Debbie Howels
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
My private practice "Debbie Howels Counselling" offers a warm, homely, private and professional setting for clients wanting to share their difficulties, gain some insight or just talk. Sometimes clients arrive without really knowing what their problem is. They just feel unhappy, want to unload and talk to someone confidentially.
My own experience of counselling was so transformative I decided to train as a Humanistic Counsellor myself. Together with additional and on-going training and experience seeing clients in many different settings, I have developed a busy practice with strong ethics, and a keen interest in supporting others to have a similar life changing opportunity for change in their personal lives.
I encourage and educate clients to help them make the changes necessary and promote self confidence. This is always done with respect, compassion and consideration for the wishes of the client. Change happens when current thoughts, feelings and behaviours are challenged. This is possible with every client.
I am an Integrative Counsellor which means I make use of several theories, and varying practical techniques to support clients. My working strategy will be different with every client. I use relaxation and visualisation techniques very successfully to help with anxiety, stress and sleeping problems. CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) is sometimes used to complement my work. There are a wide variety of counselling modalities available to you. They all have something to offer. The most important aspect of counselling support is the rapport between you and your counsellor. Do ensure you feel happy with your choice before continuing. If you don't - move on and try another.
COUNSELLING
Counselling is becoming a more popular way of dealing with the stresses and strains of modern life. It can be a really useful and innovative solution to help with your problem. Many clients extend their sessions for Personal Development too!
If you are struggling with any sort of relationship issue, depression, anxiety, family issues, Post Natal Depression, SAD, an affair or betrayal, separation or divorce, anger management, emotional abuse, low self esteem or any emotional problem its very likely counselling will help. You might have experienced a loss or bereavement, have difficulty getting on with a friend or colleague at work, or generally feel very unhappy. Counselling can deal with these and many other issues.
THE FIRST SESSION
The first session will be an assessment and lasts about an hour. You can tell me why you are here and what you would like to get from coming to see me. I will ask you to fill in a questionnaire, and ask questions about your background and family. You can also ask me any questions you might have about your therapy or counselling in general. At the end of your first session you can decide whether you might find it useful. There is no obligation to continue!
Training, qualifications & experience
Counselling Skills Certificate,
Counselling Theory Certificate.
Advanced Diploma in Humanistic Counselling, (BACP accredited course) 2005
(Theories studied include Person Centred, Transactional Analysis, Gestalt, and Psychosynthesis).
NHS CBT training.
BACP Accreditation 2011 (This extensive assessment of practice demonstrates a practitioner has achieved a recognised high level of knowledge, experience and development)
UKRCP United Kingdom Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists
I regularly attend training seminars and update my skill base.
Previous relevant Experience
7 years in the Mental Health Community supporting Adults with Severe and Enduring Mental Health problems including eating disorders, Schizophrenia, Depression, and Bi-polar disorder.
Counselling experience
* Private Practice,
* GP surgery,
* Family Support Centre,
* Kent secondary schools,
* Charities,
* Employee Assistance Programs (EAP's)
* Counselling Frontline NHS workers
BUPA REGISTERED. Please bring your Membership and Pre-authorisation number with you when you attend your first consultation.
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
Therapies offered
Fees
£60.00 per session
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
Costs
£60 per 50 minute session.
Assessment sessions (normally longer) are charged at the same rate.
Longer sessions are charged pro rata.
I review my fees every year.
I am BUPA registered.
When I work
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Tuesdays Wednesdays & Thursdays 10 - 4, 6.30 - 8.30pm,
Further information
You can contact me by phone, text, e-mail, or via my website. (See address below). E-mail is usually the quickest.
I also offer Skype, Zoom or WhatsApp video sessions. This can be useful if you are running late or feel unwell, but would still like a session.
I am always happy to have a chat or answer any questions before you book an appointment.
Plenty of free parking spaces available on my road.
I have professional idemnity insurance.
I have an enhanced DBS check (formerly CRB)
I am a registered BACP Accredited counsellor MBACP (Accred).
You can also find me on the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists website www.bacp.co.uk. Just click on 'Seeking a therapist', list Sevenoaks as the area and my profile will be shown.
Visit my website (www.debbiehowelscounselling.co.uk) This was recently updated. Jan 2023.
There are a number of useful shops at the end of my road (some have extended opening hours)
