Meet the Team
About Hayley
Hayley is the founder of The Ridge Practice, which she established in 2020 to create a warm, professional and confidential space for counselling and psychotherapy. As a person-centred counsellor, she works with adults aged 18 and over, supporting people through a wide range of emotional and life challenges.
A Person-Centred Approach
Hayley has over 14 years’ experience supporting individuals and families within the private mental health sector. Her person-centred approach is grounded in the belief that you are the expert in your own experience.
She offers a safe, non-judgemental space where you can explore your thoughts, feelings and experiences at your own pace. Rather than directing the process, Hayley works alongside you, helping you develop greater self-understanding and find ways forward that feel meaningful to you.
Bereavement
Grief can affect every part of life, and there is no single or ‘right’ way to experience it. Hayley has experience providing bereavement support and offers a compassionate space to talk openly about loss and the emotions that can come with it.
Bereavement counselling is not about trying to ‘move on’ from someone you have lost. It can offer space to process what has happened, understand how your loss is affecting you, and gradually find ways to live alongside your grief.
Eco-Therapy
Hayley also offers Eco-therapy, or Walk & Talk Therapy, in the beautiful surroundings of Bledlow Ridge and the Chiltern countryside.
For some people, walking side-by-side can feel more natural and less intense than sitting face-to-face in a therapy room. Being outdoors can also provide a calming and restorative environment, creating space to talk, reflect and explore what is happening in your life.
Hayley Vaughan-Smith
FOUNDER, & THERAPEUTIC COUNSELLOR
Qualified Therapeutic Counsellor Ad. Dip. Psy C. (MNCS Accred)
Therapeutic Approaches:
Person-Centred
Humanistic
Intergrative
Low Intensity CBT
Mindfulness
Gestalt
Availability:
Monday - Wednesday
9am - 8pm
Fees:
£60 Counselling Session
About Matt
Matt Winter brings over 15 years' experience supporting individuals, young people and couples through a wide range of emotional and psychological challenges.
He offers a calm, confidential and compassionate space where clients can collaboratively explore their thoughts, feelings and experiences, helping them develop greater self-understanding, resilience and lasting change.
A Psychodynamic Approach
Matt works from a psychodynamic perspective, helping clients understand the underlying experiences, relationships and patterns that may be influencing how they feel today.
Recognising that every person's journey is unique, therapy doesn't always begin and end in the same place. As understanding develops, therapy can naturally evolve, adapting to each client's changing needs and supporting long-term growth.
Working with Young People
Matt works with young people aged 12 and over, providing a safe and supportive environment to explore life's challenges.
Whether navigating anxiety, low self-esteem, family relationships or school pressures, he works alongside each young person to help them better understand their emotions and build confidence for the future.
Couples Therapy
Matt works with both individuals and couples, supporting clients through relationship difficulties, anxiety, depression, stress, bereavement and significant life changes.
Couples therapy begins with both partners attending together. Following the initial sessions, Matt will often meet with each partner individually to better understand their personal experiences and perspectives before continuing the therapeutic work together as a couple. This approach can help deepen understanding and support more meaningful progress within the relationship.
Matt Winter
Psychotherapist MSc Reg. MBACP
ASSOCIATE PSYCHOTHERAPIST
Therapeutic Approaches:
CBT
Integrative
Person-Centred
Psychoanalytic
Psychodynamic
Availability:
Thursday - Friday
9:00am - 8pm
Fees:
£90 Psychotherapy Session
£150 Couples Therapy