About - ISC Counselling Hereford

About Me

My name is Russ Whistance. I am a trained professional counsellor and a registered member of the British Association of Counsellor and Psychotherapists (The governing and regulatory board for counsellors).

I am the founder and principle practitioner of ISC Counselling. I live on my family’s farm in Garway, Herefordshire, where I help raise sheep, cattle and other crops. It is a beautiful place, over looking the Welsh Border, with hills, woodlands, rivers, wildlife and castles. I want to use my training and the tranquil setting to help people with varying issues, by offering a place of refuge and transformation.

It is so easy to be trapped and swept along in the pace and confusion of modern life. I want to help people be themselves and grow. I believe that people have to firstly be theirselves before they can be the best that they can be. This involves self awareness and self understanding, as well as overcoming certain issues. I also think that being the best that we can be enables us to be more resilient to the challenges that every day life throws at us.

I can testify to this because I received counselling in my early twenties, which led to me understanding myself better, and enabled me to take better decision in all aspects of my life.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me

Actively Listening So Together We Can Make Change

Russell Whistance

BSC MA MBACP - ISC Counselling

Contact Me

What I do

See how I can help you and undserstand you

Safe Space

in a safe space and through questions and active listening I build up a better picture and understanding of each individual client. To help me do this I use three core conditions of empathy, positive support and authenticity. Through this process and over time a client counsellor relationship can be formed, where clients can be open, vulnerable, authentic and reflective, which enables progressively more understanding, insights and self awareness.

Peaceful Location

The work space is located on my farm in Garway, Herefordshire. It is a beautiful part of the world, with stunning views and natural surroundings. Part of the farm house dates from the 1600s. All efforts are made for the space to be comfortable, secure and tranquil. I also offer walk and talk therapies, around the farmland, which includes; streams, meadows and woodlands. There is 200 acres of common land that is next to the farm. This has phenomenal scenery of the hills and rivers along the English Welsh Border. I believe that there is something about being outside in nature, which helps ground, feel supported and put into context, when it is so easy to be caught up in the difficulties of life.

Confidential Counselling

The space I use is safe and confidential. I use question and listening skills as well as using softer approaches of empathy, positive support and my own authenticity to get to know the client and their concerns. I will also use other approaches to gain understanding of passed events, and cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) to build self awareness and if necessary build specific strategies for future implementation.