About me
Hello and welcome. Well done for reaching out by taking this first courageous step towards recovery. I hope that I can help you. I offer safely graduated, individually tailored evidence-based brief or longer term counselling and psychotherapy for anxiety, depression, dissociative disorders and a whole range of mental health and relationship issues.
I provide an initial free 15 minute phone call to discuss your needs, with no further obligation unless this feels right for you.
I have over twenty years of clinical experience in NHS hospital and community settings as well as my private practice clinics in central London and in the beautiful South Lakes district of Cumbria. I take self- referrals and I am registered with most health insurance companies. I take referrals from consultants, GPs, major companies, occupational health departments and agencies, and from other therapists to help people of all ages who have suffered mental and/or physical distress or trauma, people suffering with anxiety and/or depression, dissociative disorders, carers suffering burn out and young people whose life paths have been adversely affected by the pandemic..
My first career was in the music industry as a result of which I provide unique insights and empathy by which to help performing artists wiht their anxieties, sports athletes including para-olympians, as well as men and women working in legal, financial and business settings who are suffering work-related stresses.
In London and in the South Lakes Cumbria there are a range of issues that people confront: from that of domestic violence, substance use disorders to bereavement, age- related loss of function or unresolved sorrows, work- related stress or adjusting either to entering the workplace or to retirement.
Relationship issues may be central, along with abuse, loneliness, trauma, and most of all: anxiety and depression. The lockdown effect has disrupted the life path of many people who could benefit from professional counselling and support by which to redirect their energies and to find a new sense of direction.
Grange over sands is a peaceful town and an area of outstanding natural beauty with easy access by train. A fabulous promenade from the station passes the ornamental gardens with views of outstanding natural beauty along the coastline. Having gained accreditation in animal communication I am also developing my services to include equine assisted cognitive analytic therapy.
People from further afield may be looking for safe time out over a weekend or if signed off work due to ill health. I can provide a self-developmental opportunity for you to de-stress. self reflect and re-set, without feeling lonely or anxious .
Initially we may meet either at the London Bridge venue or in Grange over Sands or on Zoom via remote access. The two day cumbrian stay, limited to the summer months, includes walk /talk nature based sessions of 60-90 minutes duration along safe coastal paths and in the low lying fells, a perfect environment in which to develop mindfulness and to reflect on your relationships and the world around you. You will have plenty of privacy, warm hospitality and personal choice, as well as access to fine dining establishments, traditional tea shops and country pubs in which to relax for more information please send us an email and find more information at www.stellacompton.com
Private Consultations: therapy sessions, clinical and research supervision continue to be available nationally and internationally via the zoom app.
I am a UKPC, BACP reg ACAT accredited Psychotherapist and Supervisor and HCPC Reg Music Therapist with a PhD healthcare research degree I having developed cognitive analytic music therapy.
CAT is a relational integrative therapy with a good evidence-base that can help in creating positive change towards building sustainable and rewarding relationships.
· Relational Difficulties,
· Work Related Stress Anxiety And Depression
· Bereavement
· Addictions
· LGBT and Transgender Issues
· Cancer Patient Post Surgery
· Anger Management
· Eating Disorders
Professionals working in medicine, science, law and media as well as Mums, Dads and troubled adolescents have all benefited from courses of therapy. I provide training therapies and supervision for psychologist and counselling trainees, arts therapists, psychotherapists, doctors and nurses.
Training, qualifications & experience
BACP Registered, Accredited by the Standards of Health and Social Care.
UKCP Registered Psychotherapist
ACAT Accredited Practitioner..
Member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists No.606329
Healthcare Professions (HCPC) registered Music Therapist.
Approved BUPA Provider and with all Health Insurance Companies.
BAPAM Approved Provider to treat Performing Artists.
Awards and Education:
Mental Health Advisor to The Tutu foundation UK
· 2016 Ruskin Medal award winner for the most impactful doctoral research.
· Honorary Fellow and Member of The Institute of Mental Health Nottingham,
· Highly Commended for the‘ Valuing Difference Award’ for providing services for Black and Ethnic Minority Patients, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust 2004
· Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts.
· PhD awarded by Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge in collaboration with the Health Economics Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience
· MSc Mental Health Studies; Guys' and St Thomas' Medical School, Kings College London
· Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Post Graduate Diploma in Music Therapy
· Royal Academy of Music. LRAM; ARAM
Continuous professional development
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.
The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.
As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.
UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
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
Music Therapy
I am an HCPC registered music therapist and supervisor. Music therapy can help with relationship building and communication difficulties, we might together create our own music that may help you to express your feelings.
Equine assisted therapy: you will not be riding the pony or horse, my equines understand pain and injuries and they may mirror&help you to re-avow your feelings, to bring a sense of healing and empathy. With my assistance and support individuals who have suffered traumas, including PTSD, loss of nerve, physical injuries, accidents or who have communication problem. I have incorporated the latest poly-vagal and neurological understanding into the cognitive analytic approach.
Recent Publications:( 2024) Compton Dickinson, S.J.,Ch13 The roots and heart of cognitive analytic therapy. pps. 259-28 N Stevens, Y: Creativity and Mental health: A cognitive analytic approach to integrating play and imagination in psychotherapy, supervision and training
This chapter is the first chapter on how to measure empathy in Music Therapy. The citation for the work is:
Compton-Dickinson, S. & Jolliffe, D. (2021). Enhancing empathy amongst mentally disordered offenders with music therapy.In D. Jolliffe & D. P. Farrington (Eds.), Empathy versus offending, aggression and bullying: Advancing knowledge using the basic empathy scale. (pp.142-154). Abingdon: Routledge.
Here are the links via Routledge and amazon ( Routledge give an nice explanation)
It is much cheaper as an ebook.
. https://www.routledge.com/Empathy-versus-Offending-Aggression-and-Bullying-Advancing-Knowledge-using/Jolliffe-Farrington/p/book/9780367253745
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Empathy-versus-Offending-Aggression-Bullying-ebook/dp/B08MKW7HS1
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£90.00 - £160.00
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
I have a sliding scale of payments depending on circumstances, and provide an initial complimentary 15 minute phone call to answer questions at a mutually convenient time. Fees range from £90 for low income to £160 for high earners We will negotiate a manageable fee, I simply ask for you to be honest, much depends on circumstances, dependants etc. I provide remote access sessions by Zoom and also a blended treatment of zoom and face to face. In special circumstances zoom for £60 to help performing artists by providing an assessment report for funding from charitable bodies. Longer assessments with report at £150. Terms and conditions are available at www.stellacompton.co.uk
Free 15 minute phone chat to answer your questions ,with no further obligation prior to making an appointment.
When I work
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Further information
Private Consultations: therapy sessions, clinical and research supervision continue to be available nationally and internationally via the zoom app. I will be providing a blended programme going forward. Rather than delivering a prescriptive treatment I assess and treat each client as unique, with specific needs, which together we can identify and clarify.
I take a non-judgemental, broad minded, empathic and compassionate approach, working within the structured cognitive analytic (CAT) approach, which has been clinically tested in NHS Services. This may include integrative aspects of trauma –based therapy, psychodynamic, cognitive behavioural (CBT)and evidence-based arts therapies techniques.
I have twenty years of NHS experience as a Clinical Research Lead and Head of Department, and over the past decade I have established a private psychotherapy service in which my clients’ problems are frequently resolved over a cost-effective, time-limited treatment. I take self- referrals, as well and referrals from top consultants in cancer care and private psychiatric healthcare.
I am registered with all leading healthcare insurance companies. I also receive referrals through the British Association of Performing Arts Medicine( BAPAM) specialising in the performing artists who suffer various forms of performance anxiety or depression.
If you have an arts based background or a creative desire that you have never had a chance to safely express without feeling fearful, judged or exposed, the non-verbal forms of artistic or musical expression may be included within your CAT therapy at your choice. For example:
If you find it difficult to put your thoughts and feelings into words.
If you feel numb and cannot easily access your feeling.
Choosing the right Therapist is important and is vital to a satisfactory outcome.
Your therapy session is time for you to share what you feel safe enough to confide. I recommend an initial consultation with no further obligation unless this feels like the right path for you to take.
