Sandra McKeever
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
I offer in depth psychotherapy and counselling to adults who want to explore their inner world to learn and understand more about themselves. I have over twenty years of experience in private practice working as a counsellor, psychotherapist and supervisor, as well as experience as a counselling trainer, along with working for one of the principal awarding bodies for counselling qualifications in the country and working in professional standards at the BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy). As a result, I bring a great deal of understanding, compassion and professionalism to my work. I am trained in a number of theories but predominately use an integrative approach dominated by person centred theory and a transpersonal understanding. I also have extensive training in many specific areas including trauma, eating disorders, bereavement, domestic abuse and the impact of boarding school.
Whilst therapy can be helpful in dealing with all aspects of our emotional and psychological health, it is also a valuable tool in developing a deep understanding of who we are, and why we are as we are. From that place of knowing, we can then make informed choices about our lives and how we relate to others and function in the world. That in turn allows us to make informed choices about how we respond to life and all it throws at us, thus reaching a greater sense of peace contentment with ourselves.
I offer a safe, empathic, non judgemental space for that exploration to take place, welcoming all aspects of your personality, and giving you the space and time to just be you, with no expectations.
One of my favourite descriptions of counselling and psychotherapy is from 'In Therapy' by Susie Orbach, where she says:
'Therapy doesn't seek to fix the problem in a simplistic way, although good therapy always addresses the problem that is brought in. Therapy's aim is to understand, to provide context, to indicate ways of thinking, feeling and being that invite the individual to know more of her or himself, to extend their experience, to intervene in stumbling blocks or hurtful practices, to live more richly. Conflicts may remain but are often transformed. There are always reiterations but new ideas about the source of pain shift about. Where there may have been one word or one emotion to explain oneself to oneself, there may be several words and feelings and even ideas that sit alongside one another. A clamp one didn't know existed is released.' (Orabch S, 2017, pvii)
This is what I attempt to provide in my work with clients.
Alongside my original training as a counsellor, I have trained in astrology and shamanism, and studied Tibetan Buddhism and have continued to study and work in these areas alongside my work as a therapist. As a result I am able to bring to the work an added dimension, which can be particularly beneficial for those who are on a spiritual path and interested in opening up and expanding their consciousness.
Please note I only work with adults, and only offer face-to-face sessions in my therapy room in Glastonbury. No online sessions are available.
Training, qualifications & experience
Senior Accreditation with the BACP 2017 (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy). Memberships of UKRCP (United Kingdom Register of Counsellors & Psychotherapists, accredited by the Professional Standards Authority for Health & Social Care) MSc Counselling (University of Bristol) Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling (University of Bristol) Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (Strode College) Level 2&3 Certificates in Counselling (Strode College) Certificate in Education (Strode College). BA (Hons) in Economic and Social History (University of Hull) One year training with Babette Rothschild in Somatic Therapy, working with PTSD & Trauma. Many years experience in private practice along with experience of working in a GP Practice with a wide variety of presenting issues, in an agency working with eating disorders, and as a student counsellor in an FE College. CRUSE bereavement trained.
I have also worked as a counselling lecturer, assessor and trainer in FE, HE and private organisational settings, delivering all areas of training but specialising in personal development, professional practice, research, mental health, trauma and spiritual crisis.
I worked for one of the principal awarding bodies of counselling qualifications as both an assessor and qualifying qualification lead, and work in Professional Standards at the BACP. Along with colleagues i have written and had published a book for counsellors in training, and have had a number of articles published.
My continuing professional development includes training with Nick Duffell on working with ex boarders, with Christiane Sanderson on working with individuals who are victims of domestic abuse and sexual abuse, with Babette Rothschild on working with PTSD and trauma with a somatic approach, and with Dr Janina Fisher and her Structural Dissociation Model relating to traumatic attachment. I continue to read widely to keep abreast of recent developments in the profession so to always be able to offer clients the best possible service.
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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Spiritual Crisis. Impact of Boarding School. The menopause and women's issues. Environmental anxiety.
Therapies offered
Fees
£65.00 per session
Free initial in-person session
Additional information
Discounted places are sometimes available for those in need or individuals with whom I have worked previously.
When I work
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Please enquire about availability - spaces become available at regular intervals.
Further information
Sessions are one hour long, and weekly. Clients are asked to agree to a minimum of six sessions initially.
I offer an initial session of 30 - 45 mins free of charge. This is an opportunity for us to meet and to see whether we are a good fit - that you feel comfortable with me and the surroundings, and that I feel I am able to offer you what you are looking for at this time. It is also an opportunity for you to ask any questions and for me to explain how I work. I will also use this opportunity to go through the paperwork with you, although there is no obligation to commit to us working together at this point. I am happy for you to go away and think about it. All the research points to the relationship between therapist and client as the key factor in successful outcomes in therapy so it's important you feel ok about me being your therapist. However, please do be aware I cannot hold an appointment space open for more than 48 hours.
