Abi Howarth
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
If you are finding life difficult at the moment, for whatever reason, I hope I can help. My first task as a counsellor is to be there for you; to be someone that you feel you can trust, and to build a safe and dependable relationship.
As a person-centred therapist, I will not offer you 'expert advice' or tell you how to fix things. I believe in the power of the counselling relationship to heal and to enable each of us to thrive.
I hope that you will feel able to express yourself honestly without fear of judgement or reproach, and in the knowledge that you will be truly heard. These seemingly simple steps are often quite rare in our daily lives and yet can offer so much.
- I will work hard to understand things from your point of view and to get what it feels like to be you. I will not presume to know in advance how you feel about something.
- I will be honest and open with you, helping you to explore your experiences and feelings by responding genuinely, and with compassion.
- I will value you for who you are, with no agenda, expectation or conditions.
How we work together will depend on what you need. It may be that you need time out to talk about what's happening in your life and to feel more supported. It may be that you need tools and coping strategies to help you to navigate certain situations.
It may also be helpful for us to explore some of your life story to understand what’s going in the present day. I believe that our early life experiences have a significant impact on how we are in the world around us, and that by gathering information about how the past may have shaped us, it can help us to move forward.
Counselling is not an easy process, but it can help you to reconnect with yourself and what you need in your life in order to feel better.
Whatever it is that has brought you here, then you are very welcome to get in touch. I offer a free introductory session (30 minutes) so that we can discuss together what you might need from counselling and how I might be able to help.
Bereavement and Loss
I have specialist experience in supporting people through their own experiences of attachment, love, loss, death and dying.
Neurodiversity
I have a particular interest in neurodiversity and am actively involved in developing my knowledge and understanding in this area.
If you are neurodivergent and would like to talk about how therapy sessions may work best for you, please do let me know and we can discuss this together.
(The term ‘Neurodivergent’ includes, but is not limited to; autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, sensory processing disorder.)
About Me
I have lived on Exmoor for nearly 20 years and spend a lot of my spare time outdoors in the countryside with my family. I also love playing netball and have been a member of Dulverton Netball Club for many years.
Training, qualifications & experience
Experience
I have been based at the Rose & Crown Clinic in South Molton for the last six years, supporting adults of all ages to work through their own unique challenges and life situations.
Background
I trained as a Humanist Integrative Counsellor. This means that I believe in the potential within each individual to find their own path (‘Humanist’), and that I have been trained in different approaches to help facilitate this process (‘Integrative’). I believe in the power of the counselling relationship to heal and to enable each of us to thrive.
Qualifications
Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling - Iron Mill College, Exeter (2013- 2015).
Certificate in Counselling - Iron Mill College, Exeter (2013).
I am a Registered Member of the BACP and work within their ethical framework for the counselling profession. You can check this at any time at www.bacpregister.co.uk
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
I keep my skills up-to-date with regular CPD, such as training courses, conferences, specialist reading and supervision. Please ask if you would like any more information about this.
Member organisations
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
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£50.00 per session
Free initial in-person, telephone or online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
If you haven’t had counselling before, you may be feeling unsure about what to expect or how the process works.
I offer a free 30-minute consultation session. This gives you the chance to see whether I am someone you feel you can talk to, and for me to make sure that I have the right skills and experience to support you. This is also a chance for you to ask any questions you may have about the counselling process.
After this, I charge £50 for an hour's session.
I may be able to offer a reduced fee if you are on a low income and/or you are currently experiencing financial difficulty. Please talk to me about this if this applies to you.
When I work
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Further information
For face-to-face appointments, I am based at the Coach House, The Rose & Crown Clinic, 6 South Street, South Molton EX36 4AA. However, please contact me direct to arrange an appointment.
