Christopher Pollock
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 investigating options for minimizing the risks associated with returning to work face to face.)
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
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.
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
BACP is one of the UK’s largest professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy. Therapists registered with the Association fall into a number of different membership categories such as Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP and Registered Member MBACP (Accred), each standing for different levels of training and experience. MBACP (Accred) and MBACP (Snr Accred) members have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by the Association.
Registered members can be found on the BACP Register, which was the first register to achieve Accredited Voluntary Register status issued by the Professional Standards Authority. Individual Members will have completed an appropriate counselling and/or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but will not appear on the BACP Register until they've progressed to Registered Member MBACP status.
All members are bound by a Code of Ethics & Practice and a Complaints Procedure. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Accredited register membership
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.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
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 £45 per 50 minute session (for individuals), and £68 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, OSU weblink, PayPal or bank transfer.
Availability
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Mondays to 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.
