About me
Guiding Star Counselling - Independent female counsellor covering Merthyr Tydfil, (face to face) and remote counselling in Merthyr, Cardiff & the Vale of Glamorgan, Rhonnda Cynon Taff, Blaenau Gwent area. (Private practice set in Merthyr Tydfil).
Counselling from age 3 upwards (*All ages*) - incorporating Play Therapy Techniques with Children & Young People, where appropriate.
*Adults 1:1
*Couples
*Families
*Children & Young People
*Clinical Supervision
*Parenting
Training, qualifications & experience
MSc / PG Dip / PG Cert - Play & Therapeutic Play - 2008
PG Diploma Counselling - (Integrative) - 2004
Management - NVQ Level 4 - Barnardos Cymru - 2008
2008 - 2010 - Barnardos Cymru - Childrens Services Manager Level 1 & Childrens Counsellor (Sessional)
Jan 2010 - 2013 - School Based Counsellor with Blaenau Gwent CBC
2013 -(June - Present) predominantly - Private Practice
Clinical Supervisor.
Member organisations

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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
I specialise in: Adults Integrative Counselling, Trauma, Children and Young Peoples Counselling (& Incorporate a range of Play Therapy Techniques with Children & Young People - where appropriate); specialising in Sexual Abuse, Domestic Abuse, Self - Harm, Eating disorders, Self - Esteem, Adoption & Fostering (Systemic), and Family Therapy, Disability & SEN (Special Educational Needs).
I offer support and guidance throughout Family / Children's Therapy, with 'Parenting' skills and knowledge around Child Development.
I assist Multi - Agencies and key workers with Clinical Supervision, and EAP counselling.
Therapies offered
Fees
*PLEASE NOTE*: To begin any type of therapy - a “week in advance” approach will initiate the sessions; I.e. a ‘double fee’ (minimum £100) is to be paid at the very beginning, securing the first and the very last session. The in advance fee may be used in the event of a client cancelling outside of their contracted 48 hours notice. NO REFUNDS APPLY.
*REPORT WRITING - £200*
*Higher fees WILL apply, for Referrals from Insurers, Health Companies and for Occupational Therapies, via EAP*
*ALL COUNSELLING - £50 - £200 (PER 50 MIN SESSION)
*Coronavirus - FaceTime / Telephone / Zoom sessions - 30 mins = £25 50 mins = £50
*COUPLES - £70
*FAMILY THERAPY - £100 - £200 (per session, dependant on number of relatives)
*PLAY THERAPY - AGE 3 - 18 (and upwards, if necessary) - £60
*FILIAL THERAPY (one adult, one child) £100
*CLINICAL SUPERVISION - £70 - £100 PER 1.5 HOURS EACH MONTH (IN LINE WITH BACP REQUIREMENTS: www.bacp.co.uk/supervision)
*STUDENT SUPERVISION (I.D. or STUDENTS NUMBER REQUIRED) - £50 PER HOUR / £75 PER 1.5 HOURS EACH MONTH)
(Discounted rates for Student Supervision, or for practitioners in partial placement as a volunteer or unpaid therapist).
Rates discussed upon booking an appointment. Concessions are offered to key workers (those who work for our NHS)
Concessions offered for
Further information
I assist front line workers in Clinical Supervision (Teachers, Police Officers, Emergency Services and Social Workers, YOT and Domestic Abuse Practitioners).
I offer support and guidance to Carers.
I have been a counsellor and psychotherapist for over 16 years, and have worked for Health, Education, Social Services / Local Authority, Private work, and some of the leading Children's Charities across Wales.