Debbie Walker

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Counsellor, Psychotherapist & Supervisor Mbacp (Accred)
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, EN6
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

I am a Supervisor and Senior Counsellor/Psychotherapy practitioner with 20 years experience.  My private practice is located in Potters Bar,  Hertfordshire.  I offer both short and long term counselling to individuals, couples and/or other family members with daytime appointments available.

What is Counselling & Psychotherapy?

Counselling or psychotherapy provides a unique opportunity to explore and understand those thoughts and feelings which build up over time.  They may start off small but can become consuming.  Intrusive thoughts can become overwhelming and if you recognize this in yourself, then talking therapy can help you to manage those thoughts and emotions.  With the right support you can face and overcome those obstacles in your life that stop you from doing the things you want.  Today more and more people are recognizing the value of talking to a trained therapist.

As therapy progresses we usually find we become more confident and able to face the issues that brought you to therapy in the first place.  By us doing this exploration together, you feel less scared or worried.  Over time you begin to feel stronger and more confident to make those changes you may have thought impossible.

It is a unique chance to understand and change your personal patterns of behaviour.  People report feeling renewed levels of energy and this in turn  helps them to navigate areas of their life that have previously been unexplored.

How I can help

I try to understand your journey without judgement. I ask exploratory questions and offer strategies to help and support you.  It is hoped by doing this, you would be able to suspend your own judgement as we are often our harshest critique. The effect this often has is that it reduces the pressure and anxiety surrounding the issue. Often there are solutions in our life that we are are unable to face, are blinkered to or feel that we do not deserve.

My experience includes working with people with a wide range of issues including anxiety, depression, the effects ofadoption, childhood trauma & neglect, low self-esteem/confidence, relationship problems, self-harm, stress, life changes, mental health, addictions and adult trauma.  Please see below for more details of my work experience.

I believe whole-heartedly in what I do and I have seen profound changes in my clients. 

I understand how daunting it can be to pick up the phone and speak with a stranger about something very personal.  I know because I have done it myself, I became a therapist by going to a counsellor when I needed help.  The experience changed my life for the better.  I learned to get out of my own way and do something I love.  So here I am - talking to you.

Thank you for taking the time to read through my profile.  I hope reading the above has given you some hope and a sense of who I am and how I work.

If you have any question, please call me and ask away!

Training, qualifications & experience

  • Dydactic Developmental Psychotherapy Levels 1 & 2
  • Supervision Diploma
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Gestalt
  • Advanced Humanistic Integrative Diploma
  • Certificate in Adoption - Barnardos Link Services
  • NVQ4 Leadership & Management in Health & Social Care

I have 20 years of experience working with adults and young people within various organisational settings. This includes:

  • Turning Point - Substance Misuse Counsellor
  • Each Counselling - Domestic Violence Counsellor
  • Barnardos Link - Adoption, Senior Practitioner

Member organisations

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred).

Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).

Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision.

Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training.

All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.

Accredited register membership

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Accredited Register Scheme

The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).

This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Areas of counselling I deal with

Other areas of counselling I deal with

Addictions

I worked for 5 years in an addictions center supporting individuals with various addictions including: gambling, drugs, alcohol and sex.

I have also worked with the families and friends of those addicted to cope with the harmful effects of their behaviour on the spouses, parents and children.

Mental Health

My experience spans 2 GP surgeries working with individuals experiencing anxiety, stress and depression. I spent a year working in a mental health ward at the QEII in Welwyn Garden City supporting people with more extreme forms of mental health.

The Adoption Triangle (Birth Parents, Adoptee, Adoptive Family)

I am an approved Adoptions Counsellor with Barnardos Link Adoption Agency. Barnardos is registered with Ofsted to provide adoption placement and support services. For those affected by adoptions you may be able to access free counselling through Hertfordshire Council. Please call for more information.

Domestic Abuse

Domestic abuse is the term used to describe the physical, sexual, financial and emotional abuse of one person by another person who is or has been in a close relationship to them. Domestic abuse is more common than people think. One women in four will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime.

I have worked with the survivors of violence for 10 years to help them to reclaim their lives.

Coaching

I offer coaching in particular areas i.e. training, employment, health. Call now for a consultation.

Fees

£60.00 - £90.00
Free initial in-person, telephone or online session

Concessions offered for

  • Students
  • Trainee counsellors

Additional information

I offer a free 30 minute consultation.  If you prefer to book an hour the cost is  £60.00.  Take the chance to begin the change.

My fees are £60 per session for individuals, £80 for couples and £90 for families.

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

Daytime

Further information

My location:

I am located off Junction 24 on the M25 and I am easily accessible by road and buses 313 and 298. 

There is off street parking available and for those who have mobility restrictions there are 2 steps into the property.

Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, EN6

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Types of client

Young people
Adults
Older Adults
Couples
Families
Groups

Key details

DBS check

In England and Wales, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, formerly known as CRB) carry out criminal records checks for individuals working with vulnerable groups, such as children. To find out more, visit gov.uk , or contact this professional directly

I work from home in a bungalow so there are very few steps to the consultation room.

Online platforms

Skype
Whatsapp
Zoom

Supervision

In person
Online
Phone

Supervision available.

View supervision profile

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