About me
Hello.
My name is Alison Colvile.
I am an accredited and experienced counsellor/psychotherapist and supervisor who offers safe supportive and caring counselling for adults, children, adolescents and young people. I am a good listener.
I practice as an Integrative Humanistic Counsellor and Coach offering confidential support on a range of personal issues. At the moment I am offering remote or online counselling . When restrictions are lifted I will, once again, be able to offer a 'walk and talk' therapy in the Surrey Hills. This will be on a one to one basis for those of us who like to move and talk, or for those who just like to be outside and perhaps simply rest and sit in the fresh air and take stock of things.
I work short-term and long-term, with adults, groups, children and young people.
The counselling sessions last for 50 minutes for adults, tailored down to a shorter time for children . The first meeting is an opportunity for you to see if counselling is helpful at this time and for us to meet and see how we feel about working together. It is very important that you have a counsellor who you trust and feel comfortable with, so you get the most out of therapy. I fully appreciate that this may be the first time that you have considered 'talking therapies' and I am happy to discuss any part of your therapy with you.
When I am working with the younger age group I like to meet/talk with Mum/Dad/Carer so that we are all supporting the child in the best way possible. I am happy to discuss any of this and how confidentiality works when children come to therapy.
Training, qualifications & experience
I have a BA (Hons) Degree in Counselling, a Foundation Degree in Humanistic (integrative) Counselling-BACP accredited and Certificates in Counselling, Counselling Skills & Theory. I have a Post Graduate Diploma in Supervision. I also have a BA (Hons) Degree in Drama (1978). I am also a member of the BACP counselling children and young people division
I have undertaken additional training including:
Cognitive Behaviourial Therapy (OCTC)
Safeguarding Children and Young People
Loss and Bereavement, grief counselling
Anxiety, low mood, depression
Trauma
Adoption and Fostering
Supporting Adults and Children facing life-threatening illness
Supporting Students with Specific Learning difficulties
I am a Graduate of Mindfulness, Sussex
I am an accredited Member of the British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy and abide by their Ethical Framework for Good Practice. I am CRB checked (required for working with young people) and my therapy practice is fully insured and supervised.
I haven't always been a counsellor, which I think is a positive thing. Prior to training as a psychotherapist I was a professional Actor and later a Broadcaster . This career spanned several enjoyable years working in theatre, radio and television. I am still a member of Equity and I am an experienced voice-over artist. Back then as an arts graduate, I worked in schools and colleges with children and students combining theatre and education. Following on from this early work, I now offer 'play therapy', story telling, shells, sand trays and clay as a different medium for expression in the therapy sessions. I also work with imagery and encourage writing and drawing if that helps.
As a counsellor and supervisor, I have several years experience of working in Primary Care within two G.P surgeries, College and University, Schools and in the Voluntary sector with Hospice work. I am currently working at a G.P surgery in Shere, Cranleigh School, Hurtwood House and The Duke of Kent.
I offer walk and talk Therapy in the Surrey Hills mindful of the current situation and government guide lines. We don't have to walk far, it could just be about being outside and sitting down 2 meters apart. Sometimes it is easier to talk this way. We are outside for about 50 minutes. We can talk about how you would like this to work for you and I am happy to explain any worries or concerns you may have.
I am now offering on-line or over the phone counselling to support you in the current times. I was new to this, however, over the last year it has become something I am getting along with as I suspect are you!
My other interests are sport, yoga, mindfulness, walking, music, caring for various animal additions, and getting out of the washing up !
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
My other interests are low mood, low self -esteem, anger, relationship struggles, and issues around loss / bereavement, including still birth and miscarriage.
As a Supervisor I work with individuals and groups, counsellors and trainees. I offer support for your work with Children and Adults.
I hope that helps and please do get in touch. I am happy to support you in your search to find a counsellor or supervisor that suits you.
Therapies offered
Fees
Individual counselling: £45- £ 75 per session (50 minutes) dependent on time and numbers
Supervision sessions are £60 per hour.
On line sessions , over the phone , £ 60
Concessions offered for
Availability
I can offer appointments weekdays and early evenings. I offer flexibility with times and dates on a weekly basis
Further information
I can be contacted on 01306 730126. If I am not there to answer your call at the time, please leave your name and number on my answering machine (plus when it is a good time for me to call you back). We can then have a twenty minute free confidential conversation about what is happening for you at the moment and if counselling may be of help.
Similarly, if you contact me by e-mail, and then leave your number, I can also call you back if you wish.
Flexible appointment times including daytime and some evenings.
Free parking available
Holmbury St Mary is a small village set in the Surrey Hills about twenty minutes from either Guildford, Cranleigh or Dorking