The Hughes Practice — therapy for real life

Sometimes life feels hard.

I offer support for whatever life brings. Whether you're living with trauma, grief, relationship difficulties or simply feeling stuck, if something's weighing on you, it matters.

Arrange a free call
Anna Hughes, counsellor

Hi, I'm Anna

I'm a qualified therapist offering therapy for, what I refer to as, real life.

Life throws different challenges at us all. And if something is causing you pain and/or unease, then I believe it's worth talking about.

I hear so many people — clients, friends, acquaintances — say that their feelings or issues aren't big enough for therapy.

Or that therapy feels self-indulgent.

Then the shame can creep in. “I should be happy because I have good things going on in my life.” And so the cycle continues.

Therapy can help with that.

I work with people from all walks of life. Maybe you're carrying years of trauma or the pain of bereavement. Maybe you're suffering with anxiety or depression.

Or perhaps you're stuck in the same relationship patterns, going through a breakup, struggling with family dynamics or you're feeling overwhelmed at work.

Whatever brings you here, my aim is to offer a comfortable, safe space where you can feel heard, understood, and accepted. And better able to cope when life feels hard.

If you're curious about how therapy could help, I invite you to book a free, 15-minute introductory call.

This is simply a time to talk, get a feel for how it might be to work together, and decide what's right for you. No pressure to commit, just a chance to test the water.

If after that you want to book a session, we can meet face to face from a beautiful space in Bristol, or online if getting there is tricky.

A bit more about me

My background combines academic study with specialist counselling training. I hold a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, complemented by ongoing professional development and regular clinical supervision.

I'm a BACP Individual Member, which means I work to a professional, ethical framework you can trust.

If you're feeling ready, book your free introductory call today.

Areas of work include (but are not limited to):

Anxiety & worry Low mood & depression Feeling stuck or lost Life changes & transitions Relationships Parenting challenges Self-worth & confidence Grief & loss Becoming an "adult orphan" Stress & burnout Understanding yourself

When we feel genuinely heard and understood,
things can begin to shift.

Therapy can help you make sense of difficult experiences, strengthen your relationship with yourself, and move forward in a way that feels authentic and meaningful.

What you might take from it.

Feel heard and understood.
Support in understanding difficult thoughts, feelings, and patterns.
Build confidence and self-esteem.
Understand yourself better.
Manage stress, anxiety, and overwhelm.
Work through life changes and challenges.
Improve relationships.
Develop trust in yourself and your decisions.

The practical details.

Where

In person in a beautiful space on North Street, Southville, or online by video anywhere in the UK. Find the practice rooms →

Sessions

Sessions last 50-55 minutes and usually take place weekly, at a regular time.

Fees

Sessions are charged at £50.

Getting started

Step 01

Get in touch

Fill in the form — you don't need to go into detail here, just that you'd like to talk.

Step 02

A free 15-minute call

A relaxed, no-pressure phone call to tell me a little about what's bringing you here and ask anything you'd like.

Step 03

Decide what's right

If it feels like a good fit, we'll book a first session. If not, that's completely okay too.

Client reflections.

“

Anna has a wonderful way of making people feel truly understood and cared for. I would not hesitate to recommend her.

— Sally

“

I have experienced Anna to be warm, caring and compassionate. She offered me a safe space to explore my difficulties and walked alongside me with empathy and non-judgement. I would recommend her as a counsellor.

— Rachael

“

Anna provided a warm, safe, and non-judgemental space where I felt truly listened to. Her empathy and genuine care made a real difference, and I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a counsellor.

— Ollie

Frequently asked questions.

Where do sessions take place?
I offer sessions in person from a comfortable private counselling room at 226 North Street, Southville, Bristol BS3 1JD. I also offer online sessions. In addition, I offer 'Walk and Talk' sessions, which take place out in nature. Find out more about Walk and Talk sessions here.
How much does a session cost?
After the free 15 minute introductory call, our first session would begin with some time going over how the therapy works and the details of our contract together, a crucial stage for ensuring a safe and ethical approach to the work as per the BACP Ethical Framework. After this, there is still time left to talk more about you and what has brought you to therapy. All sessions are £50 and last 50-55 minutes.
What happens in the free introductory call?
It's a relaxed, no-pressure phone call of around 15 minutes. It's a chance to tell me a little about what's bringing you to therapy, ask any questions, and get a feel for how it might be to work together. There's no obligation to book afterwards.
How often would we meet, and for how long?
Sessions usually take place weekly, at a regular time. Rather than offering quick fixes, I work at your pace — some people come for a few months, others for longer. We'll review how things are going together, and you're always free to decide what's right for you.
Are you qualified and registered?
Yes. I hold a CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, alongside ongoing professional development and regular clinical supervision. I'm a BACP Individual Member — The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) is one of the UK's largest and most respected professional bodies for counsellors and psychotherapists. This means I work within a recognised professional and ethical framework.
What type of therapy do you offer?
I work using a person-centred approach which means I believe that you are the expert on your own life and experiences. My role is to empower you to discover the answers that are right for you. What may work for me may not be right for you, so rather than giving advice or telling you what to do, I can offer information, support, and a safe space to explore your thoughts and feelings.
What can therapy help with?
People come to me with a wide range of experiences — including anxiety and worry, low mood and depression, stress and burnout, relationship difficulties, grief and loss, life changes and transitions, low self-worth, and simply feeling stuck. You don't need a specific reason to come to therapy.
Is what I share confidential?
Yes. What you share with me is treated as confidential, and I'll explain how confidentiality works — including its rare limits — at the start of our work together. Any details you send through the contact form are only used to respond to your enquiry, as set out in the privacy notice.

Let's arrange that first call.

Fill in the form below and I'll get back to you to find a time for a free 15-minute chat.

Your message is sent to me by email. Please don't include sensitive health details just yet — we can talk those through on the call. I'll only use the details you provide to respond to your enquiry and arrange a call; they're kept confidential, stored securely, never shared with third parties or used for marketing, and you can ask me to delete them at any time. See my privacy notice for more.