Maxine Alton

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Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

Hartlepool, Durham, TS25
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

Hello, my name is Maxine and I offer a holistic approach to counselling. The environment I like to work in is warm, trusting and supportive in a private and safe place which helps and supports individuals who are struggling with any difficulties, dilemmas, preoccupations or obstacles to happiness.

I am a highly experienced counsellor & clinical supervisor and I have been practising since 2010.  I work integratively, which means I utilise a whole host of different therapies to creatively support and meet your individual needs/wants. Furthermore, the warm and open environment I work in provides an opportunity to talk in confidence. I will fully support you and together we can explore what is happening for you at the moment, find a way to move forward and help you live a happier life, where you feel empowered to manage life's 'ups and downs'.

Additionally, I have valuable experience, knowledge and understanding of working with young people, adults and couples. 

I believe in a therapeutic relationship and working collaboratively, which involves both you & I developing a connection, identifying your goals and areas for growth & development.

Member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)
BACP Certificate of Proficiency
Full Insurance
Enhanced Disclodure & Barring Service (DBS) Certificate

Training, qualifications & experience

Professional Qualifications

  • Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) Trainer
  • Couples Counselling Training
  • Certificate in Clinical Supervision
  • Certificate in Mindfulness
  • BA (Hons) Degree Therapeutic Counselling
  • Foundation Degree in Arts with Commendation in Counselling

Training

  • Walking Therapy
  • Mental Health First Aid
  • ASIST Suicide Intervention Skills Training
  • Mindfulness
  • Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) Practitioner
  • Counselling Skills for Bereavement and Loss

Experience

My work history is very different and diverse, which has evolved beautifully and provided me with a wealth of experience.

I have practised as:

  • SEN (Special Education Needs) Teacher, a College and University Lecturer (teaching Counselling, Holistic Therapies and other Foundation Degrees)
  • Counsellor in both primary and secondary schools
  • Trainer/Facilitator for a well known Mental Health organisation delivering courses within the community for individuals struggling with their mental health
  • Counsellor in a homeless refuge working with addictions
  • Supervisor supporting both counsellors and trainee counsellors
  • Co-founder of a local charity supporting family, friends and colleagues who experienced a loss to suicide or traumatic bereavement
  • Clinical Lead managing a team of counsellors.

Furthermore, I trained as a Couples Counsellor through Jesmond Therapy Centre and work with couples. The knowledge and experience I have learned through working with couples also enhances my individual work.

I believe all my experiences especially my earlier work as a Complementary Therapist have undoubtedly enriched 'my way of being' and enabled me to be truly Humanistic Counsellor.

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

Fees

£55.00 per session
Free initial telephone session

Concessions offered for

  • Low income
  • Keyworkers
  • OAPs
  • Students
  • Trainee counsellors
  • Unemployed
  • Refugees

Additional information

Counselling Fees

The initial consultation involves a free 10 minute telephone conversation and following this, counselling sessions are either face to face, telephone or video calls for which my fee is £55 per session (sessions are 50mins).  Couples Counselling is £75 per session (sessions are 90mins).

For the first counselling session I require a non-refundable payment to secure the appointment. Furthermore, any subsequent sessions I ask that you pay for each session on the day by bank transfer (I do not accept debit or credit cards).

Please note, I require at least 24hrs notice for the cancellation of appointments. All late cancellations will incur the standard session fee.

I can offer reduced rates for individuals on lower incomes at my discretion.

Students undertaking a Counselling Course which requires, or benefits from personal therapy, or placement Supervision, can benefit from reduced fees for regular sessions.

The counselling sessions would be for 50 minutes duration and the number of sessions required would be agreed in advance and reviewed regularly.

Supervision Fees

Individual Supervision Rate - Trainee £55
Group Supervision Rate (minimum 3 people) - Trainee £45
Individual Supervision Rate - Professional £75
Group Supervision Rate (minimum 3 people) - Professional £55

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

I am quite flexible regarding availability, I can offer daytime and evening appointments.

Further information

I feel that when choosing a therapist it is very important that you choose the one that you feel comfortable with. The initial consultation will provide us with an opportunity to chat, get to know each other a little, experience the environment I work in and how I like to work.

If you feel that this would appeal to you, contact me and we will set up an initial introductory session.

Hartlepool, Durham, TS25

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Types of client

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

Online platforms

Whatsapp
Zoom

Supervision

In person
Online
Phone

As a supervisor I offer a supportive, warm & safe space for you to discuss your client workload and together work creatively to enrich your practice.

View supervision profile

Maxine Alton
Maxine Alton