'Peace Counselling', is a new company launching in Winchester.

Founders Kellie Stanness Witcher and Will Doran have much in common. They have both married partners from or with close connections to Winchester. They have both taught in schools, colleges and universities around the UK and abroad, covering such subjects as Art, Drama, Theology Philosophy and Classics.

But perhaps most poignant to this story is that they have both returned to studying, retrained and become established professional counsellors. Having successfully worked with clients from around Hampshire and further afield, (via online sessions) both have now come together to create something new.

Peace Counselling is a new venture in which both Kellie and Will are seeking to establish their particular brand of counselling.

When asked what was special about Peace Counselling, Will replied. ‘Everyone needs support at different points in their lives, support with low mood, anxiety, loss, isolation or perhaps they wish to make changes to their behaviours or the way they think.

Peace Counselling is about supporting people in addressing their difficulties, working through them and sometimes that may mean making changes. Peace Counselling aims to support individuals in addressing difficulties and making changes in a positive, empowering framework’.

Primarily, Kellie and Will are operating as accredited professional counsellors in Winchester at locations in Fulflood and Harestock. They are working together to provide empowering support and clinical excellence in the therapy they undertake.

 However, they are also seeking to expand in their understanding and expression of their work. Kellie said: "In all that we do we must be mindful that in front of me sits a human being who has been brave enough to reach out for support. This is always the most important step of the journey. We don’t pretend to have all the answers to all the questions out there. However, we will journey with you and together we can seek, understand and facilitate an acceptance or a change. This is our privilege as counsellors". 

When asked if they have plans to expand the company, Will said: "Giving everyone who sits with either of us in the room or who is online with one of us, the very best of all that we have learned and practised is the most important aspect of what we do.

"As the demand grows we would willingly take on trainees and perhaps counsellors, psychotherapists, coaches as is needed, but no matter how busy the practice becomes, the most important ingredients in the whole venture are and must always remain compassion, support and clinical excellence for our clients."                                            

Peace counselling is currently taking on new clients.