhelming or difficult to understand.
Whether you are a young person looking for support, or a parent or carer concerned about someone close to you, we provide a safe, understanding space where thoughts and feelings can be explored at a pace that feels right.
Adults
Life can change in ways we don’t always expect. The pressures of work, relationships, family, health and everyday responsibilities can sometimes leave us feeling overwhelmed, uncertain or disconnected from ourselves.
Choosing to seek counselling is a personal decision, and finding the right therapist matters. We offer an initial consultation call, giving you the opportunity to ask questions, understand how we work and decide whether Active Listening Therapies feels like the right fit for you.
Couples & Family
Family life can bring connection, love and support, but it can also come with challenges, misunderstandings and pressures that are difficult to navigate. Changes in circumstances, communication difficulties or emotional struggles can sometimes leave people feeling disconnected.
Having space to talk openly and explore what is happening can help you understand each other better, rebuild connections and find healthier ways to move forward together.
Workplace Counselling
The demands of modern working life can sometimes feel difficult to manage. Pressure, change, uncertainty and personal challenges can all affect our wellbeing, confidence and ability to cope, both at work and at home.
At Active Listening Therapies, we support organisations and employees through confidential counselling that provides space to reflect, understand challenges and develop healthier ways of managing difficult periods.
Ensuring The Right Fit
Choosing the right counsellor is an important decision. At Active Listening Therapies, we provide a safe, confidential space where you can explore life’s challenges with warmth, empathy and understanding.
Proudly supporting adults, young people and families across Newark-on-Trent and the surrounding communities, we recognise that every person’s journey is unique. Together, we’ll help you understand your experiences, build on your strengths and move forward with greater clarity and confidence.
Supporting Your Journey
We believe every person has the capacity for growth, even when life feels overwhelming. Counselling isn’t about quick solutions or being told what to do; it is about creating a safe space to explore your thoughts, feelings and experiences.
Everyone’s journey is unique, which is why we tailor our approach to you. Through genuine listening, thoughtful reflection and a trusting therapeutic relationship, we help you recognise your strengths, gain clarity and move forward with confidence.
We don’t tell you how to live your life… we create a relationship allowing for healing, discovery and choice.
Louise & Duncan
We are Duncan and Louise, and together we created Active Listening Therapies in 2017 because we believe everyone deserves a space where they can be truly heard, understood and supported.
Our practice grew from a shared passion for helping people navigate life’s challenges, feel valued and discover their own strengths.
Following a career in retail management, Louise’s journey into counselling began through supporting autistic children in education. Seeing the importance of emotional wellbeing inspired her to train as a counsellor, followed by further study in clinical hypnotherapy.
Before qualifying as counsellor, Duncan worked in the events and broadcast industries before returning to Newark and pursuing a more meaningful career supporting others. He has since continued to develop his practice through further training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapies and clinical supervision.
Local Counselling
Active Listening Therapies welcomes clients from across Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and the Vale of Belvoir.
We regularly support people from:
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if counselling is for me?
Many people come to counselling because something in their life feels difficult to manage, understand or change. You don’t need to have all the answers or know exactly what you want to talk about before starting.
If you are experiencing difficult emotions, facing a life change, feeling overwhelmed, or simply wanting to understand yourself better, counselling can provide a safe and supportive space to explore what is happening.
The most important step is finding a counsellor you feel comfortable with. An initial conversation gives you the opportunity to ask questions, understand how counselling works and decide whether Active Listening Therapies feels right for you.
What happens in the first counselling session?
Your first counselling session is an opportunity to meet your counsellor, talk about what has brought you to counselling and begin exploring what support might be helpful for you.
We will take time to understand your experiences, answer any questions you may have and explain how counselling works. There is no expectation to share anything you are not ready to discuss – we will work at a pace that feels comfortable for you.
The first session is about beginning to build a trusting relationship and creating a safe space where you can feel heard, understood and supported.
How many sessions will I need?
Everyone’s counselling journey is different, and there is no set number of sessions that is right for everyone.
Some people find that a few sessions provide the support and clarity they need, while others choose longer-term counselling to explore deeper experiences, patterns or life changes.
We will regularly reflect together on how counselling is helping and what feels most beneficial for you. The pace and direction of your counselling journey will always be shaped around your individual needs and goals.
Is counselling confidential?
Yes. Confidentiality is a fundamental part of the counselling relationship and helps create a safe, trusting space where you can talk openly.
Everything you share will be treated with respect and kept confidential, with a small number of legal and ethical exceptions where there are serious concerns about your safety or the safety of someone else. If this ever became necessary, we would always aim to discuss it with you first.
At your first session, we will explain our confidentiality policy clearly and answer any questions you may have, so you know exactly what to expect.
Do you offer face-to-face and online counselling?
Yes. We primarily offer face-to-face counselling because we believe meeting in person helps build a strong therapeutic relationship and provides a dedicated space away from the distractions of everyday life.
However, we understand that this isn’t always possible. If distance, health, work or other commitments make attending in person difficult, we are also happy to offer online counselling, ensuring you can still access professional support wherever you are.
A safe place to begin…
Taking the first step towards counselling can feel daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our welcoming counselling space in Newark provides a calm, confidential environment where you can talk openly, feel understood and begin your journey at your own pace.
Whether you are ready to start counselling or simply have questions, we are here to listen. Get in touch for a friendly, no-obligation conversation and discover whether Active Listening Therapies feels like the right fit for you.
Fees
We believe counselling should be accessible, straightforward and transparent, with no hidden costs.
Individual session: £40.00
Three-session package: £100.00
We accept bank transfer, credit and debit cards, and secure SumUp payment links.
Missed appointments or cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice are charged at the standard session fee of £40.00.
Find Us
Starlite Business Centre
4a Grove Street
Balderton
Newark
NG24 3AZ
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday: 4.00pm – 8.00pm
Saturday: By appointment
Issues We Are Familiar With
People come to counselling for many different reasons. We have experience supporting a wide range of challenges and life experiences, offering a thoughtful, understanding approach tailored to each individual.
Explore the areas below to find out more about how we can help.
Articles & Resources from Active Listening Therapies
Sometimes understanding what we are experiencing is the first step towards feeling more in control. Our articles and resources explore common challenges around mental health, wellbeing and personal growth, offering helpful insights, reflections and practical guidance.
Whether you are considering counselling, supporting someone close to you, or simply wanting to understand yourself better, we hope our resources provide reassurance, understanding and a place to begin
When Football Breaks Your Heart: How Counselling Helps With Defeat
For many people, supporting England isn’t “just football.” It is a way of life, and when people face grief and loss counselling might be the answer. It’s hope. It’s family traditions. It’s text messages flying around the group chat. It’s strangers hugging in pubs. It’s believing that – this – might finally be the year. […]
Post-Exam Emotional Crash: Why Students Feel Worse
When the pressure of exams stops, something unexpected can happen There’s a pattern I’ve seen repeatedly over the years working with young people and families. Everyone expects relief when exams end. And sometimes that’s exactly what happens – a real sense of release, celebration, even exhaustion in a straightforward way. But quite often, something else […]
When You’re Coping. But Barely… Counselling helps
The Hidden Exhaustion We Don’t Always Talk About From the outside, everything often looks fine. You are getting up each morning, going to work, paying the bills, looking after your family, replying to messages, and doing what life requires of you. In many ways you are coping, but if you are honest with yourself, it […]
We’re here when you’re ready…
If you are considering counselling, have questions, or simply want to find out more, we would be happy to hear from you. Your first step can simply be a conversation.
Active Listening Therapies: Counselling in Newark
We provide warm, professional and confidential counselling for adults, young people and families. Our aim is simple – to create a space where you can feel truly heard, understood and supported.
© 2026 Active Listening Therapies Limited. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without permission.
Active Listening Therapies is a trading name for Active Listening Therapies Limited. Company registration 12118062 (registered in England). Company Directors, Duncan Ellison & Louise Ellison. Registered office: Jacob House, 139 Farndon Road, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 4SP.