Brenda Miller
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
I am a registered senior accredited counsellor and clinical supervisor having worked as a counsellor and supervisor in many settings. I work with Adults, Children, Adolescents, Family, Relationship and Couple Counselling. My initial training is Integrative with a Person Centred approach. I believe that each client needs an approach in therapy which will suit their individuality and emotional needs. I use these different models and approaches to work effectively with the clients issues and their way of being.
We all experience times of anxiety and stress, when we feel anxious or burdened by events in life. For example: Relationship difficulties, Bereavement, Health issues, Emotional problems, Change, Loss or a crisis in our lives are some of the reasons that can lead us to seek professional help. Counselling can help you to explore your thoughts and feelings while acknowledging and giving them a voice within a safe, trusting non judgemental therapeutic relationship.
The client and myself agree a way of working which feels comfortable for them and will meet their personal needs. To do this I provide a professional therapeutic space where the client can feel safe and respected as an individual, a place to explore their issues without being judged.
We have within us the ability to understand our thoughts, actions and reactions but sometimes our experiences can seem overwhelming. Talking with a counsellor can help at these times when we feel vulnerable, anxious or find self understanding most difficult.
I added this last paragraph during the Covid 19 lockdown, however it is relevant to life in general.
We are all living in uncertain times. Living with the unknown will evoke many issues and have an emotional impact. Our need to survive is a basic instinct and so we may experience anxiety, a feeling of being unsafe, lonely and cut off from those we love.
One of the issues people are reporting is problems sleeping and having vivid dreams - dreams are a way in which our psyche trys to make sense of what is happening and so although dreams may evoke anxiety and concerns it is a natural response. Sometimes it is helpful to write down your dreams and you may then see a common link - include what emotions were evoked.
Keep routines - eat regularly, take exercise even if this is within the home, keep good sleep hygiene (routine), stay in contact and talk to others, if you can.
Be honest with how you feel and what you may need from others. Identify how you can support each other. Offering support and human contact is important even when we are not allowed or unable to meet in person.
Above all remember to take good care of yourself physically and emotionally.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a general counsellor which means I have been trained and qualified to work with most issues. I have additional professional qualifications to work in areas that I specialise in.
I have a special interest and experience in working with Bereavement, Life limiting illness such as a diagnosis of Cancer (for all concerned, not just the patient) with individuals, children, adolescents and families. Young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties such as ADHD, Aspergers and Autism.
I have worked as the Head of Therapy in a special needs school and managed Counselling Services, and charities - Alzheimer’s Society and Meningitis Trust. At the present time I am working at a Cancer Support Centre as a counsellor and clinical supervisor, also a Hospice and with Employers Assistance Programs.
I have experience of working in GP Surgery's, Hospices, Main Stream Schools, Private Schools, SEND, Management of Counselling Services, EAP, Charities and my own Private Practice. My qualifications are:-
* Diploma in Counselling
* European Diploma in Counselling
* Advanced Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy with Children and Families
* Diploma in Supervision
* Cert: Person Centred Art Therapy
* Cert: CBT
* I have and continue to attended various training workshops and seminars
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
Cancer
Terminal Illness
Adolescents
Families
Relationships
Divorce
Therapies offered
Fees
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
Individuals 50 minutes session - £60
Couples 1 hour session - £75
Families 1 hour session - fee on request
** Corporate contracts are charged at a different rate, discussed and agreed at the initial contracting stage.
When I work
Monday to Thursday daytime and some early evenings.
Further information
As a Registered Senior Accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy I adhere to the BACP Code of Ethics. I have undergone my own personal therapy and as with all professional counsellors I am subject to regular supervision of my work.
I add to my knowledge and understanding by attending continued professional development workshops, seminars, and additional qualifications.
Counselling can offer a quiet space in which to deepen our understanding of ourselves, to discover and develop more of our own unique potential.