Hello, I’m Davina Hanlon
Welcome to Room To Be You
I’m really glad you’ve found your way here.
Taking that first step toward seeking emotional support and healing can feel daunting. Whether you’re navigating a difficult point in your life, seeking deeper self-understanding, or looking for a way to safely explore painful emotions, I’m here to offer a confidential, non-judgemental, and welcoming space.
Meet Barney!
You’ll see Barney - my much-loved, fluffy co-therapist (in spirit and in my heart!) - featured across my website. As a dedicated dog lover, I find that the relationship we share with our pets embodies so much of what I strive to create in therapy: unconditional acceptance, authentic presence, and the freedom to be completely yourself.
While Barney won’t be physically present during our sessions, his gentle, grounding energy inspires the whole ethos of my practice (and he is a huge champion of Walk & Talk therapy!). He is a constant reminder that some of the greatest healing comes from simply being accepted, exactly as you are.
I look forward to offering you the Room To Be You.
My Story
Grounded in the Scottish Landscape
My lifelong commitment to well-being began in the green open spaces of rural Scotland, where I grew up on remote hill farms. My dad was a shepherd very much in tune with the land - crafting walking sticks from horn and hazel, building traditional stone walls, and playing tunes on his favourite accordion. He still plays the tunes!
Days were filled with feeding lambs in the spring, peeling potatoes, and mucking out byres before and after school. This early connection to responsibility, nature, and the landscape gave me strong roots - foundations on which I’ve built my own life and continue to show up today as resilience, groundedness, creativity and a deep connection to nature and others.
From Community Health to Individual Focus
Inspired by my roots, I went on to study biology in Edinburgh before moving to the North West of England, where I spent a large part of my career in Public Health within the NHS. Championing community well-being and tackling health inequalities was deeply rewarding, but over time, it sparked a growing curiosity for a different kind of connection - one focused on what makes us uniquely human on an individual level. This led to a conscious career shift and a Master's Degree in Psychotherapy and Counselling, which integrated Creative Approaches. I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) - Registration number: 415625. Find me here.
Tapping into my own creativity brought me back to how I’ve often expressed emotions - whether through poetry, writing a farewell letter to my lost cat, to capturing the detail of the small stuff in photographs. Expressive therapy isn't about creating "art" or worrying about an end product. It's about the process: the noticing, the feeling, the unfolding, and the flow. You’ll see the photo of the colourful pebbles on my home page - I captured this on a visit to St Columba’s Bay on the Isle of Iona spending hours completely immersed in the treasure trove of colours, textures and shapes.
You'll find more of my photographs and creative expressions shared across this site and in my gallery as well as practice updates on Instagram. (Note - I never post or share any client work, this remains strictly confidential).
How I Work Today
My public health background gives me a deep understanding of how our surroundings - our upbringing, culture, relationships, work situation, housing, and life stresses - shape our physical and mental well-being. By considering the full picture of your life, we can look at what you're carrying with true context and self-compassion. In a nutshell, I work with you as a person, not as a condition.
A Trauma-Informed, Holistic Approach
I work through a trauma-informed lens, prioritising your safety, choice, and pace above all else. I view the challenges you face not as personal "failings," but as understandable responses to difficult life experiences and events.
Alongside my private practice, I remain deeply connected to community therapy. I serve as a freelance therapist providing trauma-informed counselling at Chorley Women’s Centre for women navigating hardship and domestic abuse, as well as supporting clients of all ages and backgrounds via NHS Talking Therapies referrals with a provider in West Lancashire.
Taking the First Step
All of these threads - my rural roots and public health foundation, and my therapeutic experience - come together in how I work today. I offer a calm, non-judgemental space where you can slow down, process what you're experiencing, and reconnect with yourself at your own pace.
Starting therapy is a courageous step, but you don't have to figure it all out right away. If you’d like to see how it feels to work together, I invite you to get in touch for an informal chat or a visit to my therapy room at Cedar Farm. I’d love to hear from you.
