Emma Weston

ABOUT MY PRACTICE

I believe in creating a safe and confidential space to allow you to explore any issues that you wish to bring to therapy. I am a registered, insured, qualified counsellor and an accredited member of The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and I adhere to their ethical framework for the Counselling Professions. I am warm, sincere, caring, and non judgemental. I have an interest in autism and neurodiversity and this was the topic of my Master's research. 

We all experience times when things aren't going the way we might like. We can find ourselves anywhere from a bit grey and unhappy to extremely dark and depressed, overwhelmed, stressed and spun out. We can get stuck in negative patterns of thinking which are difficult to break, become worried or anxious about the future, or unable to reconcile past decisions. A neutral space to think and feel can be extremely useful. People come to counselling for a variety of reasons; it may be that you would like to:

• Develop better self awareness
• Work through a loss, bereavement, relationship break-up, or redundancy
• Increase your confidence, self-esteem or self-image
• Work on patterns of behaviour that may be causing you concern
• Discuss feelings of depression, anxiety, sadness, loneliness or emptiness
• Find more of a sense of purpose in life, to feel less stuck
• Try and resolve some issues from the past
• Feel more comfortable expressing your sexuality
  Work through a situation currently affecting your work life
• Develop a better understanding of your relationship issues, your partner and yourself
• Be able to resolve a family conflict
  Talk about something you have been bottling up
• Work on social skills to connect with people and make lasting friendships and relationships
• Develop better communication skills
• Be more assertive

Counselling may be able to offer insights into these and other concerns in a safe, confidential, genuine, accepting and non-judgmental environment. Contact me for a free telephone consultation.

A NEURODIVERSITY-AFFIRMATIVE APPROACH

Neurodiversity is the diversity of human minds and variations are ‘normal’ and ‘valuable’ with neurodiversity being the concept that neurological differences are to be recognised and respected as any other human variation. The term ‘neurodiversity’ was coined by the Australian sociologist Judy Singer in 1998, and stands in opposition of viewing people as ‘suffering’ from deficits, diseases or dysfunctions in their mental processing, suggesting instead that we speak about differences in cognitive functioning. The term ‘neurodiverse’ includes attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyscalculia, dyslexia, dyspraxia, various mental health issues such as depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety issues, acquired memory losses, Tourette’s and other neurominorities. Rooted in the social model of disability, neurodiversity sees disability as entrenched in society rather than the individual, and proponents of the neurodiversity movement want to make it easier for all neurodiverse people to be able to contribute to society as they are rather than how society would want them to. 

I use a neurodiversity-affirmative approach to working with my clients. My belief is that neurodiversity is a part of human diversity that doesn't need to be fixed. We need diversity in all forms as it makes the world a far richer place.  Ableism refers to attitudes in society that devalue and limit the potential of people that are neurodivergent. It assumes that a neurotypical way of being is the norm, this can lead to neurodivergent people thinking their way of being in the world is wrong or unacceptable and therefore they mask and try to fit in. This can leave people feeling drained and exhausted trying to conform to neurotypical rules or expectations that are socially enforced expectations of behaviour. This can lead to stress and anxiety as well as autistic fatigue and burnout. Here is a link on autistic fatigue for more information: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/mental-health/autistic-fatigue/autistic-adults  

Counselling can help with things like: Coping strategies, developing assertive communication, learning about appropriate boundaries, learning self-advocacy skills, developing better self esteem, challenging cognitive distortions, relaxation techniques, developing self-awareness and self-acceptance, understanding difference, looking at self care and energy accounting (to ensure you set manageable limits on your energy levels so you do not deplete yourself to the point of burnout), understanding self and identity, and exploring relationship issues. My role is to work alongside you, with acceptance, care and understanding and help to encourage you to celebrate your strengths. A lot of my work is often about forming and maintaining healthy relationships. 

SUPERVISION FOR COUNSELLORS

I offer integrative supervision for established counsellors and therapists. I also supervise students in training. I believe supervision should be a collaborative working partnership, where therapists can discuss not only their day-to-day client work, but also their professional and academic development, in a safe and restorative environment.

Supervision is essential to maintain our well being and ensure good practice throughout our working life. It provides us with regular and ongoing opportunities to reflect in depth about all aspects of our practice in order to work as effectively, safely and ethically as possible. Supervision also sustains our personal resourcefulness which is required to undertake the work.

Please get in touch to discuss your supervision requirements.

TRAINING

In addition to my counselling training I hold a teaching qualification. I have worked for a Counselling and Psychotherapy Awarding Body/Examinations Board, upholding professional standards in counselling education. I have experience in assessing, moderating and standardising counselling qualifications from levels 2 to 6. I am able to offer a range of bespoke training courses so please get in touch if you have a training need.

My Master's research was about working therapeutically with neurodivergent people.

I am experienced in working with loss, grief and bereavement as well as working with people at end of life.

My daytime fees are £70.00 per 50 minute session for individuals. I offer discounted rates to counsellors in training. I have a small number of concessionary spaces and there is often a waiting list for these.

Supervision - Please feel free to contact me if you wish to know more or would like to book an initial appointment. 

Please feel free to take a look around my profile, or my website www.emmawstoncounselling.com and please email me to arrange a time for us to speak. I am happy to offer a free initial call to determine if we are a good fit. Once I receive your email, I will then come back to you with suggested times for a free phone or Zoom call - whichever works best for you.

I am currently only available online

When I receive an enquiry I aim to respond within 48 hours. Enquiries will receive a reply during weekday office hours. If I receive an enquiry on a Friday or at the weekend, I will respond on a Monday or Tuesday. Occasionally emails go into junk mail and I aim to check my junk mail once a week. 

Please see my website for further information: www.emmawestoncounselling.com