I am a BACP-registered trauma-informed counsellor based in Taunton, Somerset.
My name is Samantha, and I want to welcome you to Ember Sky, my counselling therapy practice based in Taunton, Somerset.
Stories are my first love, I have been devouring stories for as long as I can remember. I find people endlessly fascinating and have deep interest in the tiny details of each and everyone's lives, hearing their unique story. Sitting with clients, listening to their stories and helping them rewrite the next chapter is what brings meaning to my counselling practice. Ember Sky was born out of that. Igniting the image of gathering around a fire, in a space of connection and warmth, where our stories can be shared, heard and brought out of the darkness.
Embers are tiny bright lights in the blackness of night. In my practice I strive to create a safe place where your story will be heard, where warmth and comfort can be found, and where we can step out of the darkness and let the embers of hope light up the sky.
My counselling journey started when I became a Samaritan volunteer many years ago, listening to the stories of callers and providing a space for their voices to be heard was more powerful than I could have imagined. I was left with such awe at human resilience, at the ability to endure so much hardships and heartache and keep going, and feeling so devastated to hear the pain when people can't carry on anymore. But listening didn't feel enough, I wanted to be able to offer more, to help find a way to move forwards, a way to process what has happened and to recreate a more fitting story for who we are and who we want to become. This is what brought me to my counselling training.
After training as an integrative counsellor, I worked for Mind, a national mental health charity, supporting adults who were struggling with mental health challenges. Sitting beside them and hearing their stories, I was touched by how many had experienced childhood trauma and how the life-long emotional impacts of these events had shaped who they were today and had led to so many struggles in their lives, shaping how they perceive themselves and others.
Wanting to learn more about the impacts of childhood trauma on adult mental health, I decided to undertake a Master's in Counselling and Psychotherapy with this as my focus point. Researching, studying and learning more about the impacts of early years trauma and attachments helped to deepen my understanding of not only the consequences of such events but also of the power and ability to build a life around them, to change and lessen the impacts and to find hope and resilience in amongst such darkness.
Through my work with Mind, I have had the privilege of not only supporting adults navigating mental health challenges, but also the friends and family members who stand beside them. Mental health difficulties can affect not only the individual but also those who care for them, often shaping their own emotional wellbeing in profound ways. I recognise the weight of these experiences and the importance of finding understanding, guidance, and support. Whether you are facing these challenges yourself or supporting a loved one, help is available. Together, we can explore ways to rebuild, cope, and strengthen resilience, ensuring that no one has to navigate this journey alone.
In our work, we will move at your pace, gently exploring the past while building safety, resilience, and self-compassion in the present. I aim to help you reclaim your voice, reconnect with your inner strength, and rediscover a sense of hope and possibility.
Over the years, I’ve supported many clients through a wide variety of challenges. My goal is to help you find healing, build resilience, and reconnect with the spark that brings meaning and vitality to your life.
Being an integrative counsellor means that I draw on a range of therapeutic approaches incorporating elements of many different modalities to create a personalised and flexible approach that meets your unique needs. This means we can work together in a way that feels right for you, whether you're navigating the effects of trauma, living with a mental health condition, or simply feeling that life isn’t where you want it to be.
Please reach out to me today to arrange a free introductory call, where we can determine if we're a good fit and explore how we can work together to build a path forward.
Adult one-to-one therapy support
I work one-to-one with adults who are navigating a wide range of emotional and psychological challenges, always with a trauma-informed approach. These may include, but are not limited to:
Trauma and PTSD
Anxiety and depression
Low self-esteem or self-worth
Grief and loss
Mental Health concerns (diagnosed and undiagnosed)
Relationship difficulties
Recovering from Domestic Abuse
Work-related stress
Life transitions or identity issues
Feeling stuck or disconnected from life
Personal growth and development
Together, we’ll explore what’s going on for you, at your pace, and in a way that feels supportive and empowering. Drawing on a range of therapeutic approaches, I can tailor-make the best support to give you space to explore your own feelings at a pace that works for you.
You may not know what you are looking for or what help and support you need; sometimes, having a space to talk purely for yourself can help you find your own way forwards.
Support for Parents and Caregivers
Parenting a child who has experienced abuse or is struggling with their mental health can be an overwhelming and isolating experience. I offer a supportive, trauma-informed space for parents and caregivers to explore their own emotional responses, gain insight into their child’s needs, and develop tools to navigate these complex challenges with compassion and confidence.
I work with parents of both young and adult children. Even when children grow up, their challenges and experiences still impact and affect those who love them.
In our work together, we can explore ways to support your child while also attending to your own well-being. Whether you're feeling helpless, anxious, or unsure of how best to respond, I’m here to walk alongside you, offering guidance, emotional support, and a non-judgmental space to process your experiences.
My approach is informed by recent studies and research into childhood trauma, attachment, and family dynamics, offering you guidance and support grounded in both empathy and evidence.
When someone we love is struggling, it can be challenging to know how best to support them, but it can also be difficult to find the right balance of support for ourselves so we can be there for them. We tend to focus on the person affected without consideration for the impacts these events may have on ourselves. It is not selfish to look after yourself; it is vital to enable us to look after others.
Childhood Trauma and Abuse
Supporting adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse is a deeply meaningful part of my work. Over the past few years, I have dedicated significant time to studying and researching this area, deepening my understanding and enhancing the support I offer. Helping me to create a space that is both safe and empowering.
I recognise that early experiences of abuse or neglect can leave lasting emotional and psychological impacts, often influencing how we relate to ourselves, others, and the world around us. In our sessions, we will work gently and collaboratively, always at your pace, to explore your story, build emotional safety, and reconnect with your inner resilience.
I aim to support you in reclaiming your voice, fostering self-compassion, and moving toward a life that feels more grounded, hopeful, and whole. With a trauma-informed approach, I offer a space of psychological safety—a steady light in the darkness—where you can heal, rebuild, and grow at your own pace. No matter where you are in your journey, you are not alone, and together we can find the warmth, clarity, and resilience to move forward.
Whether you feel ready to talk about past experiences, are unsure of what to say, or prefer not to share at this time, all responses are valid and completely understandable. There is no expectation or pressure to disclose anything. Together, we can focus on the present and navigate its impacts, and if the time ever feels right, we can explore more at a pace that feels comfortable for you.
Contact Me
Interested in working together? Fill out some info, and I will be in touch shortly.