Sheila O'Sullivan
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
I have been working as an integrative psychotherapist for 25 years. This means that I am trained in a variety of approaches so can adapt my style to best suit the needs of the client The modalities that I have been trained in are Person Centred/humanistic, Psychodynamic, Body Psychotherapy, Mindfulness based CBT and Compassion focused therapy. The Person Centred approach takes the view that the client has their own inner knowing, while the psychodynamic approach helps to make links with childhood experiences and how that is influencing the present. My training in Body Psychotherapy means that I can help clients to make links between their mind and body and to have a more embodied sense of self. Mindfulness based CBT is a way of working that helps the client to recognise and change their thinking patterns and to find ways to live in the present moment. I work both long-term and short-term, depending on the needs of the client. I have experience of working with depression, anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, and relationship difficulties and other life concerns.
I am also interested in working with individuals who are childless because of infertility or they have chosen not to have children. Being a parent too brings up ambivalent feelings and I am happy to explore these feelings with individuals. I have a doctorate in psychoanalytic studies and my research was an exploration of voluntary childlessness.
In addition, I have an interest in working with individuals who are facing some of the challenges of ageing whether with parents, or their own ageing.
I believe that counselling provides an opportunity to explore your particular situation in non-judgmental environment.
Training, qualifications & experience
Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy from the Chiron Centre. I am UKCP registered and I am a member of the BACP. I also have a Diploma in Integrative Supervision. I have trained in post-traumatic stress and symptom focused short-term therapy. I have trained too in mindfulness based cognitive therapy and I am interested in how are thinking patterns affect our overall sense of self and well-being. I have also trained in Compassion Focused therapy.. I work for a number of EAPs so have experience of working with a very wide range of presenting. issues.
I also offer supervision for individuals and groups. I have had many years of experience of working in schools as a teacher and in other capacities so have an excellent understanding of the challenges of working in education.
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I gained my PhD in psychoanalytic studies in November 2016 and my subject specialism was an exploration of how psychoanalytic practitioners understand the decision whether or not to become a parent.
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
Fertility and infertility and ambivalent parenthood.
Therapies offered
Fees
From £70.00
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
Starting from £70 or a 50 minute session. I do offer concessions, depending on circumstances.
When I work
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Further information
Before training as a psychotherapist, I worked as a teacher and have experience of working in primary, secondary, further and higher education. I continue to teaching counselling and psychology in universities and I am committed to continuing with my personal and professional development and I see this as a life long process. I have published a number of articles on childlessness.
