Margaret Spencer
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Welcome to Your Therapeutic Journey
With 20 years of experience as a Counsellor, I understand the importance of finding the right therapist. Engaging in a private, confidential, and ethically grounded therapeutic relationship is a significant step—and it can be life-changing. Well done on making that first move, whether you’re seeking therapy as an individual or as part of a couple.
The counselling relationship is unique and collaborative, focused on achieving positive outcomes, feeling better, and getting life back on a solid footing. You can trust that you are at the heart of this relationship, ensuring your safety and well-being. Whether you’re considering a single session consultation, short-term brief therapy, or a more open-ended approach, counselling and psychotherapy can offer immense benefits.
I am a qualified, professional Counsellor and Psychotherapist, committed to working with you in a warm, safe, and non-judgmental environment. I am a registered and accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP, Accredited), as well as a member of AFT, EMDR All Ireland, and EMDR UK.
Training, qualifications & experience
Therapeutic Approach & Qualifications
Choosing the right counsellor is crucial for a successful therapeutic experience. It's important to work with someone who is warm, approachable, skilled, and fully qualified to support you. My approach is centred around you, with a focus on solution-focused brief therapy, which helps you concentrate on what you want to achieve, rather than on the challenges you may be facing.
I hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Systemic Practice & Family Therapy, specialising in systemic work with individuals and couples. Additionally, I have an Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling from a BACP-accredited course, alongside a Diploma in Counselling from Guildford College.
My experience is further enhanced by a Post-Qualifying Certificate in Couples Counselling, along with certificates in Counselling Studies and Skills and a Diploma in Coaching. I am also trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and am working towards accreditation in this area.
With a BSc in Human Communication, I bring a deep understanding of the complexities of human interaction to my practice. Moreover, I am a qualified Master Practitioner in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), which I use as a powerful tool for personal transformation.
I am also an Approved Clinical Supervisor with the British Psychological Society, providing supervision for both trainee and experienced counsellors.
Member organisations
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
I also work with clients who prefer life coaching to improve confidence, personal leadership, and self-mastery. This approach is particularly effective for those who want to focus on achieving important, meaningful goals within a specified timescale, rather than delving into deeper issues.
Coaching is ideal for individuals who feel that counselling may not be what they need or desire.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£55.00 per session
Additional information
Sessions for individuals are charged at £55 for 50 minute daytime appointments.
£90 for Couples Counselling 1 hour appointments
EMDR rates are 1.5 hours per session.
When I work
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Available Tuesdays and Thursdays. Some evening appointments may be available currently.
Further information
Relationship Counselling
I offer professional services and work within the BACP Ethical Framework and the Code of Practice for AFT, Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice. I am a Member of EMDR All Ireland.
I am fully insured with an Enhanced Disclosure Access NI.
