Christine Bonsmann MBACP (Accred), MSc Counselling Psychology, MBA, PG Dip, PG Cert. |  |
Profile
Are you finding life difficult or stressful? Are you feeling disappointed with how your life is turning out? Are you struggling with relationships in your private life or at work? I am a professionally qualified and experienced Counsellor based in Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire. I offer counselling for relationship problems, depression, anxiety, work stress, eating problems and loss and bereavement. I am an accredited member of the BACP*, a member of the BABCP* and a graduate member of the BPS*. If you would like to know more about counselling why not ring me to see if therapy could help you? If you prefer, you could come and meet me to decide if you would like to work with me and there is no charge for this.
Why Counselling?
There are a number of reasons why people decide to try counselling. Are you feeling low? Are you struggling with your relationships? Are you feeling stressed and working too hard? Maybe you are recently bereaved or are experiencing depressed or anxious feelings? It may be that past experiences are troubling you or that you feel angry or worried. Maybe you just feel disappointed with how life is turning out?
Counselling can help you to become more positive and to learn the skills to cope with future difficulties on your own. Crucially, counselling is a confidential arrangement which offers you the safety to discuss problems which you are troubled about in a non-judgmental and non-discriminatory environment. Counselling can help you to understand yourself and increase your awareness of the triggers which make you feel angry or sad or anxious. After counselling people often find that they are able to make changes in their lives.
You may be unsure about whether counselling can help? In fact research has shown that counselling is helpful for many people (see Cooper, 2008). It can be confusing to try and understand the different types of psychological therapies available. However, the importance of the therapeutic relationship in counselling and psychotherapy is well documented (see Miller, 2009) and has been recognised as the single most important predictor of therapeutic success. It is, therefore, important to find a Counsellor that you feel you can work with, someone that you feel will understand you and offer you the appropriate balance of support and challenge. I offer a free initial meeting to help you to decide if you would like to work with me and to ask any questions.
Counselling is not just for resolving problems. Counselling can also help you to realise your potential and can be used for personal development, for example to improve career prospects or to explore your goals. It may help you to decide what you want out of life and enable you to find ways of achieving your goals.
Why Me?
Prior to training to be a Counsellor I worked as a Financial Controller in the City. I have always had an interest in counselling and psychotherapy and psychology and following some major life changes I decided to train to become a Counsellor. I have undertaken therapy as part of my training and I remember how difficult I found this and how anxious I felt about making that first call. This experience has informed my practice and I try to create a safe place for you to talk about your concerns and worries. I understand that you may be feeling anxious and uncertain. Counselling is a confidential relationship and I explain what this means when I meet you and any exceptions to this.
Following my Counsellor training, I have undertaken further training in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) skills which I will integrate into our work if you think this approach will help you. I am experienced in working with a wide range of presenting problems including relationship problems, work stress, anxiety and depression, eating disorders and bereavement. I work with clients over 18 years of age.
My research interests are concerned with how clients experience counselling and psychotherapy. I believe that giving a 'voice' to the client's experience of counselling is essential for the development of the counselling profession. The findings of my research inform my counselling practice. I have presented my research at the BACP Annual Research Conference in 2010.
Why Not?
If you are reading this it is likely that you are considering seeking professional help. I recognise how difficult it can be to make that first step to seek some professional help. Why not ring or email me now so that you can see whether you would like to work with me.
My practice is easily accessible from the centre of Stoke on Trent and the M6 and A500.
Training, Qualifications & Experience
MSc in Counselling Psychology (Distinction) (Keele University)
PG Diploma in Counselling Psychology (Achieved Distinction Level) (Keele University)*
Certificate in Counselling (Keele University)
Foundation Course in Counselling
PG Certificate in Advanced Practice Interventions in Mental Health (Achieved Distinction Level) (University of Manchester)*
Advanced Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Skills and Studies (Achieved Distinction Level) (University of Derby)*
MBA (University of Strathclyde)
Accredited member of BACP
Member of BPS and Division of Counselling Psychology
Member of BABCP
Member of Association for Independent Practitioners
UKRCP* Registered Independent Counsellor
Affiliate Member of Association for Coaching
Experienced Psychological Practitioner (NHS)
Professional Achievements
Presented counselling research at The Keele University Counselling Psychology Conference, 2008.
Presented my research about the client's view of therapy at the BACP Annual Research Conference, London, May 2010.
Co-presented a symposium at the BACP Annual Research Conference, London, May 2010 - you can read more about this work in the paper I have co-written in the 'Counselling and Psychotherapy Research' Journal, June 2010.
Presented my counselling research at the University of Salford Postgraduate Annual Research Conference, June 2010.
Invited to present my research at The International Qualitative Research Conference at Bournemouth University in September 2010.
I work as a Counsellor and Psychological Therapist in my private practice. I work for private clients and Employee Assistance Programmes. I am an experienced Psychological Practitioner and have worked in the NHS in clinical settings.
I have previously worked at North Staffs MIND (leading mental health charity), The Dove Service (charity specialising in bereavement and loss counselling), The North West Centre for Eating Disorders (bulimia and anorexia nervosa and underlying issues) and The O'Connor Addiction Centre (drugs and alcohol). Previous experience includes specialising in relationship problems, low confidence, depression, anxiety, work stress, addiction, bereavement and eating disorders.
I am an accredited member of the BACP and adhere to its Code of Ethics. See http://www.bacp.co.uk/ I am also a Graduate Member of the BPS and a member of the BABCP and the Assocaition of Independent Practitioners.
I am CRB checked (2008) and am fully insured. I receive regular supervision and consultation for my work by an accredited member of the BACP. I participate in a number of continuing professional development activities which means that I keep up to date with professional issues and research. I am interested in making a contribution to the counselling community through my writing and research.
*BACP - British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
*BABCP - British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies
*BPS - British Psychological Society
*UKRCP - United Kingdom register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists
* Keele University , University of Manchester and University of Derby do not award a distinction for the PG Certificates, PG Diploma and the Advanced Diploma I have studied and this is common across many universities. I achieved a distinction level for these courses.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
I have special interests in how attachment theory informs our adult relationships. I aim to create a secure base to enable you to explore your worries and concerns.
I hope to work with you to facilitate a process of change and to enable you to overcome any difficulties you may be experiencing and/or to alter any unhelpful patterns of behaviour or relating.
Thank you for your interest and please contact me if you have any questions. If you are not ready to try counselling I am happy to suggest some books and ideas which may be helpful. What is stopping you from living the life you want to?
Therapies Offered
Fees
£30.00 per hour (£35.00 after 5pm) Mon - Fri.
£40.00 per hour Sat
Concessions available and negotiable.
Further Information
Other Training
Autism and Aspergers Awareness
Working with Children and Families
Personality Disorder
Positive Parenting
Self Harm
Expressive Therapies
Narrative in Therapy
Integrating Process Work with Counselling Practice
Stress Management Course
Brief Solution Focussed Therapy
Mental Health Issues
Managing Risk
Child Protection
Talking about Anxiety
- Online, email and telephone counselling available
Member Organisation(s)
Location Map
