Welcome

My name is Meriel Whale and I am a counsellor and celebrant based in Lewes, UK

I've been a person-centred and integrative counsellor since 2010, working almost entirely with childless not by choice  individuals and couples, with neurodivergent people and in the LGBTQIA+ community. As you will see from my blog posts, being childless, neurodivergent and queer is also a part of my journey. I affirm and support people of all genders and sexualities.

I’m also a celebrant, offering funerals, weddings and namings to all, including trans+ people wanting to affirm, share and celebrate their new names.

Why counselling and celebrancy?

Both share a desire to fully understand the person or people I’m working with and to craft something unique that will meet need whether that’s for counselling or a ceremony.

Deep listening combined with kindness and with empathy creates a place of safety where you are encouraged to come as you are and find what you really need.

A place where you can be understood. A place where you can be yourself and get support for the person you are and for the life or ceremony that you need. Total acceptance. Skilful understanding. Working in collaboration with you until things feel just right. Helping you seek out the aspects of you and/or your loved ones that are worth celebrating.

You’ll see my realness and can feel safe to bring yours too.

Both as a counsellor and as a celebrant, I’ll create something unique and new for you that meets your needs and affirms your values and your worth, with a deep focus on all you;’ve experienced.

Whether you are seeking counselling or a ceremony, you’ll be fully seen by me as the important, valuable person or people that you are, good enough to be met with compassion, good enough to be celebrated.

What we create together will bring about change and healing – a stepping forward into new life. I’ll be there for you wherever you are and whatever you need.

Empathy, understanding and a loving regard for human beings at every stage of their lives are at the very heart of both counselling and celebrancy.

That’s why I offer both. That’s why I think they complement each other.

Counselling can help with many things, including:

• Anxiety, stress and worry, including about money

• Bereavement, grief and loss of any kind

• Childlessness, miscarriage and infertility

• Depression and feeling low

• Lack of purpose, meaning and contentment in life, feeling life isn't worth living

• Loneliness and isolation

• Life changes and transitions including retirement, divorce, redundancy and menopause

• Illness, disability or chronic health conditions

• Low self esteem, lacking confidence or self worth

• Relationships of all kinds - I work with relationships/couples as well as individuals

• Questions of identity

I offer the following ceremonies:

• Funerals, memorial ceremonies and ashes scattering ceremonies

• Weddings and civil partnerships

• Namings for people of any age from babyhood to adulthood

I am fully inclusive of all identities