COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPY
Online & In person South London
Therapy for Anxiety, Grief and Trauma
Therapy for Personal Growth
Therapy for You
Many of us have tried to muddle through our difficulties alone. Perhaps due to circumstances. Possibly because we haven’t felt safe, understood or noticed. It doesn’t have to be this way. Therapy with me is rooted in compassion and curiosity. A space for you to be seen, heard and understood, to heal and to be your truest self.
Donna Burgess
Integrative Counsellor
Psychotherapist-in-training (MSc)
I offer weekly, fortnightly, ad-hoc and maintenance/top-up appointments.
Free initial session. Then £60 per session.
Specialisms
Anxiety (including panic, worry, stress…)
Grief (bereavement and loss of any kind…)
Trauma (from abuse, neglect, difficult childhoods, abandonment, medical interventions, accidents…)
I can also help with…
Bullying. Burnout. Childlessness. Depression. Divorce. Family dynamics. Feeling lost. Friendships. High sensitivity. Identity. Life transitions. Loneliness. Low self-confidence/esteem. Neurodiversity. Relationships. Sadness. Separation. Shame. Work issues
About Donna Burgess
Hello. My name is Donna.
I’m a Counsellor, Psychotherapist-in-training (MSc) and Coach.
Having faced challenging experiences, from early infancy through to adulthood, I have come to know first-hand how helpful the right professional support can be.
I believe humans need each other to survive and thrive, and that the best way to tend to our emotional and psychological wellbeing, is through connection with someone who feels safe and trustworthy enough, for us to be our truest self.
Having benefitted from my own personal therapy, I’m an enthusiastic advocate for proactive (preventative), responsive (reparative), and ongoing (maintenance) mental health care. We don’t have to be in crisis to seek out therapy, nor try to figure things out alone.
All of this, combined with my endless curiosity in humans, is why I initially became a Coach, and then a Counsellor & Psychotherapist.
My Approach
As a relationally-orientated therapist I see therapy as a collaborative endeavour. Together, we explore your experiences, relationships and inner world. We get curious about how you connect to yourself, others, and the world around you. Take time to look at what has been ignored or avoided. Uncover patterns and beliefs that no longer serve you. And make space for change.
My approach is grounded in humanistic and psychodynamic psychology, contemporary neurobiology and somatic practices.
Humanistic psychology emphasises our inherent goodness, free will, personal growth, and the drive towards our full potential. It encompasses person-centred, Gestalt and existential thinking. Whilst psychodynamic psychology explores how our unconscious thoughts and childhood experiences shape our current behaviour, emotions, and relationships.
Contemporary neurobiology is the study of the brain and the nervous system, how they are impacted by our relationships and life experiences (regulation), and how we can change our patterns (neuroplasticity). It explains and enhances how therapy works.
Somatic practices refer to a broad category of body-centric approaches that help us connect with our bodily feelings and sensations (interoception); with mind and body a unified whole.
I support people with a wide range of concerns, challenges and goals. And keep in mind the impact of the systemic factors that imprint upon us: cultural, political, environmental, familial, social.
I specialise in Anxiety (including panic), Grief (any kind of loss) and Trauma (including childhood trauma, birth trauma, medical trauma, workplace trauma and relationship trauma). I’m interested in how adverse experiences impacts our brains and bodies, how we adapt, how symptoms manifest (PTSD, cPTSD), and how we heal.
My Experience & Qualifications
I have been working in people-centred roles for more than twenty years. Initially as a leader in professional settings, and then as a charity volunteer supporting elderly people and those experiencing homelessness.
I started psychology training in 2020, completed my foundational counselling training in 2023, and began a 2-year psychotherapy diploma in 2024. I am currently working towards full clinical accreditation with the UKCP.
My key counselling and psychotherapy qualifications are:
MSc Integrative Psychotherapy - Metanoia Institute (2026- 2028)
Body Psychotherapy - The Grove (2026-2027)
Clinical Assessments - Metanoia Institute (2026)
Therapeutic Skills and Studies - Metanoia Institute (2023)
Social Psychology - The Open University (2020-2021)
I have also completed a number of specialist trainings. The details or which are on the Credentials page.
I began working as a Therapist for charities and low cost therapy services in 2025 including Care to Listen and Choices Charity. This has included working with NHS Talking Therapies (IAPT) via a partnership with South London and Maudsley (SLAM), one of the UK’s most respected providers of mental health services
And via my own private practice.
Availability, Fees & Contact
I provide both short-term counselling and longer, open-ended therapy.
Short term counselling can support you with a recent challenge (e.g. a relationship breakdown, redundancy, a health change etc).
Whereas longer, open-ended therapy is more suited to deeper or complex matters (e.g. trauma, abuse, traumatic loss) where trust and feeling safe enough to explore such experiences, takes time and pacing.
It’s fine not to know which is right for you, and you don’t have to decide on a duration when you begin.
I offer weekly, fortnightly, ad-hoc and maintenance/top-up appointments.
The first session is free. After that sessions costs £60. Fees are reviewed annually.
I work 10:00-20:00 on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. And 10:00-14:00 on Wednesdays and Fridays.
You can contact me by email hello@donnaburgess.co.uk or on 07348 952499.
"The act of revealing oneself fully to another and still being accepted may be the major vehicle of therapeutic help"- Irvin D. Yalom
FAQs: Availability, Costs, Experience, Training, Qualifications, Ethics, Quality Assurance
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My working hours are:
Mondays 10:00-20:00
Tuesdays 11:00-20:00
Wednesdays 10:00-13:00
Thursdays 10:00-20:00
Fridays 10:00-14:00
Saturdays 10:00-12:00
I offer weekly, fortnightly, ad-hoc and maintenance/top-up appointments.
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The first session (30 minutes) is free.
Weekly sessions after that £60 per session.
Prices are reviewed annually. -
Yes. I have availability for new clients.
I offer weekly, fortnightly, ad-hoc and maintenance/top-up appointments.
Please get in touch for current availability. -
I have been working in people-centred roles for more than twenty years. Initially as a leader in professional settings, and then as a charity volunteer supporting elderly people and those experiencing homelessness.
I first trained as a Coach in 2017, and launched my Coaching practice in 2022. Since then I’ve helped many people navigate their career, fulfil their ambitions, change direction, and handle challenging workplace situations.
I began working as a Therapist for various charities and low cost therapy services in 2025. This has included working with NHS Talking Therapies (IAPT) via a partnership with South London and Maudsley (SLAM), one of the UK’s most respected providers of mental health services.
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I started my psychology training in 2020, completed my foundational counselling training in 2023, and began a 2-year psychotherapy diploma in 2024.
I am currently working towards completion of:MSc in Integrative Psychotherapy (a Transtheoretical Approach)
Certificate in Body Psychotherapy
Certificate in Anti-Oppressive Practice
Certificate in Clinical Assessments
I have also completed a number of specialist trainings. The details or which are on the Credentials page.
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I am verified by Psychology Today.
I am working towards full clinical accreditation with the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).
I am a member of the UKCP and NCPS and honour their Codes of Ethics.
I am insured, registered with the ICO, and hold an enhanced DBS.
I am trained in Safeguarding Adults (levels 1 & 2) and GDPR. -
My training is aligned with the highest level of the SCoPEd framework ensuring:
Safe and Ethical Practice
Deep Knowledge and Skills
Evaluation of Client Needs
Self-Awareness and Reflexivity
Therapeutic Relationship-Building.
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My key counselling and psychotherapy qualifications are as follows:
MSc Integrative Psychotherapy - Metanoia Institute (2026- 2028)
Body Psychotherapy - The Grove (2026-2027)
Clinical Assessments - Metanoia Institute (2026)
Diploma (equivalent) in Integrative Psychotherapy - Metanoia Institute (2024-2026)
Therapeutic Skills and Studies - Metanoia Institute (2023)
Social Psychology - The Open University (2020-2021)
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I work with people facing a wide range of concerns, challenges and goals.
I have a special interest in supporting people dealing with anxiety, bereavement (and grief, for any kind of loss), as well as trauma (including childhood trauma, birth trauma, medical trauma, workplace trauma and relationship trauma).
To support this, alongside my primary qualifications, I have undertaken a breadth of CPD.
Specialised training includes:Adverse Childhood Experiences
Borderline Personality Disorder
Breathwork for Regulation
Grief and the Nervous System
Grief Tending
Healing Trauma
Intergenerational Trauma
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Sex and Sexuality
Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse.
Therapeutic Endings
Trauma and Disassociation
Trauma informed practice (PTSD, C-PTSD & Dissociation)
Working with Queer Clients
See the Credentials page for full details.
Credentials last updated: November 2026
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