Petina Walker, BACP

Petina Walker is an experienced counsellor based in Devon, UK, who brings an integrative, client-led approach to therapeutic work. She is an Ambassador for Betterhelp and an Advanced Integrative Therapeutic Counsellor, and she is a member of the BACP - the professional body for counselling and psychotherapy in the UK. Her practice combines practical, solution-focused methods with an intuitive, trauma-aware perspective to help people find clarity and meaningful change.

With a background that includes work as a counsellor, trainer and drugs and alcohol professional, Petina has substantial experience facilitating groups, delivering treatment programmes, triaging clients and providing one-to-one online interventions. She has worked as a senior member of a local Clinical Assessments & Brief Interventions Team within a drugs and alcohol service, and she has spent many years developing private practice and clinical skills. Petina trained at The Iron Mill Institute in Exeter and qualified in 2008.

Petina’s therapeutic style is adaptable and tailored to what each person brings to a session. She draws on Transactional Analysis as an underpinning framework and primarily practises Solution-Focused and intuitive methods, while also integrating CBT techniques, NLP and mindfulness strategies as appropriate. Her specialties include addictions and dependency issues, anxiety, stress and anger management, relationship difficulties - particularly codependency - trauma and the connections between stress, trauma and addictive behaviours.

She has worked across many life challenges, supporting people with bereavement, depression, identity and self-esteem concerns, post-traumatic stress, eating and sleep difficulties, parenting and family issues, intimacy and sexual health matters, career challenges and compassion fatigue. Petina previously ran a wellbeing centre in Exeter for 21 years, an enterprise recognised with a Best Small Business Award for its service quality and standards of care. That experience, combined with a long history as a beauty therapist supporting clients through major life events, informs her sensitive, tuned-in listening and empathic approach.

Petina places high value on providing an efficient, respectful service where people feel heard and held. She continues to invest in professional and personal development and intends to write about her integrative approach to supporting people with addiction and codependency. Her work is client-led and tailored session by session to meet changing needs.