Nikki Harris

Verified Professional Verified Professional
Verified Professional

Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.

Psychotherapist MA Psych., UKCP (reg), MBACP, BA(Hons) Psych
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

Elstree & Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, WD6 3PJ
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

As a result of my Integrative training and theoretical thinking, I view each client as an individual with their own unique experiences. Therefore, my therapeutic approach is not limited to simply one way of working.  Depending on your needs and requirements, I will provide a range of techniques and ways of working which are drawn from the diverse theories and approaches recognised within the field of Counselling and Psychotherapy today.  My approach relies on sensitive listening, open exploration, interactive engagement, respectful challenge and mutual participation in the process.  If appropriate, I encourage material that may be useful for you to bring to the sessions, ie: drawings, a record of dreams, journals, poems, music.

Relationship Counselling requires emapthy combined with neutrality.  Assisting conflicticted individuals to develp a degree of emapthy towards is each other is central to my work as a Couples Counsellor.  I use various techniques to help couples learn to listen to a greater level to their partner and to undersatnd and become aware that another perspective exists within the relationship.  Ideally I work with repair.  However, sometimes it is necessary to help couples to start to accept their realtionship cannot be repaired.  As a consequence I assist couples to work towards a healthy ending.

Confidentiality is absolutely central to my work as a therapist.  What is said in therapy remains confidential to the limits provided by law (essentially, where there is serious danger to anyones life) and even then would be considered very carefully before any disclosure was made.  In practice, it may be useful for your GP and/or someone very close to you to be aware that you are in psychotherapy / counselling and this is something which will be discussed with you if it appears appropriate.

As well as practicing from consulting rooms in Borehamwood and Elstree, Hertfordshire, I offer Counselling and Psychotherapy in the comfort of my clients' own homes. The reason for this is that I believe a safe and familiar environment helps towards building a relationship based on mutual trust and acceptance vital for the therapeutic process.  I cover the following areas: Elstree & Borehamwood, Mill,Hill, St. Albans, Watford, Bushey, Oxhey, Rickmansworth, Potters Bar, Stanmore, Edgware and surrounding areas.

After you make contact with me (by email or phone) and we arrange to meet, we will need to agree how long we will want to work together for.  It may be just a few sessions (usually 6 sessions as a minimum) or on an open-ended basis, depending on what feels right for you.  I believe it helps to work out a time-frame together from the outset, but nothing is set in stone, and we can always review how things are as they unfold.

Training, qualifications & experience

After gaining a BA (Hons) in Psychology at the University of Manchester, I began my professional life in Recruitment and subsequently Human Resources.  Both gave me my early experiences of listening to people's past and future motivations and ambitions, as well as exploring their potential.  These first few years working in the commercial field taught me the need for tact and empathy, both vital when working so closely with people.

Whilst working in Human Resources, I started studying part-time at The Minster Centre in London (accredited by Middlesex University), and in 2010, I gained an Advanced Diploma (Ad Dip) and Masters Degree (MA) in Integrative Psychotherapy & Counselling.

I have also completed level 2 in Emotional Freedom Technique and currently working towards an accreditation.

2020-2022 I worked as School Counsellor at NLCS girls school for both the junior and senior schools. 

I am bound by The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) code of ethics, with whom I am registered and accredited and I am also a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). I am fully insured and my work is regularly supervised (one to one with a fully qualified and experienced supervisor).

I am a fully trained and experienced Bereavement Counsellor, which means I have specific understanding of the grieving process.  Together with my private pratice, I continue to enhance my ability to work across the board, short-term as well as long-term, counselling as well as psychotherapy, therapy for self-development as well as therapy with extreme states and mental-emotional pain.  My training will always continue, by means of attending regular courses, workshops and seminars.

Member organisations

Registered / Accredited

Registered / Accredited

Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.

UKCP
UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)

The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.

As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.

UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.

Accredited register membership

UK Council for 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.

UK Council for Psychotherapy

Fees

£90.00 per session

Concessions offered for

  • Trainee counsellors

Health Insurance/EAP

  • Aviva
  • BUPA
  • WPA
  • Vitality

Additional information

I see my clients in a consulting room within Allum Hall Manor House in Elstree Wd6 3PJ. Spacious room with ample parking.


I charge from £90 for individuals and from £120 for couples, per session, including the initial session.  Each individual session lasts for 50 minutes and each couple session lasts for one hour.  Sessions will be arranged for the same time each week, wherever possible.

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

Monday to Thursday 9am - 3pm

Evenings 7-10pm

Further information

My Areas of Work

I have 20 years training and experience with a range of issues and problems including :

  • Anxiety, Depression, stress, anxiety and panic attacks
  • Relationship / Couple Therapy
  • Bereavement, other loss or a major life change
  • Family and Relationship Issues
  • Issues relating to pregnancy pre and post related, including miscarriage, fertility issues and Post Natal Depression
  • 2 years working as School Counsellor at NLCS for both junior and senior schools. 
  • Anger Management
  • Transitions & loss - eg entering adulthood; mid-life; becoming a parent; relocation; loss of health; loss of status; loss of employment
  • Abuse - sexual, emotional, physical, mental
  • Loneliness
  • Crisis in identity - eg low self-esteem; shyness; poor body image; gender role conflict
  • Addictive or compulsive behaviour
  • Eating disorders
  • Issues relating to trauma, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Relationship and Marriage counselling

Allum Lane Community Centre, Manor House, 2 Allum Lane, Elstree, Elstree & Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, WD6 3PJ

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone
Home visits

Types of client

Young people
Adults
Older adults
Couples
Families

Key details

Wheelchair user access
Wheelchair user access

Wheelchair-accessible premises should have step-free access for wheelchair users and individuals who are unable to climb stairs. If a Counsellor's premises aren't step-free, they may offer alternative services such as telephone/web-based appointments, home visits, or meeting clients in different location, so you can choose the option that suits you best.

You can contact the Counsellor to discuss the options available.

Under the Equality Act 2010 service providers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that individuals with disabilities can access their service. You can read more about reasonable adjustments to help you to access services on the CAB website.

Nikki Harris
Nikki Harris