Mary Barker The Bridge Consultancy Managing Consultant/Director of Counselling

Profile

People often need a little support in their lives to cope more effectively with current circumstances, unexpected incidents or recurrent life problems. Sometimes the support required is 'brief, solution focussed' therapy to address the current challenge - on other occasions you may find yourself revisiting similar problems and have just not had the opportunity or the support to get to the root of the issue.

 Whatever the need, it is important to be heard, and to be heard in a safe and non-judgemental setting. People need to be really listened to, and then an appropriate and realistic strategy to be worked out in order to help them move forward. It is furthermore often beneficial to step outside of the family, the circle of friends or workplace for you to gain new insights, perspectives and approaches to address your problems and needs.

 Counselling is normally arranged following an initial in-depth assessment session (up to an hour and a half) to identify the main problem or issue and provide an indication of the number and frequency of the sessions. The times and dates are mutually agreed, normally 55 minute sessions. Once we have met or the contact made and the focus agreed, the ongoing support can be face to face, by email or telephone according to the situation and preferences of the Client. If we feel we are not the most appropriate support for you at this time, we may suggest other more appropriate agencies to help you.

 Confidentiality* is upheld and all work undertaken adheres to the British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy Codes of Ethics and Practice.
* However, where there is abuse or criminal activity revealed during the counselling work then such abuse will be reported to the appropriate authorities, but support may be provided to the Client to proceed with that requirement.

 Approaches and discipline: Counselling may be short, brief focused, using a range of approaches (eclectic and integrative), or long-term, according to the needs of you or your situation, but if long-term therapy is undertaken, regular reviews are carried out, with the ongoing focus agreed between Client and Counsellor.

 Typical issues addressed include: relationship issues, loss, bereavement, anger management, stress, panic attacks, post traumatic stress, recurrent breakdown in relationships, family conflict, workplace relationships, relocation issues, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, marriage, parenting and partner issues.

Counselling is about change - helping a person to change their circumstances or helping them come to terms and deal more effectively with circumstances they cannot change.

It is our privilege to be alongside people who need support at key times in their lives and to "journey with them" to provide support during a period of challenge and change.

Mentoring & Coaching + Psychometric Testing

A full range of mentoring and coaching services are available for people to engage in themselves to assist their professional development or progress their career, OR for companies and organisations to retain these services for key personnel, to help develop their employee or manager's potential, or overcome problems.  (Additionally where required a full range of Psychometric Tests are available delivered by experts with face to face feedback as an additional resource!)

 Typically, the support required is around "people management", managing the team, handling conflict or trick situations, preparing for appraisals or change of career, or the overall improvement of performance. The EXTERNAL, IMPARTIAL support has been found to be invaluable to many of those in key positions, especially those not reaching their potential or those promoted into a managerial position and struggling to perform effectively. This is particularly an issue for successful "technical" managers who need support in handling "people issues" more successfully.

 Return to work, redeployment or career change - Professional support from the Bridge team is available to overcome these challenging times will help turn the situation from one of an overwhelming challenge to one of choice and control.

Extensive experience for a wide range of counselling, coaching and mentoring needs.  In today's world of challenge and change, able to provide a comprehensive counselling, supervision and training service.  Aspects covered relationship issues, change, bereavement, career guidance, coaching, mentoring for individuals, couples and organisations.

I head a team of experienced counsellors, trainers and advisers who work in a variety of fields, all supporting people or organisations to manage change successfully, whether that be for personal or professional issues.

Training, Qualifications & Experience

Trained in integrative, psychodynamic counselling, WPF and specialist counselling training over number of years in practice, whether workplace or individual contracts.

Brief, short term focused therapy OR long term work.

Also a qualified coach and careers practitioner providing IAG, outplacement and career development, job search, professional CVs,redundancy or retirement services. Full matrix accreditation.

Areas of counselling I deal with

• Abortion
• Abuse
• Affairs and Betrayals
• Anger Management
• Anxiety
• Bereavement
• Career Counselling
• Couples Counselling
• Depression
• Emotional Abuse
• Family Issues
• Generalised Anxiety
• Low Self-Confidence
• Low Self-Esteem
• Panic Disorder
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Pre-nuptial Counselling
• Relationship Issues
• Separation and Divorce
• Sexual Abuse
• Stress
• Trauma
• Work Related Issues

Therapies Offered

• Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies
  - Behavioural Therapy
  - Cognitive Therapy
  - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

• Psychoanalytical and Psychodynamic
  - Psychodynamic Therapy

• Humanistic Therapies
  - Person-Centred Counselling
  - Gestalt Therapy
  - Transactional Analysis

Fees

Services are provided on a bespoke basis, whether self referral or by professional referral and according to the menu of options required.

Further Information

Additional services can support the main counselling provision either via myself or through my team of qualified and experienced specialists, to include psychometric testing and wide range of training.

Please see website for further information: www.thebridgeconsultancy.co.uk and contact me for a brief discussion of your situation and how we might best meet your needs.  If we feel that my services or that of my organisation are not the most appropriate to support you at this time we will be able to suggest alternative sources of support.

• Online, email or telephone counselling available

Member Organisation(s)