BACP Member · Integrative Counsellor · Sutton, Surrey
About
Meet Roberta
BACP Member · Integrative Counsellor · Sutton, Surrey
My Story
Why I became a counsellor
My path to counselling was not a straight line — and I think that is part of what makes me the counsellor I am today. Before training formally, I spent over two decades teaching and supporting people living with disabilities and neurodiversity, with an ongoing interest in psychology and mental health. I also experienced the transformative effect of counselling first-hand. My experiences shape how I understand and support others today.
I trained as an Integrative Counsellor through CPCAB — the Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body — and I am a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). The BACP Ethical Framework guides everything I do: it is not just a set of rules, but a genuine commitment to working with integrity, care and respect.
I established Quest Counselling Sutton to support others to make positive changes in their lives, locally in Sutton and remotely across the UK.
My Philosophy
What I believe about counselling
I believe that every person has within them the capacity for growth, change and self-understanding — even when that feels very far away. My role is not to fix you or tell you what to do. It is to walk alongside you as you find your own way.
I work integratively, drawing primarily on Person-Centred Therapy and Psychodynamic Therapy. Person-centred work means I bring warmth, honesty and unconditional positive regard to every session — I am genuinely interested in you as a whole person, not just the presenting problem. Psychodynamic work means I am curious about the past: how early experiences, relationships and patterns might be shaping how you think, feel and act today.
What this looks like in practice is different for every client. Some people need to talk. Some need to be heard. Some need to understand. Some need to grieve. I follow your lead, and I bring in different tools and perspectives as and when they feel useful — never because a model says I should.
I have a particular interest in working with people who have been marginalised or overlooked by mainstream services — people with disabilities, carers for people with disabilities, neurodivergence and those whose experiences have not always been taken seriously. I bring genuine understanding to this work, not just professional knowledge.
Credentials
Qualifications & Experience
My practice is grounded in formal training, professional registration and over two decades of real-world experience in disability and mental health settings.
Professional Qualifications
BACP Member
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy — the UK's leading professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists.
CPCAB Counselling Qualification
Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body — a nationally recognised qualification in integrative counselling.
Integrative Counselling Training
Formal training in Person-Centred Therapy and Psychodynamic Therapy, with ongoing continuing professional development.
Ongoing CPD
Regular supervision and continuing professional development in line with BACP requirements.
Professional Experience
20+ Years in Disability & Neurodiversity
Over two decades of direct experience supporting people with physical disabilities, neurodivergence and sensory impairment.
RNIB — Royal National Institute of Blind People
Experience counselling people with sight loss and visual impairment, including the emotional and psychological impact of acquired disability.
Sutton Mental Health Foundation
Community mental health support in Sutton, working with adults experiencing a wide range of mental health challenges.
Royal Marsden Hospital
Experience in a cancer care setting, supporting the mental health and wellbeing of adults navigating diagnosis, illness and treatment.
Working Together
What to expect from our sessions
Counselling can feel like a big step. Here is what working with me actually looks like.
A initial consultation
We begin with a no-obligation session so you can get a sense of how I work and whether it feels right. There is no pressure to commit.
Regular weekly sessions
Sessions are typically 50 minutes, held weekly at a consistent time. Regularity matters in counselling — it creates a rhythm and a sense of safety that allows deeper work to happen.
A pace that is yours
There is no agenda, no homework, no pressure to perform. We go at your pace. Some sessions will feel profound; others quieter. Both are valuable. I will be with you throughout.
"I became a counsellor because I know that being truly heard and validated is one of the most healing things one person can offer another."
Roberta, Quest Counselling Sutton
Ready to take the first step?
Book a initial consultation with Roberta. No commitment, no pressure — just a conversation to see whether working together feels right for you.