Alison Joplin

Hello, I am a fully qualified and experienced Counsellor, and an Accredited member of the BACP. I work from my private practice close to Ipswich. This location offers a private and relaxed environment making it a safe place for people to talk about and explore anything that is troubling them.

I work with individuals from the age of 15 years and Couples who are searching for help with any issues they may be experiencing within their relationship. My office is in a separate building from my house which offers complete privacy. I also offer sessions over the phone or on Skype.


Therapy Offered

I work as a Person-Centred Counsellor, which is an approach that I truly believe in, from my own personal experience of Counselling, which led me to train in this field. This type of counselling focuses totally on the individuals experiences in a non-judgemental and empathic environment. This gives a person the space to explore their feelings, which in turn enables a person to find clarity and understanding about their circumstances. Eventually, a person will grow in confidence and strength and feel ready to move forward with their life in a more positive way. Some people never feel able to talk to those people closest to them for fear of hurting or upsetting them and some people simply don't have anybody to share their problems with. This is why Counselling can prove to be invaluable.

I work with both male and female clients and will see younger people from the age of 15 years of age. I also offer telephone counselling or Skype counselling for people who are unable to travel or just haven't got the time to travel due to a busy lifestyle.

I offer CBT to work with clients to identify their negative thought processes which is very helpful with people suffering with anxiety and depression.

I have experience in working with a variety of issues and these include the following:

• Anxiety
• Stress
• Low Self-Esteem
• Depression
• Bereavement
• Trauma
• Relationship Issues
• Abuse
• Anger issues
• Self-Harm

Training and Experience

I initially completed a three year diploma course in Counselling and Psychotherapy and then went on to do a three year Higher Education Diploma at Colchester Institute, which was accredited by the University of Essex and the B.A.C.P. To qualify I had to complete 100 hours of experience in working with clients.

Following on from this I worked for Suffolk Mind on a voluntary basis where I worked with clients for up to 12 sessions and gained more experience in working with anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, agoraphobia and bipolar disorder. Since working in private practice for over 10 years,  I have gained a great deal of experience in working with many different clients with a variety of problems many of whom have finished therapy and have gone on to make positive changes in their lives. I have now over 3,000 clients hours.

I have completed several courses in CBT and offer this when working with my clients in conjunction with talking therapy.

I completed a course in telephone counselling and worked for several years with University Students who needed support during their studies to help to get them through their time in University.

I have been a BACP accredited Counsellor for six years, which means that my practice has been deemed to meet their higher standard as a competent, ethical and independent practitioner.

£45 for a 50 minute session. First session is offered at a reduced rate at £20 (This is for individual sessions only). The first session gives you the option to see if you want to commit to regular sessions with myself. A reduced fee of £30 is offered for student counsellors and some concessionary rates are available for those on low income. £60 for Couples Counselling which is a 60 minute session.

For telephone or Skype counselling I require payment in advance for the initial session and the same for follow up sessions. Payment can be made via paypal or by bank transfer.

My private practice in Washbrook is situated approx 5 minutes from Ipswich Centre and two minutes from Suffolk One College, making it very easy to access and also has off road parking.