Ivy Practice

About Me

Therapy in Bristol & Online

People come to therapy for many different reasons — sometimes to ease distress in the present, sometimes to make sense of past experiences, or to explore new possibilities for the future. I offer a safe, supportive space to reflect on what feels difficult, to understand yourself more deeply, and to find ways of responding that feel more aligned with the life you want to lead.

Sessions are available in person at my therapy space in Clifton, Bristol, or online.

How I Work

My approach is rooted in Gestalt therapy, with a focus on raising awareness of how we relate to ourselves, others, and our environment. I also draw on parts-based work, exploring the different aspects of self that may carry conflicting needs or protective roles. Together we can explore patterns that may no longer serve you, opening up more choice and supporting greater self-understanding, resilience, and agency.

Over the years I’ve supported people through a wide range of experiences, including:

Depression, anxiety, OCD, and substance use
Hormonal and reproductive health issues such as PMDD, fertility, pregnancy, peri-menopause and menopause, and perinatal or post-natal mental health
Trauma, including PTSD, CPTSD, relational trauma, sexual abuse, domestic violence, and childhood sexual abuse
Identity and difference, including gender, sexual and relationship diversity (GSRD), neurodivergence, and high sensitivity (HSP)
Living with health challenges
Bereavement and loss
Life transitions such as becoming a parent, career changes, migration, being forced to leave your country, or the experience of families being scattered across the world (sometimes described as diaspora)
Relationship issues, including partners, family members, friendships, chosen family, business or professional partners, or other important connections — welcoming all forms of relationships and ways of relating

Whether in individual or couples and relationship therapy, my approach is:

Relational – exploring not only what happens inside you, but also what happens between us in the therapy room.
Experiential – not just talking, but noticing, experimenting, and trying out new ways of being.
Compassionate – making space for all aspects of you, including the parts that may feel hidden, critical, or difficult.

People often find that through this process they:

Feel more at ease with themselves
Discover greater self-compassion
Understand and shift patterns that may no longer serve them
Improve relationships with themselves and others
Experience a stronger sense of agency, choice, and wholeness

Qualifications

Diploma in Supervision(individual and group)
MA in Gestalt Psychotherapy(adult individual and group)
Postgraduate Diploma in Gestalt Psychotherapy(adult individual and group)
Postgraduate Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling with Adolescents
Postgraduate Diploma in the Therapeutic and Educational Application of the Arts
CCTP-II (Certified Clinical Trauma Professional – Level II)
Foundation of Infant Loss Pregnancy and Infant Loss - Infertility and Rainbow Baby Specialist

I’m Hazel Cawood (she/her), a fully qualified and accredited Gestalt Psychotherapist, Integrative Counsellor, and Supervisor with 14 years' experience in schools, charities, and private practice. I am accredited with the UKCP, registered with the BACP, and hold full professional indemnity insurance and an enhanced DBS certificate.

Life Transitions

Life changes can touch us deeply, sometimes bringing hope and growth, and at other times loss and disorientation. Bereavement, becoming a parent, or changes in career and family life can stir up powerful emotions. Migration and displacement — whether moving through choice, circumstance, or necessity, or experiencing the absence of loved ones and families living far apart — can bring with them a mix of grief, longing, and complex feelings. I offer therapy in person and online to help you make sense of these transitions, honour both the pain and the strength within them, and find steadier ground in the present.

Couple and Relationship Therapy

I offer relationship therapy to support people in exploring patterns of relating, strengthening communication, and navigating difficulties in ways that feel more supportive and authentic. Relationships are diverse and can take many forms — including, but not limited to, romantic, sexual, platonic, familial, chosen family, friendships, professional or creative partnerships. This work makes space for all of these, and I welcome people of all genders, sexualities, and relationship styles.

Supervision

As a UKCP-approved supervisor, I offer supervision for counsellors, psychotherapists, and other professionals in the helping professions. My training is in both individual and group supervision, and I hold a Diploma in Supervision.

I see supervision as a collaborative, reflective process where we pay attention not only to your client work but also to your experience as a practitioner. Together we can explore what emerges in the therapeutic relationship, notice patterns, and consider both the clinical and ethical dimensions of your work.

My approach is grounded in Gestalt principles — being present, curious, and attentive to what arises in the here-and-now. I draw on the Seven-Eyed Model of supervision and Relational Matrix Model of supervision to integrate the different layers of the work, including your relationship with clients, your professional context, and your own process as a therapist.

Supervision can be a space to:

Develop your clinical skills and confidence
Reflect on dynamics in the therapeutic relationship
Explore your responses, countertransference, and self-care
Consider ethical issues and professional boundaries
Support your ongoing growth and identity as a practitioner

I aim to create a supervision relationship that feels supportive, challenging, and respectful — a space where you can feel both held and stretched in your professional development.

The fee for individual supervision is £70.

Contact and Fee Information

Contact

If you’re wondering whether therapy with me might be the right fit, I’d love to hear from you.

Reach out for a quick chat or to book an initial session at either 07402 078 852 or enquiries@ivypractice.co.uk, with a couple of lines about what you might want to work on together. Please include your mobile number if you're happy to have me contact you by text.

NB - I respond to all enquiries so please check your Spam folder if you don't see a response in your inbox within 48 hours.

How to Get Here

The therapy room is in Clifton, just a 2-minute walk from Clifton Down train station, with a station car park right next door. Several bus routes stop nearby, and there is metered on-street parking as well as additional car parks within a short walk.

Accessibility

My office is located on the second floor and is accessible by stairs only. For anyone who may find this difficult or would prefer not to meet in person, I also offer sessions online via Zoom.

Fees

My fee for self-paying individuals is £70 per session, and £90 for relationship therapy sessions. The initial session is offered at a reduced rate of £60 for individuals and £80 for relationship therapy.

I also accept Aviva, AXA, and WPA insurance. The fee for insurance clients is £85. If you’d like to use your insurance, please let me know, and we can discuss how this works.

FAQ

Length and frequency: Sessions last 50 minutes and usually take place weekly, at the same time each week

How many sessions will I need? This depends on your needs. Some people come for a few weeks, others longer. We’ll regularly review our work to make sure it continues to support you.

What should I expect in the first session? The initial session is an opportunity to meet, ask questions, and talk about what brings you here. By the end you’ll have a sense of how we might work together and whether this therapy feels right for you.

What is the difference between counselling and psychotherapy? Counselling and psychotherapy share many similarities. Counselling often focuses on support through a specific or shorter-term difficulty. Psychotherapy usually goes deeper and takes place over a longer period, exploring the patterns that shape your life and relationships. As both a counsellor and psychotherapist, I can support you in the way that best fits your needs. If you’re unsure which is right for you, we can talk this through in our first session.