Janice Lucas B.A.Hons (B.A.C.P.)

Abbotsham
Bideford
Devon
EX39 		Janice Lucas
07816413503
http://www.flairforlifecounselling.com
Click here to Email me

Profile

Welcome to my page. 'Flair For Life' is a counselling service delivering skilled professional help for individuals and couples.

My training and experience is an ever growing, alive and rich resource providing a treasure trove of possibilities, choices and tools for me to draw from when working with clients.

The process which activates and facilitates clients to manoeuvre their path through the complexities and detail of difficulties, past and present, is dependant on the quality of the relationship achieved with their counsellor. It is generally agreed that this relationship is the catalyst and therefore the focus for reparation in many schools of counselling.

Conditions of self worth, ego strength and trust are the profits to be harvested from forging a strong therapeutic working alliance.

A containing and safe environment will offer clients the greatest opportunity to embrace an approach to therapy where they can grow and flourish.

'The summer house' depicted offers a functional yet unique counselling room. This octagonal shaped building has been lovingly restored and provides a venue where clients will experience a peaceful and safe haven.

Clients arrive for a variety of reasons. Some seeking support during transitional stages in their lives, such as divorce or bereavement. Short term therapy can be helpful in these situations.

Others seek to transform their lives by exploring life long difficulties with the aid of professional help in a safe environment. Long term therapy in such cases can bring about positive change for the future of many.

Environment is important, in the home, in the work place and in the counselling room. I am delighted to offer my clients a choice of venue. I work towards helping clients achieve the therapeutic success they seek and deserve.

'Flair For Life' is my business name and for me it means being inspired by life's challenges, whatever they may be.

I am also engaged by corporate companies, such as rehabilitation providers, insurance companies and solicitors for clients requiring professional help and support. This work commonly includes preparing documents and reports in support of clients who are claiming compensation through the courts.

Training, Qualifications & Experience

Advanced Certificate 2000
(person centered counselling.) Plymouth University .

Diploma-Transpersonal Counselling 2001.
This three year journey combined both personal development with counselling training. The course also served as an introduction to the "Code of Ethics and Practice" as adhered to by members of the B.A.C.P.

Diploma-Higher Education 2004.
(Psychodynamic perspective and recognised by the B.A.C.P. as diploma level training.)

B.A.Hons Counselling 2006.
The degree was unusual inasmuch as its main focus was of the interdiciplinary character of counselling thought and practice. Advanced theoretical seminars and credit for learning at work was preparation for individual creditation by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. This double emphasis is a unique feature of my qualification.

Additional Courses Attended.
Dementia and Old Age.
The Influence of Siblings on Character Formation and Pathology.
Understanding the complexities of Sexual Abuse.
Anger Rage and Relationship
Exploring Spirituality in Counselling
Transactional Analysis 101
Anger Rage and Relationship-An Empathic Approach.

Joe Griffin and Ivan Tyrrell have developed a fasinating new approach to emotional health and clear thinking called. 'Human Givens'. I am an advocate. I continue to update my knowledge by attending workshops that include The Human Givens Approach.

Understanding and Stopping Addictive Behaviour.
Brief Therapy Skills for Stopping Addictive Behaviour

Clinical experience:
I have worked as a Staff counseller with the N.H.S.
Whilst working for 'The Wimbledon Guild' in Surrey, I gained valuable experience in long term therapy (up to 2 years). Most of these patient's were refered by their G.Ps.
Private clients also found their way to my counselling room via the Guild.

I am a member of 'British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy'.

Areas of counselling I deal with

Other areas of counselling I deal with

Couples counselling:

Working at a relationship with a counsellor takes a special kind of courage and the fact that you are willing to try means that something very important is going on. You both care enough about each other to attend.

Sometimes there are circumstances which make one person keener to save a relationship than the other. Counselling can work in many different ways. It can mean that the partner who was keen to finish the relationship changes their mind only to find that their partner has also changed their stance.

It can mean that one partner decides that it is all over and the other cannot or has difficulty in accepting that out come.

On occasions both partners decide to end the relationship but are able to use counselling to enable an ending which is as amicably as possible. This might well mean incurring less expense in the divorce court and that is always favourable for both.

Of course many couples come for counselling and learn new ways of communicating which enable the marriage to once again flourish and grow.

Any of the above and numerous other outcomes are possible but what counselling does do is facilitate change.


The only thing I ask is that you be as honest as is possible. I am not a messenger but I am here to facilitate a space where honesty and openness will be encouraged.

Therapies Offered

Fees

My practice

I offer a pluralistic approach to therapy as I am trained in a variety of perspectives. The psychodynamic approach enables people to understand their current difficulties in the context of both current and past experiences. Becoming aware of unhelpful patterns of thought and behaviour is the first step towards change. I am also trained and have experience working from a person centred Rogerian perspective. Relaxation techniques and guided visualisation is a useful tool where anxiety, stress and panic attacks are problamatical. I work face to face with both individuals and couples on a short and long term basis. The length of therapy can be decided together and be reviewed during therapy.

The first session
Studies show that the relationship with the therapist is the single most important factor for a successful therapy. It is important to feel safe and comfortable in order to be able to trust and confide problems. The initial session is an opportunity to meet and consider together if counselling would be helpful and if it is something you would like to do.

Therapy
Having decided to begin therapy, sessions are usually weekly and on the same day and time. Individual sessions last for 50 minutes. Couple counselling sessions last for one hour.

Fee
The fee for individual counselling is £35. The fee for couples counselling is £40 per session. In order to run my business effectively and to ensure availability for your next appointment, I charge for missed or cancelled sessions, except in the cases of planned breaks or exceptional circumstances.
I offer long and short term therapy and I endeavour to see each and every new client within 2 weeks of their enquiry.


For those wishing to engage in personal development:

I offer weekly sessions leaving the end date open whilst reviewing the work at regular intervals. A personal journey of this kind can be rewarding and exciting.

It is mandatory for every counsellor to be in supervision. Good practice not only ensures the safety of both counsellor and client but also makes your experience and understanding of the counselling process positive.

Professional supervision ensures the safety and well being of every client.

Further Information

One of the aims of counselling is to enable you to develop and bring into the light personal potential that you might never otherwise be aware of.

This quote by Carl Jung defines and respects the impact a therapeutic alliance can achieve.
"For two personalities to meet is like mixing two chemical subtances: if there is any combination at all both are transformed."
___________________________________

A Seed of Hope
Springs from within,
Infinate Potential
For a new life to begin.

Janice Lucas

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