My name is Amy Swainston and I am a Middlesbrough-based therapist providing online counselling and EMDR psychotherapy throughout the UK.
I specialise in helping
people like you overcome anxiety and regain calm and confidence in their lives.
Welcome to Avanti Counselling &Psychotherapy
YOU'RE HERE BECAUSE...
You are a busy person juggling lots of “life things.” Work, Work Related Stress, Children, Relationship, Friendships and everything in between. It can all become too much and we can struggle to feel like we are doing "just enough” at one thing, but never all of them and we can feel like we are failing.
Do you feel on egg shells, a sense of dread or like there is an elephant sat on your chest? Do you struggle to switch off at night and find yourself lying awake worrying about the day gone by and the day which is yet to come? Are you exhausted from the over thinking and lack of sleep?
I see you and I can help you.
I'M HERE BECAUSE...
I specialise in supporting people who experience anxiety—whether it feels like constant worry, overwhelming stress, panic, or a sense of being stuck. Anxiety can show up in many ways, and it often leaves us feeling isolated or exhausted. Anxiety can feel like racing thoughts, or the worry that never seems to switch off and it can hold you back from living the life you want. You are not alone in this, and reaching out for support is a brave and important first step.
I provide a safe and compassionate space where you can begin
to understand your experience, develop practical tools to manage anxiety, and
reconnect with a sense of calm and confidence. Together, we will work at a pace that feels right for you, focusing on both relief in the present and lasting
change for the future. With the right support, it is possible to feel lighter, more confident, and more like you again.
ABOUT ME...
I know first-hand how difficult living with anxiety can be.
The racing thoughts, the constant “what ifs,” and the feeling of being stuck or
overwhelmed — I’ve been there too. My personal experience has shaped not only who I am, but also how I support the people I work with. Because I’ve walked that path myself, I understand that anxiety isn’t “just worrying too much.” It can affect your mind, your body, your relationships, and your sense of peace. Here, your feelings are valid and welcome.
WORK WITH ME...
Therapy isn’t about “getting rid” of anxiety overnight — it is building tools and self-understanding.
Imagine a life where anxiety no longer controls your life.
With support from me, many people have found that they can quiet the constant worries, ease the physical tensions, and feel more present and free in their everyday lives.
Together, we will identify the root cause of your anxiety and how and why it got there. Creating awareness of when anxiety began is key to beginning to understand yourself and your process. You will learn gentle ways to calm your mind and body, and discover tools that can help you. You deserve to feel grounded and at ease.
I provide psychological support to Middlesbrough FC Academy and First Team players. I also deliver tailored training to players and staff from my workshop programme to educate and create awareness on mental health and how it impacts physical health and performance.
I am an Associate Trainer for Teesside Mind as part of the Workplace Wellbeing programme. I deliver bespoke training to organisations across the Tees Valley from a multitude of sectors on topics such as Managing Mental Health in the Workplace, Resilience and Suicide.
I have extensive occupational health experience, particularly within the blue light sector, with a deep understanding of the trauma associated with those roles and how they can negatively impact a persons mental health.
What is EMDR?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a comprehensive psychotherapy that helps you process and recover from past experiences that are affecting your mental health and wellbeing. It involves using side to side eye movements combined with talk therapy in a specific and structured format. EMDR helps process the negative images, emotions, beliefs and body sensations associated with traumatic memories that seem to be stuck. These can contribute to a range of mental health problems.
EMDR helps you to see things from a different perspective and relieves the symptoms that you were suffering. EMDR was developed for therapy for treating trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It’s recognised by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a treatment for PTSD, but it can be used to help with a range of mental health difficulties including anxiety, depression, addictions, behavioural difficulties and relationship issues. If you are interested in receiving EMDR therapy, please get in touch.
What issues can counselling & EMDR help with?
People come to me for help a wide range of issues. Here are a few of the more common difficulties that can be supported through therapy:
Depression
Low confidence or self-esteem
Anger management
Sexuality
Work related stress
Family difficulties
Stress
Health anxiety
Anxiety
Panic attacks
Relationship issues
Grief, loss or bereavement
Addictive behaviours
PTSD
Domestic Abuse
Fees & availability
Each session last for 50 minutes at £50 per session. I am available Tues-Fri 9-5pm via Teams. If these time are not suitable for you, please let me know, I can be flexible.
I do not offer face to face sessions.
My Qualifications
- EMDR Practitioner
- CPCAB Level 5 CBT
- Accredited member of British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy
- Fda Counselling
- Accredited Mental Health First Aid Trainer
- BUPA, Nuffield Health, Axa, Aviva, Vitality, Allianz & WPA approved
- Safeguarding Adults Level 3
- Safeguarding Children Level 3
- Enhanced DBS Certificate
- Full Insurance
- British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy Certificate of Proficiency
- Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling
- Neurodiversity in the workplace
- Dissociation & Trauma Part 1 & 2
Get in touch
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how I approach my work, or to arrange an initial appointment. I am happy to answer any of the questions or queries you may have prior to arranging an initial appointment and offer a free 15 minute telephone call if you would like to discuss further. This allows us to look at the reasons you are thinking of coming to therapy, whether it could be helpful for you and if I am the right therapist to help you.
You can also call me on 07514 779 400. I have a confidential voicemail service that is only accessed by me. Please feel free to leave me a message if I have not answered. I will get back to you as soon as I can.
“When I started my journey with Amy it was my last hope, now I can see a life for myself and have a desire to live & love the life I have!
Therapy is hard work, but Amy did an amazing job of navigating and supporting me through it. She did truly save and give me my life back and for that I will always be grateful to her, I can’t recommend Amy enough!"
Male, 45 years old. Dec 2024
"It helped to talk openly to someone who doesn't know me. It was like an empty page to write in and not be or feel judged. Amy affirmed my thoughts and feelings. Our sessions have been my safe place."
Male, 25 years old. October 2024.