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Introduction
Dan Hillyer
BACP Registered Integrative Counsellor
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Counselling that helps you understand yourself and move forward.
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Life doesn't always go as we expect. Sometimes we find ourselves feeling overwhelmed, anxious, low in mood or simply stuck, without fully understanding why.
You might be dealing with stress at work, difficulties in your relationships, low self-esteem or experiences from the past that are still affecting how you feel today. Perhaps you're the person everyone else sees as coping, while privately you're finding things increasingly difficult.
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Whatever has brought you here, you don't need to have everything worked out before asking for support.
I'm Dan, a qualified integrative counsellor based in Plymouth and a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
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I offer a supportive, compassionate and non-judgemental space where you can talk openly, explore what's happening in your life and begin to understand yourself more fully.
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Counselling in Plymouth
I offer a supportive, compassionate and non-judgemental space where you can talk openly, explore what's happening in your life and begin to understand yourself more fully.
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How I can help you
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I work with adults experiencing a range of emotional and psychological difficulties, including:
Anxiety, worry and overthinking
Depression and low mood
Stress and feeling overwhelmed
Low self-esteem and lack of confidence
Grief, loss and bereavement
Health anxiety
Relationship and communication difficulties
The emotional imapct of trauma
Self-criticism and blame
Confidence and identity
Life transitions
Stress linked to work, education or family life
University pressures
My approach to counselling.
You may have a specific difficulty you'd like help with, or you might simply know that something doesn't feel right.
We can start wherever you are.
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My approach to counselling
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I'm trained in Person-Centred Therapy, Gestalt Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which I bring together within an integrative counselling approach.
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This means I don't believe that one type of therapy is right for everyone. We can explore what works best for you, your circumstances and what you'd like to achieve.
Person-Centred Therapy is at the heart of how I work. I believe that being listened to, understood and accepted without judgement can help create the conditions for meaningful personal change.
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I also draw on Gestalt Therapy to help you develop awareness of your thoughts, feelings and patterns of behaviour, particularly how these influence your experiences and relationships.
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CBT approaches can help us explore connections between thoughts, emotions and behaviours, and consider practical ways of responding differently to difficulties.
Our work will be collaborative and guided by your needs. Some people prefer clear goals and a structured approach, while others benefit from having the freedom to explore things as they arise.
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There is no expectation for you to have all the answers, and no pressure to move faster than feels comfortable.
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Supporting university students and young adults
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I have a particular interest in counselling university students and people navigating the changes and pressures that can come with higher education.
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University can be exciting, but it can also be challenging. Academic expectations, relationships, financial pressures, independence and uncertainty about the future can all affect emotional wellbeing.
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You might be struggling with anxiety about your studies, confidence, motivation, loneliness or the pressure to keep up with everyone around you.
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I've worked with clients in higher education throughout my counselling training and since qualifying, and I understand that each person's experience is different.
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My aim is to help you make sense of what's happening, develop greater confidence in yourself and find ways to manage the challenges you're facing.
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Dan's Background
My professional background
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Before becoming a counsellor, I worked as a nurse in the NHS and later moved into Human Resources within a university, where I spent 25 years.
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These experiences have given me valuable insight into the pressures people experience in their professional and personal lives, including workplace relationships, stress, responsibility and periods of change.
They've also helped shape my understanding
of how emotional wellbeing can be affected by our physical health, working environment, relationships and life experiences.
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I bring this experience into my counselling work, alongside my professional training and commitment to providing thoughtful, individual support.
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Taking the first step
I understand that reaching out for counselling can feel difficult, particularly if you've never spoken to a therapist before.
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You don't need to know exactly what to say or where to begin.
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I offer a free 20-minute introductory conversation so we can briefly discuss what has brought you to counselling, what you're hoping for and whether working together feels right.
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If you're looking for counselling in Plymouth and would like to explore how I might support you, I'd welcome the opportunity to speak with you.
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Get in touch with Horizon Connect to arrange an introductory conversation with Dan.
Areas I Commonly Help With
As a counsellor in Plymouth, I commonly support clients with:
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Appointments Available
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Anxiety, worry and overthinking
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Depression and low mood
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Stress and feeling overwhelmed
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Low self-esteem and lack of confidence
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Grief, loss and bereavement
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Health anxiety
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Relationship and communication difficulties
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The emotional impact of trauma
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Workplace stress and personal challenges
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University pressures, life transitions and uncertainty about the future
About Horizon Connect
Horizon Connect was created to make accessing therapy support feel clearer, more supportive and less overwhelming.
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Rather than leaving people to search through endless therapist profiles alone, Horizon Connect helps guide individuals towards a therapist suited to their needs, preferences and circumstances.
