Alison Hollingshead

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she/her
Online MBACP Trauma Informed Psychotherapist & Supervisor
Limited availability
Limited availability

This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.

Newcastle ST5 & Bristol BS8
Limited availability
Limited availability

This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.

About me

Welcome 😊 I'm a compassionate, trauma informed Psychotherapist specialising in trauma, anxiety, and self-worth. I work online with people all over the UK.

Do you recognise any of the following?

  • Do you experience anxious and overwhelming feelings, or think the worst is going to happen?
  • Do you often put yourself down and find it hard to show yourself compassion?
  • Do you often not feel good enough?
  • Have you experienced a significant loss, difficulty, or trauma and you are finding it hard to move on from this?
  • Do you have intrusive thoughts, feel triggered and have flashbacks or traumatic memories?
  • Do you feel unheard, unloved, guilty, or experience feelings shame?
  • Was your childhood difficult or traumatic?
  • Were your feelings and emotions ignored or dismissed as a child, whilst other aspects seemed to be positive? 
  • Have you experienced abuse or trauma - you want to move on from this, and live a fulfilling life without confusion, feelings of shame, depression and anxiety? 

"Alison is a warm and empathetic individual, which are the most important qualities I looked for in a counsellor. I never felt the need to mince my words, or be afraid to be vulnerable with Alison, as she approaches counselling from a non-judgemental, proactive perspective. Anybody who needs someone to talk to, and to help them better understand themselves, would benefit massively from Alison’s support."(Alula - Client)

How I can help you
I can help you develop a better understanding of yourself and your experiences, so you can feel more connected, comfortable, and confident within yourself. 
I can help you process and move on from difficult experiences or trauma, so you can live a more fulfilling life.

Who I work with
I work with adults providing a blend of counselling and psychotherapy depending on your aims and goals.  I have a special interest in working with trauma, relational difficulties and anxious attachments.

"Alison was always a welcoming, trusting counsellor who created a safe space for me to express my thoughts. She helped me look at situations from different perspectives, unpack where my feelings were coming from, and how I might be able to reach a place of acceptance." (Client)

How to book therapy

  • For long or short term therapy You can book your free initial consultation here https://selfbeliefproject.co.uk/feel-more-confident/
  • One off counselling/coaching sessions - I offer single session therapy if you would like some focused time (80 mins) to explore or process something specific. You can book this here https://selfbeliefproject.co.uk/feel-more-confident/

What kinds of areas I work with

  • Attachment or relational trauma
  • Co dependency in family and romantic relationships 
  • Overwhelm and anxiety
  • People who would describe themselves as sensitive or easily triggered
  • Relationship difficulties
  • Neurodiversity 
  • Sexual/physical/emotional abuse
  • Physical/sexual assault or violence 
  • Recovery from coercive control 
  • Bullying and discrimination
  • Pre and post natal anxiety/depression
  • Traumatic birth/baby loss
  • Parenting challenges
  • Car accident trauma
  • Traumatic/complex grief - including suicide
  • Vicarious trauma (for those working in a caring role)

How I work
I offer Humanistic and Relational Psychotherapy, and Somatic/Polyvagal Theory (connecting the mind, brain and body). Together we can explore your unique experiences so you can develop insight and awareness, which will enable you to become more understanding, compassionate and better able to cope. 

It takes courage to ask for support and I will do all I can to make your experience comfortable and beneficial.

You are in the right place if you would like to:

  • have a safe and accepting place to share your story and experience 
  • Improve your self-worth
  • have more clarity
  • feel more in tune with yourself
  • be more comfortable in your relationships
  • achieve your personal goals
  • move on from difficult experiences or trauma

My promise to you:-

  • I will accept you and your experiences unconditionally and without judgement.
  • I will be genuine, honest and transparent in the hope that you feel comfortable sharing your experience.
  • I will listen deeply to you, so you know that I hear your experience.

Most of us experience psychological distress as some point in our lives, and I would like to help alleviate this.

I offer a free, no obligation appointment to give us both the opportunity to see if we are comfortable working together, as it is important that you feel comfortable with your therapist.

With the nurturing and therapeutic space that I provide, we can work together through any issues to reach a more manageable place for you.

I welcome you to get in touch. Follow this link to book a free initial appointment https://selfbeliefproject.co.uk/feel-more-confident/

Please check your spam/junk folder for the confirmation email.

Training, qualifications & experience

  • Post Graduate Diploma (Level 7) Counselling and Psychotherapy (2013)
  • Certificate 1 & 3 Counselling
  • BSc (Hons) Psychology (2005)
  • Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling (ACTO and BACP approved)
  • Diploma in Life Coaching
  • MIP Certificate in Supervision
  • Rewind Technique for Trauma and PTSD

Other Training:-

  • Trauma Informed Grounding Techniques
  • Trauma and the Brain
  • Working with Anxiety
  • Polyvagal Therory
  • Working with Shame
  • Dissociation 
  • Treating Intrusive Thoughts and the Critical Voice
  • Counselling with Children and Young People
  • Bereavement and Loss
  • Addictions
  • Mental Health Awareness
  • Trauma and Abuse
  • Building Resilient Families
  • Gender, Sex and Sexuality
  • LGBTQ+
  • Working with Suicide and Suicide Awareness
  • Equality and Diversity
  • Congruence in Person Centred Counselling
  • Relationships
  • Safeguarding Children and Adults (Level 3)
  • Wellbeing at Work

I have been working in the mental health field within a variety of settings, since 2005 including:-

  • Private Care Sector
  • Older people’s mental health (Private and NHS)
  • Physical disability (NHS and Private)
  • Learning Disability (NHS)
  • Primary Care Mental Health (NHS)
  • Secondary Care Mental Health (NHS)
  • Adult Mental Health Carers (3rd Sector)
  • Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling (3rd Sector)
  • Mental Health in the Community (3rd Sector)

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

Photos & videos

Fees

£65.00 - £105.00
Free initial online session

Concessions offered for

  • Low income
  • Trainee counsellors

Additional information

I offer a free, no obligation initial meeting (online-Zoom) -This gives us both the opportunity to see if and how we could work together. It is important that you get the right therapy for you, and we feel comfortable working together.

Individuals - £65 per 50 minute session

£105 - One-off single session of 80 minutes. This is available for people who would like some focused time to explore something specific, but don't want ongoing sessions.

Follow this link to arrange your consultation https://selfbeliefproject.co.uk/feel-more-confident/

Please check your spam/junk folder for the confirmation email 

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

Mondays, Wednesday's and Thursdays between 9.30-3pm, Friday mornings.

Further information

I am a Registered Member of the BACP which means that I agree to adhere to their ethical framework, I attend professional supervision on a monthly basis, hold indemnity insurance, have a clear and enhanced DBS, and regularly attend appropriate professional training.

Newcastle, Staffordshire, ST5

Bristol, City of Bristol, BS8

Type of session

Online

Types of client

Adults

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

All appointments are online over Zoom

Online platforms

Whatsapp
Zoom

Supervision

Online

I provide a supportive, collaborative, and accepting space for you to reflect on your practise, so you can work with confidence and clarity.

View supervision profile

Social

Alison Hollingshead
Alison Hollingshead