Yvonne McPartland
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This professional is available for new clients.
About me
I am a highly experienced compassionate and empathic counsellor/psychotherapist/EMDR practitioner. I work with individuals, currently on Zoom. I am also available for supervision.
In counselling, I worked for several enjoyable years as the deputy head of the University of Cambridge's Staff Counselling Centre, privately, including at a GP practice, at three counselling agencies and for Relate, including working at two secondary schools.
Working as part of an "in-house" counselling team at the University gave me invaluable insight as to the rhythm of the organisation and its impact on staff. I loved contributing to setting strategy for the Centre, managing and clinically supervising therapists of diverse therapeutic modalities, and delivering training, workshops and reflective practice to University staff.
Training and workshops included Anxiety Management, Stress management, Mindfulness, Kindness and Suicide Prevention. I continue to offer presentations and training to companies and organisations.
I was also providing clinical sessions - counselling and EMDR (Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing - a highly effective evidence-based NHS approved treatment for PTSD among other issues) to staff at every level in the University. The working frame was eight to ten sessions, which was highly effective, and in private practice this short-term model also makes therapy far more accessible.
I have previously worked in the financial sector, the education sector and as the vice chair of a developing world charity in the voluntary sector. I strongly believe that this diverse career enriches the therapy that I offer.
Perhaps you are nervous about taking the first step - a position that I totally understand. An initial consultation gives you an opportunity to find out if I am the right therapist for you, with no obligation to continue. You may know exactly what brings you to counselling or you may be confused and in need of clarity. Either way, counselling offers you an opportunity to explore issues in a safe and confidential environment, and you may be surprised at the difference that it can make to your life.
In my counselling practice, I aim to provide a non-judgemental space in which we can look at whatever is causing you concern. We will work together to talk through issues, enhance your self-understanding and possibly identify changes that you may choose to make in order to improve your quality of life and the relationships around you.
Therapy may help you to see why you are the way you are, and why you respond to events the way you do, leading to better understanding of your thoughts, feelings and behaviours. This can lead to self-compassion, quietening the inner critic but also, crucially, open up the possibility of finding new ways of being and relating, and enjoying a more satisfying and authentic experience of life going forward.
EMDR may enable you to finally recover from the impact of traumatic experiences in your life; for example accidents, abuse, witnessing distressing events.
My various trainings have made me flexible in my approach and able to tailor my work to your needs. I do believe that some exploration of the past can be invaluable for understanding the present and creating a better future. Feel free to get in touch.
Training, qualifications & experience
My core training is Psychodynamic and led to an Advanced Diploma in Counselling from the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education. I completed training placements in Harlow and Letchworth. Post qualification, I gained accreditation with the BACP, and have worked for several years in private practice in a GP setting and in a counselling agency in Newmarket. I trained to work with Young People with Relate and spent three years working with students at secondary schools in Essex as well as running training sessions to support separated couples.
My couples counselling training was Person-centred, gaining me an Advanced Post-Diploma Certificate. I am trained (Choices) in working with adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse and am undertaking Petals training to support those bereaved by baby loss.
I have had extensive experience in working with bereavement generally, but also through the loss of a child (who may be grown up) and loss by suicide. I have been trained by MIND and by the Zero Suicide Alliance in suicide prevention, and each year I undertake appropriate training to stay up to date with this important work.
I consider continuing professional development as vital in upgrading my skills and knowledge, and have completed additional training in those areas of counselling in which I work, from bereavement and loss to Mindfulness, which very much influences my work with anxiety and stress and insomnia.
I have an upper second-class honours degree in Economics and Economic and Social History. Prior to my counselling career, I have many years of experience in teaching at secondary and undergraduate levels and before that, I worked in banking as well being a founding member and serving for 15 years as the volunteer vice chair of a developing world charity.
Member organisations
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.
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
Feelings of isolation, managing change, bay/child loss, ill-health, life stage/identity, lack of direction, Personal Development, communication difficulties.
Therapies offered
Fees
£85.00 - £95.00
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
My fees are reviewed annually and are currently
Individuals: £85 per 50 minute session
EMDR sessions are one hour long and cost £95
Please feel free to get in touch with me by email. I offer an optional free, short telephone or online conversation for you to decide if you wish to proceed with an Initial Consultation (same price as a standard session) with no obligation to continue.
When I work
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Further information
I offer counselling that is time-limited short-term work as well as open-ended longer-term, whichever is appropriate in your circumstances.
I require 48 hours notice of cancellation of appointments. Please get in touch for more information.
