Liz Bunting

Hello, my name is Liz Bunting, I am a UKCP Accredited Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist working in Cheshire. I provide individuals with Nature based therapy, outdoors on peaceful Forest walks. Shinrin-Yoku or ‘Forest Bathing’ is surrounding oneself with nature, slowing down the stressful, hectic, technology filled pace of life to be able to just ‘be’, practicing mindfulness with some meditation. 

I have extensive experience since 2012 specialising in providing Integrative Psychotherapy working with adolescents & young adults age 16 – 29 who are struggling. I provide a therapeutic space for individuals to explore and express themselves and their troubles in a psychologically & emotionally safe & consistent place. I recognise that it is a significant psychological step to make the decision to attend therapy which can feel daunting. This is natural and clients often tell me during the first session this passes quickly and feels much more comfortable than they could have imagined.

My therapeutic approach is Integrative, this means I draw from a variety of theories and then select the most useful & relevant one or combination that is most effective to each individual’s need and preferred way of working. This often begins developing a therapeutic relationship to understand and work through some of the issues; it may include interventions using metaphor – depending on the goals and interests of each individual client.  

Clients with whom I have worked with over the years have attended with the following difficulties

·       Anger

 ·      Anxiety

·       Boundaries

·       Decision Making

·       Depression or Low Mood

·       Difficulties with friendships & relationships

·       Effective communication

·       Stress  

·       Grief & loss

·       Low mood, Self esteem/Confidence

·       Motivation

·       Problems with School 

·       Resilience

·       Trust

·       Transitions

In addition to being UKCP Accredited, I am also a Registered MBACP – it is important to find a therapist who is fully qualified and meets the professional standards for training and has the relevant experience and knowledge to work ethically. Anyone can call themselves a counsellor or psychotherapist and set up in private practice as it is not a protected title in the UK. These directories list members who choose to pay to advertise their services and have completed a core practitioner training as follows: (I have completed the following core practitioner training and continue to be accredited by: )

BACP British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy 

·       1- 2 years training

·       100 hours on supervised placement

·        no personal therapy required

·       https://www.bacp.co.uk/therapists/374777/elizabeth-bunting/nantwich-cw5

UKCP UK Council for Psychotherapy 

·       5 years training

·       250 hours supervised placement 

·       40 hours per year personal therapy during the 5 years training

·       Ongoing supervision, CPD & training

·       5 Year Re-Accreditation Process submitting evidence of above

·       https://www.psychotherapy.org.uk/therapist/elizabeth-jane-bunting-iak6gaas/

My journey of providing counselling began with volunteering with ChildLine/NSPCC in Manchester 2006 and from there I completed training placements with Beacon Counselling a charity based in Bramhall, Stockport and within the NHS as part of a primary mental health team. 

Kaleidoscope Psychotherapy was founded in 2012, in Hale, Manchester. From 2016 I provided a variety of indoor and outdoor therapy in the county of Cheshire with the addition of online therapy from Mar 2020. Currently the majority of my clients attend outdoor Forest & Nature based therapy in beautiful & peaceful natural spaces such Bickerton Hills & Peckforton Hills & a private wood in Malpas.

The impact of Covid in 2020 has meant that many young people have missed out on some of the natural stages of their development.  As a result of routines being restricted, a lack of choice and control, a huge move to online for education, socialisation and most therapy too, the isolation seems to have created some issues. 

Young people have a heightened sense of acute anxiety, the thought of college University or work is overwhelming, some have forgotten the activities they used to partake in, be good at and have fun doing, believing they have lost the skills and confidence to make and maintain friendships and relationships in person. Their self image, belief and confidence is impacted by social media, which feeds them a constant stream of information and images that are often negative at best and harmful at worst. 

Communication has changed between young people, affecting their relationships with siblings and parents too. There have been losses, of loved ones, of relationships that have changed and of the freedoms we perhaps took for granted.

My belief is that every individual has the personal ability to live a constructive life and continue to develop across their lifespan, given the optimal environment of therapy that is solution- focused, with a focus on relational skills and a raising of personal awareness and accountability.

Every person only needs to be prepared to commit to put in the effort to change the things that aren’t working for them, with assistance and support from myself. We move through a treatment plan to establish what the issues are, identify areas of strength and for improvement to achieve the goals. Being outside in the fresh air, working with the metaphor of the natural environment, learning life skills build confidence and mental resilience.

Clients who have experienced the beneficial effects of therapy with Kaleidoscope Psychotherapy include athletes at Club, Regional, County, England, GB and International levels of sports in the following fields

·           Basketball

·           Cricket

·            Football

·           Hockey: Field & Ice

·           Swimming

·           Volleyball

F.A.Q

Q. What age do you work with?

A. Age 16 - 29 Adolescents & Emerging Adults

Q. How do we begin?

A. Please email liz@kaleidoscopepsychotherapy.co.uk with a brief overview of your worries, concerns & age of the person requiring therapy. I aim to respond to any enquiries within 24 hours of receiving your email. I do my best to be flexible & often am able to offer an initial telephone assessment of 25 minutes within the first week, thereafter I can offer regular psychotherapy sessions, whether that be online or in person within a week of the first contact call.

Q. How do I pay?

A. I require payment to be made in advance of the initial assessment call to secure the appointment. This ensures you know that time is booked for specifically for you and that I am committing my time, focus and attention solely on you and the issues you need to bring to therapy.

Q. What does the assessment involve?

A. The assessment is simply a discussion that gives you the client the opportunity to talk a bit about what is troubling you, any questions you may have about therapy & the way I work specifically & also for me to ask you a few questions about your symptoms, relevant physical or mental health issues & for us to establish that we will work well together.

Q. How long are the sessions?

A. I offer sessions in length of 25 minutes, 50 minutes, or 75 minutes, please enquire via email for relevant fees.

Q. How long does therapy last?

A. This varies depending on the following

·           Difficulties or trauma a person is experiencing

·            The length of time & intensity the issues have been affecting the person seeking therapy

·           The age of the client 

·           Ciient’s goal(s)

Some individuals require weekly therapy sessions for 6 -12 months, when symptoms reduce we review & there is an option to move to fortnightly or monthly. 

However other people decide after attending weeks or months of psychotherapy that a check in as & when they need it can be very effective. This might be monthly or less frequent. 

This works because they have done the work in their original therapy to process or work through their difficulties and implemented healthy changes and coping mechanisms. 

Then when events happen in life that cause more stress, anxiety &/or trauma such as bereavement or significant transitions like house move or changes in relationships, it can be a relief to know they have someone with whom they have already built up a trusting, unbiased relationship that they can turn to.

Q. What is your cancellation policy?

A. 48 hours notice is required; less notice will incur the full session fee. This ensures that appointments are available for individuals who are available to attend & gives me time & flexibility to accommodate them. 

From November through January I offer online only sessions.                                  From January through October I offer in person Forest & Nature based therapy sessions and/or online sessions. 

I hold an Enhanced DBS/CRB clearance confirming my suitability to work with vulnerable adults and adolescents. I hold Professional Liability/Indemnity Insurance and am recognised with Health Care Insurance Providers including Aviva, AXA and WPA.

Testimonials

"My daughter has told me that you both felt the same about the progress made.... it feels like the end of an era and somehow a bit sad!! She is growing up and moving on. I can't say enough to express how fortunate we feel to have had you available to support our family. My daughter has been comfortable with you from day one and always looked forward to seeing you, never resisting at all. We have seen an incredible turnaround in her state of mind and she is clearly able to cope and manage in a way she couldn't before.  We discussed how this experience has shown her that therapy is always an option through life as she gets older, now that she has had this positive experience at a young age . 

I could imagine potentially reaching out to you if needed in the future so won't hesitate to do so." 

I have noticed a huge transformation in both (my children since they attended therapy). They are open, honest and have more confidence. I am so grateful for the boost you gave them and the safe place you offered.

I'll be keeping a close eye on them both and won't hesitate to call you if needed. Thank you x."

"Thank you for all of your help and support for my daughter. I know that   found it extremely valuable.

It has challenged her at times to work through some issues, but above all she has been able to put mechanisms in place to help her with life. Thank you and best wishes." 

We engaged Liz to help our young son who was struggling to express his emotions and feelings to such a degree that it was having a huge negative impact on his schooling as well as making home life very difficult. 

From the first session our son found Liz easy to talk to and at our update meetings we learnt some of what our son had previously been unable to express which meant that we could make changes within our family life to support our son in ways that we had not been aware of.  By sharing some of what we had learnt with his teacher, changes were also made at school.  As the weeks went by we began to see a change, and the once sad, isolated boy became more confident and was able to share how he felt and how the actions and words of others made him feel. 

Liz was very supportive throughout, our son really valued the sessions and we have seen a real change in him and that is why we would not hesitate to recommend Liz and this type of therapy."

"When we were first introduced to Liz our eldest daughter was suffering from post traumatic stress resulting from experiencing anaphaltic shock whilst on holiday

Liz has been fantastic in helping her getting back on her feet through the support, and therapeutic techniques she has taught her. She is much improved two years on and for that we thank Liz in assisting her on the journey to recovery." 

"It is difficult to put into words how Liz helped our family.  At such a difficult time for our daughter, Liz provided a safe and trusting bond with her in which she felt she could express all of her feelings and overcome them.  She has since grown into a confident and caring young adult. 

I couldn’t recommend Liz highly enough.  Liz’s love of horses was also an integral part of their bonding as my daughter also has that same bond with horses and we have found horses provide such a calming and therapeutic relationship with people.  A genuine professional lady with whom you can trust your young family members with."

"I asked Liz to help my son following a sudden bereavement, complicated by his high-pressured lifestyle, resulting in an anxious boy, angry and frightened by an unpredictable, unfair world.

My son felt safe with Liz and respected her expertise. This was very important. With clear and reassuring explanations we agreed our objectives and expectations. From then on I was happy and relieved to hand my son into her therapeutic care each week.

Gradually the sessions became less frequent, and my son became less of a perfectionist, in control of his anger and able to let go of his feelings of responsibility for other peoples safety. He is now a happy, confident, popular young man. He still uses the strategies when he feels stressed. I am very grateful to Liz for helping and making the whole family happier." 

Fees vary depending on your requirements for individual or group therapy or professional development.  £50 is for 25 minutes, £95 is for 50 minutes. Kaleidoscope Psychotherapy also collaborates with Spartan Survival for Monthly Residential Weekend Bushcraft courses teaching Life Skills with Elite Military Indstructors. Email for price & dates of upcoming course.