Ren Bateson
MA, MBACP (Accred)

Welcome
I am glad you have found your way here. I chose the word estuary for my psychotherapy and counselling practice because it links the place where I live with aspects of how I think about my therapeutic work. An estuary creates a unique eco-system, a place where plants and animals can thrive in changing conditions. It is a place of growth and a place of transition, where water from a river and the sea meet as part of their journey. I often think this is what talking therapy can be like. Our words meet and interact. Something new can emerge.

A space to breathe
Near the estuary there is a marina, which is home to many different boats. It is a place where they can rest and repair before heading back out to sea. It is a place of light, space and air. A space to breathe, a place to reflect and recuperate. A place to heal. I think symbols are important. They provide meaning and can help us look deeper if we want to. We don’t have to. We can just tell our story. Sometimes that is all we need. 

​​Change
The tidal range here is the second highest in the world. Twice a day, it recedes and reveals what is beneath and then hides it again under many metres of water. There is a regular ebb and flow, a constant movement underpinning life. If you look left, you can see out to sea. If you look right, you see the outline of Avonmouth's industry - chemistry, cranes and containers. There is contrast. Sometimes, change can come with a different view.