About me
It is at the turning points in our lives when counselling might particularly be able to help us.
They might be turning points forced upon us, such as bereavement, illness, or redundancy. Or it might be that we realise that we want to find a new direction for ourselves: to control our anger, ease our anxiety, or improve our relationships. Or we can see emotional challenges ahead such as retirement for older people.
These are all areas where I would like to have the chance to help you manage or create change, so that you can make good choices for the future.
Bringing my own experience
I have been in practice for 17 years, both privately and for voluntary organisations. This has given me a professional exposure to a really wide range of client issues.
But experience of life as a human helps too. All counsellors have lived life, of course. And I am no exception. I like to think that my own experience of career worries, relationship problems, and past ill-health, for example, all help me to relate well to the issues which clients might want to bring to their sessions.
How we might work together
Our first contact would probably be a phone call of 15 minutes or so to give you a chance to assess whether you might be comfortable working with me, and for me to check that I feel professionally competent to work on the issues which you might want to bring. That call would, of course, be free of charge.
In our first full session, face-to-face or by video, we would then go through a fairly full assessment to help me to understand your personal background.
Then, together, in a safe and confidential place, we will work on any deep-seated feelings and emotions which might be troubling you.
Through our work together, you will have the chance to look at your coping skills and how you might deal with change, loss and relationships in your career or personal life. You might want to look at how you relate to others too, as well as issues of personal awareness and growth.
As a client, you will always remain in charge of how we work and how many sessions you feel that you might need.
I am also able to offer counselling to couples wanting to work on their relationships and other family issues.
The working world
For clients with career and work-related issues, I can also draw on my previous experience as chief executive of two national organisations, and on my business school training. In addition, I work as a coach for those wanting help to get their careers on the right track. And I have experience in helping people manage the turning point of retirement.
I look forward to hearing from you, as you make the first step to change your life and navigate your personal turning points.
Training, qualifications & experience
I hold a Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy from Roehampton University. I also have a certificate in cognitive behavioural therapy and will suggest these techniques where they might be useful for the client.
For the past 17 years, I have also practised on a voluntary basis at a leading counselling charity in Hastings.
I am an accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and practise according to its code of ethics. I am also a registered independent counsellor on the UK Register of Counsellors/ Psychotherapists. I have professional insurance cover.
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
£50.00 per session
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I offer a free initial session of 20 minutes. After that, my fees for each 50 minute session are normally £50, or £60 for couples
When I work
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Further information
I practise mainly in the Isabel Blackman Centre, Winding Street TN34 3AT in Hastings Old Town. There is paid parking available close by. I also offer remote and telephone counselling for those clients for whom this might be more convenient.
I am generally able to offer evening appointments to clients. And for physically infirm clients I am willing to make home visits.
My mobile number is 07970 138334. Or you can email me on colquhounandrew89@gmail.com
