Abbie O'Connor
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Are you experiencing trauma, anxiety, PTSD or Dissociative Identity Disorder? Perhaps you're thinking about how to get out of a situation that makes you feel bad, such as bullying, or abuse - from either an individual or a group? Maybe you're out of that situation now, but would like to work on recovering from the feelings and memories you are left with. I can work with you to help you feel safer, less anxious, depressed, isolated or ashamed, and more free to enjoy you life.
I believe we all have a lot of strengths, whatever our situation. I work in a supportive, empowering way with people who are neurodivergent (e.g. who are autistic, have ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia), have learning disabilities or other disabilities and health conditions.
I have worked with people from a wide range of different backgrounds, and have lived and worked in another culture myself. I am sensitive to cultural differences and willing to learn. You are very welcome to talk about any prejudice or other difficulties you have experienced as. a result of racism or other negative assumptions.
I am sensitive to the needs of LGBTQIA+/ queer people. I can help you if you would like to feel more self-acceptance and confidence in who you are. I understand this can feel particularly painful for people whose family, friends, religious tradition or other networks may not know and accept them fully, or may reject them. I appreciate it can be extremely difficult to hide your identity, and fear negative responses from others.
I have been a qualified counsellor since 2013, and have worked for over 20 years in domestic abuse charities and community projects. I have a broad knowledge about many health and social challenges.
For anyone who is interested, my approach is integrative, i.e. blending a variety of approaches. I am a counsellor who listens to where you are at, and the things you want to focus on in your sessions, but I do offer some reflections and responses and ways of exploring things, which you are free to respond to or not as you feel relevant. You are welcome to give your feedback, to help me understand your feelings more. For those who are interested, you are welcome to explore things using creative methods in the session (this can sometimes help if you feel stuck or want to explore things at a deeper level).
I offer face to face and online sessions, and also by phone. Face to Face sessions can be at my home, or outdoors in a local park.
Training, qualifications & experience
I have an Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling. Integrative counselling means blending different approaches, as seems most appropriate for the person. If you are interested in a particular style of counselling, or method, please feel free to discuss this further to see if we might be a good match.
I have completed various short courses, such as:
- Attachment and Trauma
- Working with Dissociative Disorders
- Working with Young People
I am trained in the Sesame model, which uses creative forms of self-expression to explore the inner self, connection and meaning. I am happy to bring in some creative methods into the session if that may be of interest to you.
As well as my private practice, I have counselling experience in a GP surgery, where I have worked with a wide range of people with varied needs, and in a centre for carers.
I also have experience of working with people in the voluntary sector for many years. This has equipped me to support survivors of abuse and complex trauma, people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health difficulties and other health challenges. I have also worked with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender or gender neutral clients, and with people from a wide range of faiths and cultures. I am able to work with people who dissociate, or with their partners. I have understanding of the unique challenges faced by people who dissociate, and those close to them.
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
- Childhood Emotional Neglect
- self-care
- working with the inner child
- sub-personalities
- childhood issues
- memories
- incest
- spiritual abuse
- organised abuse
- cyberharassment
Therapies offered
Fees
£55.00 per session
Free initial telephone or online session
Concessions offered for
When I work
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