Andrea Hunt

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(Formerly Smith)L6;PCL5;Individual&Couples Counselling;MBACP
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No current availability

This professional has no current availability for new clients. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.

Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15
No current availability
No current availability

This professional has no current availability for new clients. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.

About me

  • Do you feel disconnected from your feelings?
  • Are you often stressed, sometimes feeling out of control?
  • Do you feel as though you are not coping?
  • Do you feel that you are just “existing”?
  • Does the smallest thing seem to throw you off balance?
  • Do you have more questions than answers?
  • Are you finding it difficult to recover from disappointment?
  • Have you experienced an emotional trauma?
  • Do you want to take ownership of your own well-being?

Reading this may mean you have been asking yourself some of these questions for a while and you worry that you are the only person in the world who feels like this.

However, many people experience difficulties within their life and actually it is more commonplace than ever realised.

Most of us can function on a day to day basis, but sometimes we start to find ourselves reacting to situations in ways that can no longer feel normal to us. Perhaps then you may need some space in life’s hectic schedule to help you to explore and understand those feelings.

Reaching out takes time, courage and strength and means you have taken the decision to take control of your day to day feelings.

About Counselling

Counselling creates time to explore your feelings when experiencing some of life’s challenges.

It is a personal development journey which helps to promote self-awareness and a better understanding of your reactions and who you are.

It can help you identify the changes you wish to make in your life and help to reduce stress related illnesses.

About Andrea

Andrea Hunt (formerly Smith) is a qualified Psychotherapeutic Counsellor, qualified Independent Practitioner, qualified Counselling Supervisor, qualified Couples Counsellor and a qualified Online Practitioner.

She began her counselling training in 2007 after a life-threatening accident whilst working in a high-pressured role and environment.

Andrea has had numerous life events and experiences which has enabled her to connect and relate with many people from different backgrounds and cultures.

This has developed her understanding of difference and diversity and just how unique each individual is.

Andrea runs a successful private psychotherapeutic practice for clients of all ages.

She has counselled pupils within a school environment and students with complex social and learning difficulties.

Andrea has counselled for charities; becoming specialist within adult mental health and young people.

She has also provided a consultancy service for group sessions and has previously embarked on a project in partnership with Wiltshire Mind and SWITCH which involved counselling ex-offenders.

She has also had experience, but is not restricted to, clients presenting issues around:

  • Couples counselling
  • Family counselling
  • Generalised anxiety/anxiety
  • Sexuality/orientation
  • Bipolar/manic depression
  • Addictions
  • Post-traumatic stress
  • Inter personal relationships/relationship issues
  • Family dynamics/family issues
  • Self-harming
  • Anger management
  • Transition
  • Risky behaviour
  • Sexual invasion
  • Family break ups
  • Career progression
  • Academic progression
  • Self-esteem/low self esteem
  • Attachment disorder
  • Couples issues
  • Gambling
  • Low self confidence
  • Asperger's syndrome
  • Physical abuse
  • ADHD
  • Anorexia nervosa
  • Internet addiction
  • Binge-eating disorder
  • Sex problems
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Bereavement
  • Depression
  • Post-natal depression
  • Affairs and betrayals
  • Separation and divorce
  • Panic disorder
  • Abuse    
  • Child related issues
  • Trauma  
  • Work related issues
  • Emotional abuse
  • Sexual confusion/sexual issues
  • Alcoholism
  • Personality disorders
  • Living with long term illness
  • Eating disorders
  • Voices   
  • Child abuse
  • Abortion
  • Phobias
  • Sexual abuse
  • Stress
  • Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Drug abuse
  • Bullying
  • Sex addiction
  • Bulimia nervosa
  • Addiction (s)
  • Body dysmorphic disorder
  • Narcissistic personality disorder
  • Feeling sad
  • Hoarding
  • Seasonal affective disorder
  • Depression and anxiety in children
  • Behaviour problems
  • Childhood bullying
  • Separation anxiety
  • Childhood bereavement
  • Attachment disorder in children
  • Trans-identified people/partners of
  • Panic attacks
  • Health anxiety
  • Social anxiety
  • Autism
  • Loneliness
  • Borderline personality disorder (bpd)
  • Dementia
  • Neurodiversity
  • Dissociation
  • Perfectionism
  • Child counselling

Andrea is a qualified relationship counsellor so is able to offer couples and group counselling to cover areas, but not restricted to, relationship conflicts; common goals and themes and family mediation.

Video, Audio and E-Counselling

Andrea Hunt offers individual, couples and group counselling.

Sessions take the form of Video, Audio or E-counselling on various platforms.

Such platforms can support those experiencing mobility, accessibility, childcare or time related issues.

With E- counselling a 50-minute session is scheduled and the communication is via email, instant messaging or text.

To reduce intensity; promote convenience and work within time restrictions an alternative is to spread the duration of the session over the week. E-counselling or What’s App voice notes would be used for this format, allocating 10 minutes each day. *

Voice notes does have a faster paced feel to the work, so choose the intervention that will work best for you as an individual.

To further explore either of the above options, please make contact with Andrea.

 *Subject to mutually agreed terms

Couples/Family Counselling

Andrea is a qualified Couples/Relationship Counsellor holding a Diploma in Couples Counselling, recognised by the Couples Counselling Network.

Relationship counselling is designed to provide all parties with a safe environment and space to discuss and explore their relationship.

Andrea aims to facilitate a better functioning of the relationship between those parties involved, in a respectful and non-judgemental way; giving equal space to all parties so those present feel heard and valued.

It can help each of you to identify changes you wish to make in your life for the benefit of the relationship.

Your relationship will be the focus of each session. Andrea will not be making a judgement on the current state or potential outcomes of your relationship.

By working together, the aim is to gain a clearer understanding of the issues affecting your relationship and to explore the possible changes that maybe required to achieve the best outcome for your relationship.

Andrea believes that neither party is to blame for the current state of the relationship; but all parties are responsible for the relationship and how it moves forward.

Andrea also runs group therapy sessions.

Training, qualifications & experience

Why Connect?

Andrea Hunt offers individual, couples and group counselling.

Sessions take the form of Video and Audio on numerous platforms as well as E-Counselling.

This can really help to support those of you experiencing mobility, accessibility, childcare or time related issues.

Andrea is based within a private studio to ensure your confidentiality and is central to Chippenham (SN15), Calne, Melksham and Devizes, within Wiltshire.

Daytime and early evening appointments available – the last appointment time is 4.55pm.

Andrea’s main way of working is Transpersonal Integrative (Transpersonal meaning beyond the self – recognising the connection between mind, behaviour and intuition) which has proved very successful with many clients.

However, as part of her training there are other ways of working which can be used to help best support the person you are. Other methods such as Cognitive; Behavioural; Cognitive/Behavioural; Psychodynamic; Psychoanalytical; Systemic; Structured/Brief; Person Centred; Supportive and Art are interventions used as part of the work.

Choosing a Counsellor can be a difficult decision so if you would like to discuss anything around the counselling process prior to your first appointment please do make contact.

Qualifications

A qualified Counselling Supervisor to Level 6 CPCAB

A qualified Psychotherapeutic Counsellor and Independent Practitioner to Level 5 CPCAB

Professional Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling Level 4 CPCAB

Counselling Studies Level 3 CPCAB

Counselling Skills Level 2 CPCAB

Couples Counselling Diploma

OCST 1 Online Counselling Diploma

Member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists

BACP Certificate of Proficiency and registrant of the BACP Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists

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

Group Therapy

About you

  • Would you take comfort in knowing someone has shared your experiences and they are on their way to recovery?
  • Do you feel that you need to talk about your feelings but the thought of one to one therapy feels too overwhelming?
  • Do you wonder if you are the only one that feels this way but would take comfort in knowing that others do too?
  • Would you like to know that sharing your experiences could also help and benefit others?
  • Would you like to have a greater awareness of how you interact with others and how they see you?
  • Do you experience strong feelings of shame, self-dislike or guilt and yet those around you seem to be doing ok?
  • Are you highly self-critical?

Group therapy can benefit many people including those that suffer from anxiety, depression, stress, low self-esteem, or those that maybe finding life difficult to cope with.

Telling your story to a group of supportive and understanding people can help to release previously repressed feelings and tension.

Humans are herd animals by nature and being part of a cohesive group can offer a sense of belonging and acceptance; this can feel very comforting when working through issues.

Who is group therapy for?

Group therapy can help people with a wide range of emotional difficulties.

It is well suited to those individuals who would like to improve the way they relate to others and to explore how you are viewed by others, in a safe and controlled setting.

What are the benefits of group therapy?

Group therapy is an opportunity to meet others experiencing similar concerns and issues.

It offers a support network, helping you to feel less isolated which can help to increase self-esteem and confidence.

Sharing your experiences can help you learn about the responsibility and the consequences of your decisions, gaining greater understanding.

This can bring a heightened self-awareness and help others identify their own behaviours. Such skills can be utilised in everyday life.

Through kindness and compassion, group therapy can help you to stop judging yourself and those around you; helping to reduce perfectionism, fear of failure and shame.

People with higher self-compassion are more effective in stressful situations, life satisfaction and self-confidence.

What to expect?

You will be encouraged to share your thoughts, feelings and experiences to develop relationships within the group. This will provide you with feedback, advice or practical tips from me, or other members of the group who have experienced similar emotional difficulties.

It is also an opportunity to reach out and support others.

This will highlight how past experiences influence the present, giving insights on how to improve relationships in your everyday life. Often this is the first stage to change and recovery.

Members of the group will involve people at difference stages of their recovery, some may have been where you are now and found ways to recover; this can give hope during times of difficulty.

The sessions are confidential.

You will need to commit to a minimum of six sessions. The groups will be small groups of no more than five. They take the form of an open conversation with no pre-set topics.

Each session lasts for 60 minutes and costs £25 per person.

The group is to provide an atmosphere of trust, support and positivity.

The intent is to gain insight and to help you learn your own coping methods so you can handle things if and when problems arise.

Fees

£55.00 per session

Additional information

Charges

£55 per 50 minute session for individual work.

£75 per 50 minute session for couples counselling (for the first four sessions and £65 thereafter).

£75 per 50 minute session for group work, comprising of two or more persons, but limited to four without prior negotiation.

£25 per 60 minute session for the group therapy events.

£55 per 50 minute session for Supervision or £82.50 for a 90 minute session.

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

Daytime and early evening appointments available.

Last appointment time 4.55pm

Further information

Some Facts

Two things have been mentioned within Andrea’s website:

  • Experiencing difficulties within our life is more common place than ever realised
  • Choosing a counsellor can be a difficult decision

British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists conducted some research and found one in four adults suffer from common mental health issues. Yet how many of you suffering actually seek support?

Andrea has put some facts together to help reassure you that you are not alone with some of your issues and to provide reassurance and confidence that she runs a successful practice. The information has been collected over a six-year period.

You

Those who have worked alongside Andrea as part of her private practice range from age 5-63 years and there is fairly much an equal split between male (44%) and females (55%).

Most of you refer yourself to counselling, however over a quarter of you are referred by a family member.

Nearly half of you have had counselling previously and some are currently on medication to help with their psychological problems.

Your Concerns

Many of you come to counselling for numerous reasons and once in therapy explore other areas which are unique to you.

Whilst it is important to recognise that each of you have your own individual challenges and difficulties to explore, there are some commonplace reasons as to why you would choose to come to therapy and common themes that are covered within sessions.

Common themes that bring you to therapy:

  • Life management difficulty (most common)
  • Problems related to primary support group, including family circumstance
  • Problems related to your social environment
  • Problems in relationship with spouse or partner
  • Stressful work situation
  • Social exclusion and rejection
  • Events resulting in loss of self-esteem in childhood
  • Problems related to negative life events in childhood

Common themes covered in sessions:

  • Anxiety/stress
  • Depression
  • Cognitive learning
  • Work/academic reasons
  • Self-esteem issues
  • Interpersonal relationship
  • Living/welfare

Summary

Different people are in different places when they embark on their therapeutic journey.

Some are dealing with very difficult life situations, with 34% experiencing suicidal thoughts and 36% thoughts of self-harm, whilst 20% have thoughts of causing harm to others.

Some are struggling to function on a day to day basis; whereas some are simply looking to increase self-awareness and work on self-development.

The place in which you find yourself varies for each individual.

From the data collected there is clear evidence that Andrea has reduced concerns for wellbeing by 73%, problem solving by 73%, day to day functioning by 69%, risk by 89% and overall concerns by 72%. *

In summary, Andrea has taken individuals on average from a clinical population to a non-clinical population for mental health.

*Based on data collected using the CORE Outcome

Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15

Type of session

Online
Phone

Types of client

Children
Young people
Adults
Older Adults
Couples
Families
Groups
Organisations
Employee Assistance Programme

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

Andrea’s private practice is set within her garden premises within a spacious summer house setting. This ensures all on line work remains confidential.

Online platforms

Skype
VSee
Whatsapp
Zoom

Supervision

Online
Phone

Andrea holds a Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling Transpersonal Integrative awarded by CPCAB and qualified to Level 6 CPCAB as a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor and Independent Practitioner.

View supervision profile

Social

Andrea Hunt
Andrea Hunt