Agnes Otzelberger headshot

Agnes Otzelberger

she/her
Psychotherapeutic Counsellor

My practice as an integrative transpersonal therapist is shaped by my experience working on social justice and climate change around the world and understanding the connection between personal wellbeing and the wider systems we are all part of. From personal experience, and from my experience working with people personally and professionally engaged in facing the climate crisis and other crises in the world, I know how painful it is and how much courage it takes to open our hearts and minds to what is happening. The cycles of despair, fear and anger as well as the numbness, apathy and disconnection it can plunge us into can feel absolutely debilitating. A transpersonal approach means that I don't see these struggles as signs that you are broken but as intelligent, vital signals. I know what can really help us live with difficult truths, nourish and resource ourselves and I'm here to support people with that.

Alongside my 1:1 work as a therapist, I am part of the training team at Re-Vision. I have provided training and support on emotional burnout, post-traumatic stress, ecological distress & grief and related issues to organisations in the not-for-profit world, helping professions, activism and beyond.

I qualified as a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor from Re-Vision in London and have worked both in private practice and for counselling services in Sussex and London. I have also trained in compassion-based therapy and social transformation with the Nalanda Institute in New York/Toronto and have spent several years educating myself and others at the intersections of social & environmental change and mental health and wellbeing. My first degree was in political science and I hold an MA in Development Studies from the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex.

I live in Brighton on the South Coast and can offer face-to-face support locally, as well as online sessions worldwide.

Issues I can help with

I have extensive experience and resources to support people who are experiencing climate-, ecology- and polycrisis-related distress, fear, grief, and overwhelm.

A lot of my clients are people who are professionally and/or personally engaged in environmental, social and social justice related causes and experience overwhelm, chronic stress, moral injury, burnout and sometimes PTSD as a result.

For a wider list of issues I can support you with, please visit www.ao-therapy.com/therapy

My way of working

As an integrative practitioner, I combine therapeutic models and tailor them to your own, unique situation. They include Jungian, Gestalt/Humanistic, psychodynamic and nervous-system-based approaches as well as ecopsychology and family systems theory. I balance a warm receptiveness with rigorous reflection and gentle challenge, drawing on my experience working with these different approaches.

I bring a deep understanding of intercultural and migratory life experiences and questions of identity, home and belonging. I work in English and German, and I also have a good grasp of Spanish, French and Italian meaning you can bring these languages into our work together.

I regularly engage in continued professional development. This has included:

  • Working with Neurodiversity
  • Therapy Outdoors in Nature
  • Working alongside Trans, Gender-Diverse and Questioning People
  • Working with Couples
  • Therapeutic Communication Using the Arts
  • Gestalt Therapeutic Practice

Practice details

  • Professional Qualification
    Psychotherapeutic Counsellor
  • Registering Organisation
    UKCP
  • Appointment Type
    In person
    Online
  • Languages Spoken
    German
    English
  • Who I work with
    For Activists, For Anyone affected by the climate crisis, For BIPoC, For Climate professionals, For Disabled people, For LGBTQIA+, For Students
  • Practice Town/City
    Brighton BN2 0GL
  • Geographical Area
    South England
  • Country
    South England
Get in touch with
Agnes Otzelberger

Practitioners on the CPA One-to-one Support Directory offer up to three free sessions to anyone aged 18 or over experiencing eco-related distress. CPA is not a counselling service and is not financially involved with individual practitioners. We simply connect people seeking support with climate-aware professionals.