
Maddie Williams MBACP
Counselling & Psychotherapy
Newton Abbot, Devon & Online
ABOUT ME
My journey into counselling began when I discovered the practice of mindfulness and realised that I wanted to bring more purpose and meaning into my professional life. I began volunteering with my local branch of the Samaritans, discovering the joy of helping people through compassionate active listening, and subsequently joined their training team to help new volunteers find their footing in the organisation. I began my training in Integrative Counselling in 2016 and went on to receive my Advanced Diploma and to become a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy.
​​
When Covid hit I was working as a volunteer counsellor at a South Devon charity which operates on a donation-only basis, to support those on low incomes. I rapidly decided to train to deliver counselling online, to make sure that I could continue to safely support my clients through the pandemic.
​
I now offer counselling and psychotherapy through my private practice, both online and face-to-face, in Newton Abbot, South Devon.

MY APPROACH

I have a person-centred approach, meaning that I am led by the needs of the client. I strongly believe that each client is the expert on themselves (even though it may not always feel like that), with each person having a unique perspective and wisdom arising from their own life experiences. Where clients are feeling lost, I can help uncover the wisdom of their inner authentic self, using an approach that draws from counselling theories including Gestalt, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Transactional Analysis.
Research has consistently shown that the most crucial factor determining the success of psychotherapy is the relationship of the client with their therapist. So, helping you to feel comfortable, heard and safe to express yourself is my primary concern.
My background in Healthcare and Health Science also means that I practice in a neuroscience-informed way, with awareness of the physiological effects of emotional distress in the brain and the body, and techniques for dealing with those effects.
With a history of neurodivergence in my family, I am passionate about supporting people who identify as neurodivergent (whether diagnosed or not). I aim to be mindful of all difference and diversity and to promote equality and inclusion in all areas of my work, whether that be in the fields of gender, sexuality, ideology, health or ability.
I am an enthusiastic life-long learner and conscientious in my Continuing Professional Development to keep up with the latest research and counselling approaches. Courses that I have attended include:
-
Sandy Tray Therapy (2018)
-
Working with Sexual Issues in Counselling (2018)
-
Dealing with distress: working with self-harm and suicide (2019)
-
Working with Body Process (2020)
-
Working with Grief and Loss (2020)
-
How the body keeps the score: Intensive trauma treatment (2021)
-
Working with trauma: Somatic-based interventions to move clients from surviving to thriving (2022)
-
Understanding life with ADHD (2023)
-
The neurobiology and management of ADHD (2023)
-
Understanding Autism (2023)
-
Understanding and managing ADHD & Anxiety (2024)
-
ADHD Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP) Certification Course: Strength-based Interventions to Thrive with ADHD from Childhood to Adulthood (Ongoing)
