Anne Ford

Verified Professional Verified Professional
Verified Professional

Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.

"bacp : Counselling changes lives!"Contact ME
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

Cwmbran, Gwent, NP44
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

Hello, we are now living in strange times, any mental health issues, or as I prefer emotional issues may well be made worse by having to worry and stress about unseen or unforeseen situations. please take a look at my profile and decide if I could help you, to help yourself at this unprecedented time. I too find it strange to shift my normal way of working to online or by telephone. Any medium I may use is safe ( Encrypted ) . I get that confidentiality may be problematic, some clients have called me from their cars! I also get that many people will be stressing about personal finances so I am happy to discount my services to £25 for 45-50 mins, If you are furloughed or in low paid employment.As we come out of lockdown I am happy to offer 'Walk and Talk,' where social distancing can be maintained...just bring a rug or towel to cover any seats that might be used....My home Counselling room is large and airy, so again a 2metre Social distancing can be adhered too.

Hi, Thank you for taking the time to read my profile. Its not really about me...its about you. Its important you choose the right Therapist for you.I see myself as someone who can help you process, make sense of and work through issues that may be bothering you. I am a well qualified, experienced, .BACP registered Counsellor/ Psychotherapist. The two terms are considered interchangeable depending on personal preference. ' This Register is approved by the Professional Standards authority for health and Social Care.

Why choose me?

I think one of my strengths is maturity, I am over 50 which means I have significant life experience. Both in my personal life and previous Work life. I lived in Brighton for 20 years, prior to coming to Cwmbran in 2015.. I was brought up in a working class environment, until at 17 I moved to Weymouth where I was at a Grammar School. I went to Uni, got married to my childhood sweetheart at 20. I became a Teacher,2009 -2014 i spent 5 years working in a Mental Health Environment, I have also done Care in the Community.

In 2009 I began training to be a therapist and qualified in 2014. I am passionate about my work and love what I do.

I aim to be non-judgemental, caring and compassionate. Sitting with you and holding that space for you so you can in some cases literally breathe and reflect why you need or want Counselling.

I believe Counselling offers more than prescription medication, which tends to be a GPs first line of treatment. Counselling should help you to understand WHY you feel 'bad' rather than just addressing the symptoms ( Important as they are ) Though if you are struggling with Prescription Medication  I can help.

I did not have an easy childhood, nor was my first marriage easy. I experienced work place bullying in my twenties. I have had depression and anxiety at various times in my life. I know about loss... a miscarriage, a divorce,  an unexpected death. I had to work through these situations so know what can possibly help....I understand how abuse and trauma can affect people and impinge on their quality of life and or relationships.

In addition I am a mum, a sister, a daughter, a wife...a friend...these relationships come with unique stresses and strains.

I am passionate about helping you to help yourself. I regard myself as caring and compassionate with a good sense of humour. I have been in Cwmbran now for nearly 5 years and in that time have seen several hundred local people. Some just come for a couple of sessions others 6-10 sessions others over 20 sessions. I will adapt the therapy to your needs. Including sessions bi-monthly if preferred.I will answer all enquires within 24 hours.

Client issues:

Client issues have included Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Bereavement, Bullying,Relationship issues, Low self-esteem,loneliness,Health Worries, The Menopause,Male mid-life crisis, Affairs, Miscarriage, Anger Management, Abuse (Including sexual abuse), Significant difficulty with an important relationship...eg. Mother, Father, siblings, Children. Bullying, Workplace issues. Pressure caused by debt. Fears including a fear of death.Suicidal idealisation.

A shout out to the Men

I see  a lot of Male clients ages 16- 70 . Last year there were 320 suicides in Wales 270 of these were Men between the ages of 21-45.  I am passionate as the Mother of sons in helping Men TALK about what bothers them. There are no Male only Counselling groups, whereas there are many Agencies that help Woman.

Of course I am more than happy to work with woman too. ( I just see wounded people Male and Female.)

Training, qualifications & experience


My Qualifications include a BA Hons, a P.G.C.E. a Diploma in Integrative Counselling.
Plus level 2 and 3 Counselling Skills and Theory
I have an up to date enhanced DBS.

As well as being mature and experienced in the school of hard knocks I have a background in working in Mental Health....I believe people are far more than the sum of any diagnostic label I worked for the Charity MIND and have tremendous empathy for those that struggle with poor Mental Health ( Though I prefer the term emotional health to the term Mental. I also for many years worked in Education and am well acquainted with the issues teenagers especially can present.Also I have done Care/ Support work with Vulnerable adults and the elderly including working with dementia. I have worked in An Agency based in Hastings East Sussex, I have worked in an Agency based in Merthyr Tydfil and I have been a School Counsellor. Counselling services include: Anxiety, depression, stress, bereavement, loss, conflict, relationships, bullying, illness, disability. anger, trauma abuse ( Both Male and Female ) isolation, loneliness, workplace issues, identity, self worth self esteem.  I enjoy working with a range of clients 19 to 90 .

I am bound by the BACP ethical framework.
Training Courses have included Suicide prevention, Domestic abuse, working with equality and diversity. working with relational trauma. Attachment theory. Supporting survivors ( Male and Female of abuse including sexual abuse and rape ) Working with dependence on prescription Medications.

. 'Drop the disorder...A more compassionate approach to Mental Health. I love to learn and see Counselling as a Journey which both the client and therapist embark on. No two Journeys will by nature be the same!

The bacps New Logo is Counselling changes lifes........YOU having nothing to lose and so much potentially to gain.

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

Other areas of counselling I deal with

I prefer the term Emotional distress to Personality disorders. If You feel well enough to engage in Therapy than I am happy to listen to your concerns.

Fees

Additional information

Cost £37.50 concessions available for students, unwaged, O.A.P

Fees negotiable dependent on personal circumstances. I believe Counselling should be accessible to all..

Types of Therapy

60 Minutes face to face short/term or long term

Telephone 1 Hour

Online 45 mins £30

When I work

Mon - Fri 9 -12 4-7pm . Sat on request.. Home visiting a possibility. Cost £37.50 Concessions available dependent on finances and personal circumstances please ask..

Further information

Testimonials ( Not real names )

Anne really listened to me and helped me deal with the pain of losing my Mam I could not talk about it to anyone not even my wife. It took me 2 years to get around to seeing someone. I wished I had spoken to Anne sooner.

Matthew......38 year old Fitter.

Anne helped me to make a difficult decision to get out of an abusive relationship. She helped me to realise I was worth more. All my life I had been told how useless I was. Anne helped me to understand that I needed to value myself more. Thank you Anne.

Carol Health Support Worker age 25

It is so hard to tell anyone you have been sexually abused as a child, especially if you are a Man. No-one believes you. Anne not only believed me but she patiently and empathically listened to me and above all made me understand that it was not my fault.

David University Student aged 22

     " A person of worth acknowledges your past, helps you plan your future and unconditionally accepts you just the way you are today in the present" Anne Ford 14/4/2013
.

I had anger issues, which were affecting my relationships with my wife and Kids. I am grateful to Anne for helping me to understand what was causing me to be angry. Once I understood where the anger came from, I was more able to address it.

Peter Teacher.

Cwmbran, Gwent, NP44

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone
Home visits

Types of client

Young people (13-17)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)
Couples
Organisations
Employee Assistance Programme

Key details

Wheelchair user access
Wheelchair user access

Wheelchair-accessible premises should have step-free access for wheelchair users and individuals who are unable to climb stairs. If a Counsellor's premises aren't step-free, they may offer alternative services such as telephone/web-based appointments, home visits, or meeting clients in different location, so you can choose the option that suits you best.

You can contact the Counsellor to discuss the options available.

Under the Equality Act 2010 service providers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that individuals with disabilities can access their service. You can read more about reasonable adjustments to help you to access services on the CAB website.

peaceful surroundings with plenty of off road parking.