Welcome to Inclusive Pathways

Counselling & Psychotherapy with Pip Tonkins

Online & Telephone Sessions (UK-Based)

Inclusive Pathways—My approach to counselling and psychotherapy embraces and respects the diverse backgrounds, identities, and experiences of all clients.

I aim to create a welcoming and supportive environment where individuals from various cultural, racial, gender, age groups, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic backgrounds feel understood and valued. My approach recognises your unique needs, and I tailor my therapeutic interventions to ensure you receive equitable and personalised care.

My goal is to promote healing and growth by acknowledging and integrating the rich diversity of your life’s experiences into the therapeutic process.

About Me

Hello, my name is Pip.

I am a qualified therapist, member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, Cruse Bereavement Support volunteer, and Phoenix Health and Wellbeing volunteer in Leeds. I provide compassionate and expert support to individuals and families facing a range of challenges.

I am honoured and heartfelt that you have reached out to find support. Whether you are feeling overwhelmed by life’s challenges, seeking guidance through transitions, or simply looking for a space to explore your emotions, I’m here to listen and support you every step of the way.

My Experience & Expertise

My journey has been shaped by the diverse and enriching experiences as a Cruse Bereavement volunteer, a mother of special needs children and a Veteran. Each of these roles has given me unique insights and a deep understanding of the complexities and emotional needs that come with loss, special-needs parenting, autism, ADHD, OCD, dyspraxia, and military life. 

Cruise Bereavement Volunteer

My work with Cruse Bereavement Care has equipped me with the skills to support individuals navigating the profound and often overwhelming journey of grief and loss. I lost my father not long ago and received a huge amount of support from Cruse. I hope to provide the same safe space for clients to express their emotions and find pathways to healing.

Parents of Special-Needs Children

As a mother of special needs children, I intimately understand the joys and challenges that come with this role. My personal experience with autism, ADHD and other commodities informs my empathetic and practical approach to counselling, offering tailored support for parents, carers and adults with these conditions. I strive to make counselling sessions accessible, and you are welcome to walk, stretch, move, be off-camera and take breaks.

I invite you to let me know how our time together can lead to a positive experience.

Military Veteran

Serving in the Armed Forces and being married to a serving member for 28 years has given me a firsthand understanding of the unique stresses military personnel and their families face.

I can address issues related to military life, including PTSD, the stress of separation and frequent moves, anxiety, depression, and the transition to civilian life. I am committed to ensuring you receive the care and support you deserve.

Culture and Heritage

Living in various countries has exposed me to different cultural norms, values and practices. This exposure has equipped me to understand and respect my clients’ cultural backgrounds, providing culturally sensitive and appropriate care. I tailor my approach to honour and incorporate a client’s experiences. Working with different cultures has made me more aware of the diverse ways in which people experience and express emotions. I understand that cultural background can influence how individuals perceive and respond to mental health issues. This awareness has helped me, with many clients, create a safe and inclusive space where they feel understood and respected.

Communication Skills

I have enhanced DBS and insurance for working with children and working in a Turkish school supporting special-needs children has strengthened my interpersonal skills. I have learned to communicate effectively across cultural boundaries, building trust and rapport with clients from diverse backgrounds. My international experiences have given me a broader understanding of global issues and their impact on mental health. I am aware of how factors such as immigration, acculturation and global conflict can affect individuals and families.

Why Choose Me?

My commitment to creating a nurturing therapeutic relationship is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves compassionate and personalised care to navigate their unique journey towards well-being. I want to help you develop resilience, encouraging new ways of thinking and behaving.

My collaborative therapeutic relationship with you may be the ideal fit. I am committed to establishing a trusting, confidential, nonjudgmental environment where you can feel secure sharing your thoughts and feelings. Your privacy is my top priority. Life’s challenges can be overwhelming. I offer stability and continuity, ensuring that you have me to turn to during difficult times, helping you navigate life’s ups and downs, and promoting a sense of security and well-being.

I feel my diverse background enables me to connect deeply with my clients, offering empathy and understanding born from my own life experiences. Whether through my work as a bereavement volunteer, my advocacy for special needs, or my service in the military, I am committed to supporting and empowering those facing life challenges.

I firmly believe in the power of active listening and understanding your experiences from your unique perspective. You will have my undivided attention. Active listening goes beyond hearing your words; it’s about comprehending the emotions and meanings behind them. I will validate your feelings, helping you realise it’s perfectly normal to feel like you do. Many clients have shared that validating their emotions helped alleviate feelings of isolation and self-doubt, fostering a sense of acceptance and self-worth.

I approach each session with warmth and compassion. We’ll be able to identify areas you’d like to work on. I will empower you to participate in your therapy actively, ensuring it aligns with your needs and increases your confidence and self-esteem. You can count on me to be there for you throughout your journey.

Volunteering at Phoenix Health and Wellbeing has given me additional experience working with many clients with issues such as:

  • Agoraphobia
  • Addiction
  • Panic attacks
  • Anxiety/health anxieties/shame/guilt
  • Low confidence and self-esteem
  • Abuse, domestic violence and relationship issues
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Needs for identity and direction
  • Menopause
  • Work-related issues

 

My professional training, volunteering, and dedication to continuous learning enable me to provide my clients with person-centred care (a non-directive approach). I help them navigate their challenges and achieve their personal and emotional goals. I aim to be a trusted ally on each client’s journey toward healing, self-discovery, and positive change.

I bring a wealth of experience and empathy, helping individuals struggling with anxiety or seeking to improve their overall well-being and empowering them to manage their anxieties effectively. 

“It’s okay not to be okay. I am here for you”.

Testimonials

“Pip is a very valued member of our team. She has the rare ability to communicate in a gentle but confident way and our clients respond extremely well to her approach. Her communication style really conveys that she is a professional and proficient therapist. Her clients have absolutely bloomed. One client’s journey has been transformational. He has gone from a reserved, and uncertain, participant in counselling to someone who is fully engaged and embracing the journey. Phoenix Health and Wellbeing have benefited hugely from Pips range of expertise. She has provided specialist counselling in the areas of addiction, domestic violence and abuse, trauma, anxiety, and bereavement for a wide range of people of different faiths, cultures and neurodiversity”.

Gill Trevor- Director at Phoenix Health and Wellbeing

Leeds, UK

Contact Pip

I’m here if you’re ready to take the next step towards healing; I’m here to support you on your journey. Reach out to arrange a 20-minute free chat and discover how we can work together. Please also contact me if you have questions about how counselling sessions work or how online and telephone counselling can benefit you. Many clients have explained that having sessions from the comfort of their own safe space has been effective for their growth. I look forward to connecting with you and being your companion on your individual pathway.

All enquiries will be answered within 24 hours. All contact is strictly confidential and uses secure phone and email services.

Prefer To Talk On The Phone?

Phone Number: +44 (0) 300 9365937

Flexible appointment times are available, daytime and evening.

Fees

50-minute session – £50.00

60-minute session – £55.00

(Reduced session costs are available. Please get in touch with me, and I will call to discuss this.)