Nick Muggridge
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Seeking counselling is a significant step. As an Integrative Humanistic Counsellor I will provide you with a warm, safe and confidential place, where you can take time to talk about whatever is on your mind, or troubling you. I have extensive experience working with teenagers (young people 11 - 18yrs), young adults, adults and seniors. My aim is to work alongside you, actively listening to understand your experience, your emotions; your world.
As our therapeutic relationship and trust develops I will help you explore your initial thoughts, non-judgementally; sometimes gently challenging or checking out assumptions, constraints or blockages. For some clients reaching new insights or perspectives is valuable enough, though for many this is an important first step before considering taking action or making changes in their lives or relationships.
As a Humanistic Counsellor I believe in the innate capacity of all individuals to grow and change, when they are ready and when that is what they want. That said, sometimes people feel anxious, confused or stuck, and need support to regain their balance, confidence and sense of direction.
I work non-directively; I will not generally tell you what to do, more help you work towards discovering that for yourself, and take personal responsibility for any decisions you take. Where appropriate, I will also help you work out or even practice how you will take any action.
Counselling sessions are usually for 50 - 60 minutes, and occur at weekly intervals, to allow time for you think about and process whatever was presented and discussed in the session. In each session it is up to you to decide what to focus upon; sometimes continuing a previous discussion, or introducing a wholly new topic, thoughts or emotions; or simply what is on your mind at that moment.
Though I expect to be able to work with most clients, should I feel that I am not the right counsellor for you, I will discuss this with you and endeavor to refer you to a counsellor or another professional who is more appropriate. (N.B. I do not currently work with private clients under 11 years of age.) Your choice of counsellor is important and you may well want to contact and see more than one counsellor before deciding who you feel most comfortable working with.
Training, qualifications & experience
MBACP - Member of the British Association for Counsellors & Psychotherapists & the Accredited Register
Diploma in Integrative Humanistic Counselling - Wealden College & University of Chichester
Certificate in Counselling Skills - Chichester College
TA101 Transactional Analysis, Inner Child, Rackets,
Introduction to creative therapies; sand-tray, painting & clay
Introduction to trauma & recovery
Basic safeguarding awareness (young people or vulnerable adults)
Awareness of Child Abuse & Neglect
Working with adolescents
Basic Dementia training
Self-harm, self care & the way between
Understanding sex addiction & pornography
Narcissists and their children. - made not born
Boarding school syndrome. - trauma of the privileged child
Walking a tight rope. - working with risky behaviours in adolescence
Understanding child sexual abuse. (victims & abusers)
I have been practising as a counsellor for several years, following on from a successful career in a variety of senior business roles. I have worked with a wide range of clients, from diverse backgrounds, including young people and elderly individuals. I have provided counselling in the voluntary sector, at secondary schools in Lancing, for the West Sussex Youth Service & Connexions in Worthing, and for Age Concern in Brighton & Hove, as well as current voluntary youth work.
My private practice "Counselling Now" is based in the market town of Steyning, operating primarily from my own counselling suite, and additionally from the purpose built group practice Steyning Health Centre for those with mobility issues.
Member organisations
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
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.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Seeking new partners
Loneliness & isolation
Adolescent issues
Computer gaming / pornography addiction
Co-dependency
Parenting issues (e.g. teenagers)
Narcissism
Therapies offered
Fees
£45.00 per session
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Brief introductory telephone call - Free of charge
Full Introductory Session (50-60 mins). £45
Individual Sessions (50 - 60 mins) £45 depending on counselling location
N.B. Concessionary rates may be available to students & those on low incomes
When I work
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Further information
Private counselling is often available at short-notice, and can be brief or long-term therapy. Once we have mutually agreed to work together, after the free introductory session, we will normally agree to an initial set of sessions, typically 3 - 6, to start the counselling process. You will then decide if you want and are ready for more sessions for longer-term / deeper therapy.
For clients new to "talking therapies", it's worth saying that counselling is not magic, and is rarely a quick fix. It takes time for the counsellor and client to develop the level of trust, empathy and rapport to fully understand and explore current concerns or life imbalances. Many clients are amazed by the therapeutic power of their counselling experience, feeling a sense of relief, clarity and greater empowerment in their lives!
As a qualified member of BACP, I am fully committed to and observe their professional ethics, standards and codes of practice. I am fully insured and have a current & on-going enhanced DBS (formerly CRB) certificate.
