Christopher Pollock
Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.
This professional is currently not accepting new clients at this time.
This professional is currently not accepting new clients at this time.
About me
I am a counsellor & psychotherapist who can help you resolve issues that stop you achieving your full potential.
My training and personal style are humanistic -- which means I am primarily concerned to meet your needs, listening carefully and compassionately, without judging. It is very important to me that I practise ethically, and that I preserve your confidentiality as strictly as possible.
I usually work with individuals in weekly sessions of fifty minutes for as long as we agree is appropriate (a minimum of about eight sessions is normal), or with couples for a more limited number of longer sessions a few weeks apart.
In normal times, I have worked in a comfortable room on a quiet residential street in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, with easy on-street parking. Since the start of the pandemic, I have been working online, via Zoom or phone. I am also now working face to face, with additional attention to health precautions.
I have experience of helping with issues including bereavement and loss, relationships, depression, anxiety and stress, sex and sexuality, dealing with trauma, managing anger and rage, self-esteem, confidence, shame, and addictions.
The common background to all of these is that we all need to feel heard and understood, and to feel a connection with another. I can provide that, in a safe and private space, independent of your family and friends.
Training, qualifications & experience
I have a Masters in Psychotherapy, a Diploma in Psychotherapy, a Diploma in Counselling, a Certificate in Counselling Skills, and a Certificate in Counselling Supervision. I also attend other training sessions on a regular basis.
My training has mainly been in Transactional Analysis, also known as TA. This has elements of cognitive and behavioural therapies, while also paying attention to relationship and psychodynamic characteristics. (If that sounds like a mouthful, don't worry! -- the theory is to help me serve you better, not for you to learn.)
I have also completed the first level of training in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), and had training in areas such as solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT).
I am an Accredited Member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), and I follow their ethical code. Through the BACP, I am also on the voluntary Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists approved by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care.
I have been offering counselling and psychotherapy since 2003, and I have worked with a wide range of clients on a wide range of issues. I have worked in private practice, in a general counselling agency, and in a university counselling service. I have also worked with companies and insurance agencies.
In addition, I have considerable life experience, including time spent as a volunteer at a psychiatric unit in a local hospital.
Member organisations
school 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.
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
Therapies offered
Fees
Additional information
I offer a free initial session of 30 minutes, to give an opportunity of finding out what it would be like to work together.
My standard fee is currently £50 per 50 minute session (for individuals), and £75 per 75 minute session (for couples) -- but talk to me if you have concerns about costs.
I can accept payment by cash, card (in person or via the web), cheque, PayPal or bank transfer.
When I work
Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Morning | |||||||
Afternoon | |||||||
Evening | |||||||
Night |
Tuesdays and Wednesdays, including early evenings.
Further information
My main concern is to establish a good relationship with you, to listen, and to work with you to help you understand how you think, feel and behave. Then we can work together to help you find ways to change, if that seems right.
I am especially interested in how mindfulness can help resolve mental health difficulties.