What are the opening hours?

Monday 10am - 10pm Tuesday 10am - 10pm Wednesday 10am - 10pm Thursday 10am - 10pm Friday 10am - 10pm

Toad Counselling Ltd

Home
United Kingdom
Bideford
Toad Counselling Ltd

"It's your place in the world; it's your life. Go on and do all you can with it, and make it the life you want to live."

- Mae Jemison

Welcome to Toad Counselling, where our mission is to provide compassionate and effective therapeutic support to individuals and groups. We are professionally trained through accredited courses by the CPCAB (Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body) and the NCS (National Counselling Society), ensuring that we uphold the highest ethical standards and principles in our practice. Our servic

es cater to a diverse clientele, including:

- Individual Therapy: We offer 1:1 sessions for adults, children, and young people, tailored to meet each person's unique needs.

- Specialised Support: Our expertise includes working with individuals affected by ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), as well as those dealing with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), military-related PTSD, and trauma of all forms.

- Couples/Relationship Counselling: We provide a safe space for couples to explore their relationships and overcome challenges together.

- Group Therapy: We facilitate group sessions that promote connection, understanding, and shared experiences.

- Workshops and Courses: We are in the process of developing workshops and courses that focus on various aspects of mental health and well-being. We proudly serve military personnel, veterans, emergency services staff, NHS employees, and school staff, recognising the unique challenges these groups may face. Our goal is to foster a supportive environment where healing and personal growth can occur. For further details about our services, please visit our website at www.toadcounselling.co.uk

You can also connect with us via email at [email protected]. Stay updated and follow us on social media: Twitter, Instagram, Google, Tumblr, Pinterest, TikTok!, and our Podcast available on most platforms (Empathy Corner: Conversations with Toad Counselling). We look forward to supporting you on your journey to mental wellness.

28/05/2026

😐 Ripley vs Regret. Part 4: The Recovery Era

Morning.

I have decided that today I am unavailable.

Not poorly.
Not dramatic.
Just… emotionally buffering.

After yesterday’s events, I have taken myself to a secure recovery location between the cushions, where I can safely process my choices and stare into the middle distance like a dog with a complicated past.

You may notice my tongue is slightly out.

That is not a symptom.
That is my thinking face.

I am currently reflecting on:

✔ The outdoors
✔ The carrot
✔ The incident
✔ Why humans say “leave it” after I have already committed
✔ Whether regret counts as personal growth

For the record, I regret nothing.

Except possibly one thing.

But we’re not naming it.

I have also been told that “actions have consequences.”

Rude.

Anyway, I shall be taking no questions at this time.

Unless the question is:
“Ripley, would you like a biscuit?”

In which case, yes. Obviously.

🐾 Ripley
Head of Emotional Support & Dramatic Recovery

🌐 www.toadcounselling.co.uk

Toad Counselling, because you are the one that matters.

21/05/2026

🥕 Ripley vs Regret (Part 3)

Right.

We’ve left the field.
We’ve had the “incident.”
We’re not talking about it.

I am now in recovery mode.

They have given me this carrot…
which I assume is some kind of emotional support vegetable.

Do I want it?
No.
Am I holding it anyway like it’s part of my healing journey?
Yes.

I would just like to say:
The outdoors was fun.
The vibes were incredible.
I became one with nature.

But nature…
was not one with me.

So we’re taking a short break from:
❌ Eating random things
❌ Trusting the floor snacks
❌ Questionable life decisions

And focusing on:
✔ Sitting on the road like a sensible professional
✔ Holding my emotional support carrot
✔ Reflecting

Back to work soon. Slightly wiser. Marginally more cautious. Still iconic.

🐾 Ripley
Head of Emotional Support & Poor Decisions

🌐 www.toadcounselling.co.uk

Toad Counselling, because you are the one that matters.

14/05/2026

🌿 Ripley vs The Outdoors (Part 2)

Right. Update.

I went out there…
and I thrived.

We’re talking:
Running.
Sniffing.
Sun on my face.
Main character energy.

At one point, I actually closed my eyes and just stood there like…
“yes… this is it… this is the meaning of life.”

I was at peace.
I was connected to nature.
I was nature.

…

Then I ate something I shouldn’t have.

And now we’re going home.

Immediately.

No further questions.

🐾 Ripley
Former Outdoor Enthusiast (retired 3 minutes ago)

🌐 www.toadcounselling.co.uk

Toad Counselling, because you are the one that matters.

07/05/2026

🌅 Ripley vs The Outdoors (Part 1)

I was told we were “just popping out for some fresh air.”

Excellent. Say less.

Next thing I know…
I’m in a field.
The sun is setting.
The vibes? Immaculate.

This is MY environment.
This is where I do my best thinking.
(And by thinking, I mean sniffing everything and carrying this toy like it’s extremely important business.)

Let’s be clear:
I am not just an Emotional Support Dog…
I am also an Outdoor Professional.

Fresh air ✔
Open space ✔
Unmatched main character energy ✔

Reminder from me (a qualified expert):
Getting outside won’t fix everything…
but it can make things feel a little lighter.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have fields to supervise and sunsets to admire.

Back at work tomorrow:
✔ Supporting humans
✔ Accepting snacks
✔ Being iconic indoors and outdoors

🐾 Ripley
Head of Emotional Support & Outdoor Adventures

🌐 www.toadcounselling.co.uk

Toad Counselling, because you are the one that matters.

30/04/2026

🐶 Excuse me… I have returned.

Not that I went anywhere.
I’ve been here the whole time. Working. Very hard. Obviously.

Apparently “being excellent at emotional support” doesn’t count as “posting online”… so here we are.

Today my human brother came to visit.
He brought snacks.
He brought coffee for Tony.
He did not bring snacks specifically for me… which feels like an oversight we’ll be discussing.

Anyway. I’m back online now.
Still supervising sessions.
Still accepting strokes as part of my role.
Still absolutely carrying this team.

If you need support, the humans here are actually very good too (especially the student counsellors, they’re lovely and more affordable, which I’m told is important).

I’ll be around. Watching. Judging. Supporting.

🐾 Ripley
Head of Everything Important

🌐 www.toadcounselling.co.uk

Toad Counselling, because you are the one that matters.

12/03/2026

🐾 Day Fifty-Something: Staff Break

Even therapy dogs need a break.

After a busy morning at Toad Counselling, greeting clients, supervising emotional wellbeing, and making sure the biscuit situation remained under control, management agreed it was time for a quick run in the park.

So here I am in Victoria Park, Bideford, conducting a very important lunchtime inspection.

My responsibilities during this break include:

👃 Sniffing absolutely everything
👀 Scanning the horizon for potential dog friends
🐕 Assessing whether anyone is available for a quick game

There was one small dog in the distance.
We made eye contact.
I wagged.
He wagged.

But sadly… he was busy with his human and did not accept my invitation to Professional Park Zoomies™.

Still, the fresh air helps reset the brain and stretch the legs before heading back to work. And sometimes that’s exactly what both humans and dogs need in the middle of the day.

At Toad Counselling we believe breaks matter. A short walk, a bit of fresh air, a moment to breathe, it can make all the difference.

Right. Break over.
Back to supervising therapy sessions and monitoring biscuit logistics.

💚 Affordable, supportive counselling
💚 No long waiting lists
💚 Self-referral: https://toadcounselling.co.uk/

🐾

05/03/2026

🐾 Day Fifty-Something: The Selfie Incident

I would like to begin by saying this was not my fault.

Tony left his phone unattended.
Just… sitting there.
Within reach.

Now, as Head of Security and General Oversight, it is my responsibility to investigate unattended objects.

So I did what any responsible therapy dog would do.

I picked it up.

Unfortunately, the phone appears to have a selfie mode. And apparently when you press it with your nose… it takes pictures.

Several pictures.

Evidence suggests the following occurred:

📱 Nose contact
📱 Camera activated
📱 Extreme close-up photography

I did try to maintain professionalism.

One photo shows my “serious therapy dog” face.
The other shows what I believe is called “accidental tongue deployment.”

Look, nobody warned me about front-facing cameras.

At Toad Counselling we encourage curiosity, exploration… and occasionally discovering that technology is not designed for dogs with noses.

The good news is I’m considering expanding my role to include Social Media Manager.

Although Tony says I need to work on my angles.

💚 Affordable, friendly therapy
💚 No long waiting lists
💚 Self-referral: https://toadcounselling.co.uk/

Right.
I’m off to see if the phone also orders biscuits.

26/02/2026

🐾 Day Fifty-Something: Absolutely Not Approved

I would like to address a very serious matter.

A vegetable was presented to me.

Not in a bowl.
Not chopped.
Not disguised in gravy.

Just… upright.
On the bed.
Like it belonged there.

It’s called a leek.

First of all — rude.
Second of all — I am a dog.
Third of all — dogs should NOT eat leeks.

So naturally, I conducted a full Risk Assessment Sniff™.

👃 Strong onion energy.
👃 Zero biscuit notes.
👃 Definitely not on my approved snack list.

Tony scratched my ear as if this was some kind of taste test.

Sir.

I am here for emotional support.
Not vegetable evaluation.

Let it be known:
I did not bite it.
I did not lick it.
I did not consume it.

I simply sniffed… judged… and declined.

At Toad Counselling, we believe in healthy boundaries.

And sometimes that boundary is:
“No thank you, that is not safe for me.”

💚 Safe, supportive therapy (for humans)
💚 Clear boundaries (for dogs and vegetables alike)
💚 No leeks were harmed or eaten

Self-referral: https://toadcounselling.co.uk/

12/02/2026

🐾 Day Forty-Whatever: Plot Twist

I have made a decision.

Yesterday I agreed to negotiations.
There was a paw.
There was warmth.
There was teamwork.

Today?

I have taken full control.

Yes, that is my paw.
Yes, I am holding the hand.
No, you may not leave yet.

If we are facing this cold, grey, slightly offensive weather… we are doing it properly. That means slow mornings. Extra tea. No dramatic life changes before 10am. And absolutely no pretending we’re bursting with motivation.

Sometimes support isn’t loud. It’s not advice. It’s not fixing.
It’s just staying.
And occasionally applying gentle paw pressure until the human calms down.

At Toad Counselling, we’re big believers in steady presence. Whether you’re thriving, surviving, or just blinking at the week wondering what happened, we’re here.

💚 Affordable, human counselling
💚 No pressure to be “better” instantly
💚 Self-referral: https://toadcounselling.co.uk/

Right.
You may proceed with your day.
But I’ll be monitoring you. Closely. 🐾

05/02/2026

🐾 Update: Negotiations Have Begun

Terms and conditions apply.

After declaring a full blanket-based protest against the cold, wet, miserable weather… I have agreed to talks.

This is me, Ripley, placing one paw gently on Tony’s hand.
Not a demand.
Not a bribe.
Just a subtle reminder that emotional support works both ways.

Translation:
“If we must face the day, we will do it together. Slowly. With snacks. And possibly another nap later.”

Some days don’t need fixing. They just need a bit of warmth, a steady presence, and someone to sit with you while the world feels a bit soggy and grey.

At Toad Counselling, that’s kind of our thing. Whether you’re wrapped in a blanket or trying to hold it together, you don’t have to do it alone. Sometimes support looks like talking. Sometimes it looks like a paw on your hand.

💚 Affordable, supportive counselling
💚 No pressure. No rushing.
💚 Self-referral: https://toadcounselling.co.uk/

Right.
Handshake complete.
We’ll try the day now. 🐾

Address

5 Mill Street
Bideford
EX392JT

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 10pm
Tuesday	10am - 10pm
Wednesday	10am - 10pm
Thursday	10am - 10pm
Friday	10am - 10pm

Website

http://www.toadcounselling.co.uk/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Toad Counselling Ltd posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Bideford?