UK Counselling and psychotherapy for rural adults facing grief, trauma and life change.
Specialist support for rural working people, farmers and the equestrian community across the UK.
Are you feeling overwhelmed, struggling with your feelings, or facing big life changes? Wondering if counselling might help?
I work with adults living and working in rural communities - particularly those involved in equestrian work, farming, food production and other rual industries. Many of my clients are balancing the pressures of keeping businesses and families afloat while coping with anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, or neurodiversity such as ADHD or autism.
I have been there as well, and you don’t have to carry it alone. My clients tell me that feeling heard and understood by someone who could support them in times of crisis was one of the best experiences they had from counselling, that they didn’t know was available to them.
Online and phone sessions available, daytime, evenings and weekends.
Short and long term counselling.
Face to face, and walk and talk sessions available now, in Aboyne, Alford, Huntly, Aberdeen and surrounding areas.
Anni Stonebridge MBACP, BSc Hons, Dip. Pluralistic Counselling & Psychotherapy,
What to expect
Every journey is unique, and therapy is about finding what works best for you. We’ll move at your pace, exploring and processing your thoughts and feelings in a safe, supportive space.
Sessions last 50 minutes and can be:
Online via Zoom
In person in a quiet, confidentual setting
Walk-and-talk in nature, if you prefer movement while we talk.
How can I help?
Together, we work at your pace to help you:
Reduce distress and find a place of calm
Make sense of what has happened to you
Navigate difficult life experiences and build resilience
Keep going during difficult circumstances
Communicate your needs more clearly and improve family relationships
Make sense of and manage behaviour when it feels out of control
Cope during separation, divorce and family break up
Find meaning and positivity after trauma, loss, or life changing events.
Meet Anni Stonebridge
I am a counsellor specialising in supporting adults who live and work in ruralcommunities, particularly those involved in equestrian work, farming, food production and other rural industries. My work comes from a deep understanding of rural life - it’s rewards, it’s pressures, and the unseen and misunderstood realities that rural people face.
I work pluralistically - I have a menu of different approaches which I will offer to you so we can work together to customise your therapy to your needs and preferences. Starting from a person centred foundation, I draw from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), emotionally focussed therapy (EFT), motivational interviewing, narrative therapy, trauma approaches and family systems theory. At the start of the therapy we will take time to explore what is going on for you and find an approach that feels right for you.
I grew up in rural North Wales and began my working life in the family craft business before training as a saddler, hoofcare professional, and horse trainer. Later in life my family and I moved to North East Scotland where I live now and still support the family food business. I ran my own rural businesses through challenging times including the foot and mother epidemic, economic recession, COVID19, personal loss and career changing injury.
A serious accident involving a horse led me to make some serious decisions about my life, and ultimately my retraining as a counsellor. Through this lived experience, I bring a genuine understanding of grief, loss, identity change, and the emotional impact of having a loved way of life taken from you unexpectedly.
Because of this bnackground, I have a particular sensitivity to the unique challenges rural people face - including isolation, financial pressure, responsibility for animals and livelihoods, and the unspoken expectation to “just get on with it”. I understand how meaningful rural work can be, I live in a national park and the beauty is outstanding, b ut I also know how hard it can be when things go wrong for rural families and businesses.
If you feel that my approach might be a good fit for you, you’re welcome to get in touch. We can talk about what’s been going on for you and whether counselling with me feels like the right next step. There’s no obligation - just a chance to see if working together would be helpful.
"I felt safe, understood, you gave me helpful things to do. The first three consultations were very effective in getting me out of a state of despair. I will use the suggested tasks to work on myself, which will give me a good start to recovery. I highly recommend it."
— CLIENT VOICES
