Meet the Therapist: Toni Woods
Toni Woods is an online counsellor
What attracted you to become a therapist?
What attracted me to become a therapist was the amount of trauma I personally experienced growing up. I also suffered with a lot of anxiety and panic, and I didn’t know who to turn to. I never want someone to experience these things alone.
Where did you train?
I trained with Lead Academy. I also managed a 25 client programme for all mental health conditions and addiction with drug and alcohol charity The Forward Trust.
What type of therapy do you offer?
I specialise in anxiety disorders including health anxiety, general anxiety, social anxiety, OCD and panic attacks. I also work with depression, self-esteem, communication skills, and addiction.
What client groups do you work with?
I work with adults only.
What trends have you noticed in the area of mental health, thinking more broadly?
Recently I have noticed a huge increase in anxiety.
What do you like about being a therapist?
I love my job as a therapist. Watching my clients understand why they are feeling the way they do and using the tools I provide means so much to me. I understand what it’s like to be stuck in a cycle of fear and helping others is my passion.
What's less pleasant?
Unwanted calls from people who have no interest in therapy isn’t nice.
How long have you been with Welldoing and what do you think of us?
I love being with Welldoing, the online booking process is amazing (not many other platforms have this option). The people I have spoken with are all lovely. Their system focuses on matching you with clients who specifically need what you offer, so no time wasters and I love this.
What do you do for your own mental health?
I have a good supervisor, but I also stick to my routine of meditation and self-soothing. I love to go to the gym and I love long walks.
You are an online therapist. What can you tell us about working in this way?
I work remotely, and specialise mainly in anxiety disorders and panic. I work very closely with clients giving them weekly tasks to overcome their fear of anxiety, and help reduce the panic attacks.
What do you wish people knew about therapy?
I wish people were more open to therapy and accepting help so they don’t carry on struggling alone.
What did you learn about yourself in therapy?
I’ve learnt so much about myself in therapy, mainly that helping others gives me so much more confidence than I originally thought it would.
