Diana Thomas MSc MBACP (accred)
Profile
It takes courage to pick up the phone and make that first call regarding counselling! I aim to offer a friendly and professional service where you can speak in confidence about what is troubling you and explore a way forward together.
I work in a counselling room in a GP surgery, light, airy and comfortably furnished. I will meet you in the reception area and show you the way to my room, water is provided from a cooler should you wish it and a 'loo' is nearby. There is disabled access and a lift available.
I am an integrative counsellor using Person centred and psychodynamic approaches towards an understanding of the individual. I provide both long term and time limited therapy on a one to one basis. I work with adults over the age of 18 years old.
In addition to using a traditional approach I am also interested in the use of photographs and visual images in therapy and have trained and attended international conferences on this subject.
Training, Qualifications & Experience
BSc Pschology (1979) Exeter
MSc Counselling and psychotherapy (2002) Surrey
BACP accreditation (2006)
Experience: I have undertaken training and attended conferences as part of CPD including the following
Anger management (2007) SDS with Paul Grantham
CBT course [8 weeks] (2006-2007) Oxford Cognitive Therapy centre
Work wih Sexual minorities (2009) Pink Therapy
Mindfulness [8weeks] (2009) M Chakalston
Phototherapy, Leonardo project conferences and training at Universities of Turku (Finland) and Roehampton (London) 2009-2011
As a therapist working in the NHS for over 10 years I have worked with people from a wide variety of backgrounds and with many different problems. These include an age range from teens to people over 80 years old, different ethnic and cultural groups and people with disabilities/chronic illness. I have always been inspired by my clients courage in the face of considerable difficulties and believe there is always hope for constructive change and growth and for a happier life.
I have experience working with problems of low confidence/low self esteem, anger, relationship issues, sexual problems and relationship difficulties, anxiety and depression.
Although I consider myself and integrative practitioner I have experience of using CBT for stress, anxiety and depression. I have been conducting psycho-educational groups as part of the NHS team on these subjects.
Areas of counselling I deal with
- Abortion
- Affairs and Betrayals
- Anger Management
- Anxiety
- Bereavement
- Bullying
- Cancer
- Depression
- Domestic Violence
- Emotional Abuse
- Gender Identity
- Generalised Anxiety
- Low Self-Confidence
- Low Self-Esteem
- Panic Disorder
- Physical Abuse
- Postnatal Depression
- Relationship Issues
- Separation and Divorce
- Sexual Abuse
- Sexual Issues
- Sexuality
- Spirituality
- Stress
- Work Related Issues
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Phototherapy as a means to self understanding and exploration. This involves using photographs in a variety of ways to explore identity, hopes, dreams and fears. I have a set of images or 'spectro cards' that can be used for therapeutic work or clients can bring in their family photo's or perhaps keep a photo diary of their experiences.
Creativity and imagination are a vital part of what it means to be human and are often ignored in our medicalised and technology driven 'quick fix' culture. Using and making pictures can often express something more than expected, when words fail us an image can convey multiple and complex meaning and perhaps show the way towards a new way of understanding who we are and where we are going.
Therapies Offered
- Psychoanalytical and Psychodynamic - Psychodynamic Therapy
- Humanistic Therapies - Person-Centred Counselling
- Other Therapies - Integrative
- Existential Therapy
Fees
£50.00 per session concessions available for students and unemployed.
Further Information
Feel free to text me to arrange an initial phone call at a mutually convenient time. I will then call you for a five minute chat to answer any questions you might have and to decide if you'd like to work with me. My phone will be switched off when I'm working with clients.
Alternatively feel free to e-mail
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