Abi Spence
Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.
This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
There are many reasons why you might decide to begin therapy.
This might be what you are experiencing in the here and now; we are living in a time of great uncertainty, change and responsibility, with more access to information and more choice than ever before. Sometimes this can feel overwhelming.
However, it could also be experiences from your childhood or more recent history which have been left unresolved, leading to anxiety, depression or toxic cycles of behaviour.
Whatever might have brought you to this point, I provide a safe, non-judgemental and confidential space separate from your family and social group, in which to explore whatever you want to bring.
I work with adults on a one-to-one basis to assist you to process, respond to or engage with whatever might be preventing you from living your life to its fullest and happiest.
My way of working is based on an integrative training, which means I call on various modalities, for example attachment theory (how we are in relationship) phenomenology (whats happening between us here and now) and person-centred (you are the expert on your experience).
Nevertheless, I am led by you; your unique experiences of the world and your sense of place within it. For 50 minutes, one day a week, you can be present and alive to your thoughts, feelings and sensations in a way that life may prevent you from being. I offer short term work (6-12 sessions) longer term (6 months to a year or longer) I work online and in-person, in a therapy room setting and walk and talk therapy in nature.
The most important aspect of being able to work together effectively is our relationship; whether you feel I am someone you can visualise yourself meeting with once a week.
My experience of psychotherapy began when I sought therapy myself. I found it to be life-changing. I wanted to create for others what I had received: space, time and generous, attentive focus on whatever I needed to bring.
Before undertaking my psychotherapy training, I worked in pressured, results-based environments. I understand what it's like to have to manage multiple responsibilities, attempt to meet the expectations of others and feel overwhelmed.
By giving yourself the opportunity to examine your fears, motivations and actions with the help of a psychotherapist, I believe it is possible to gain clarity and understanding which can be transformative.
Contact me for my current availability.
Training, qualifications & experience
- Fully-qualified BACP-registered therapist with a Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy and Counselling (Level 7) from the Minster Centre, a UKCP registered training centre for integrative psychotherapy.
- Advanced Diploma and MA in Integrative Psychotherapy: Minster Centre and Middlesex University
- I am a member of BICA, (the British Infertility Counselling Association), The Relational School, and I am a media volunteer for Fertility Network UK.
- I am a registered member of the British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP), one of the UK’s national accrediting bodies. I also hold DBS clearance. This means I work in accordance with professionally recognised standards.
- I am in clinical supervision and undertake regular CPD (Continued Professional Development).
- Since 2018 I have worked in private practice in Queens Park and Tooting in London, Pickering and York. I now work at Miller's Yard in York and in Harome, North Yorkshire.
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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
As well as the areas mentioned, my specialisms include:
- Childhood trauma (including physical and sexual abuse)
- Sibling and family issues
- Fertility issues, from undergoing IVF and miscarriage to involuntary childlessness.
- Post-partum depression (which can sometimes manifest as anxiety and hypervigilance as well as low mood and energy)
- GSRD issues (Gender, Sexuality and Relationship Diversity)
- Minority stress (experienced by those who do not identify as white, cis, heterosexual, or neuro-typical)
- Boarding school experiences: those who attended themselves, or might be managing the effects caused by others in their lives who are ex boarders. Find out more in this short introduction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG3rY9TohTk
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£65.00 per session
Free initial in-person, telephone or online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
The introductory session is free of charge. This is 25 minutes long, and can be online, in person or on the phone. There is no obligation to continue after this introductory meeting. Online and in-person and walk and talk therapy sessions are £65.00.
I currently work Monday- Thursday. Contact me for my current availability.
When I work
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | |||||||
| Afternoon | |||||||
| Evening | |||||||
| Night |
Contact me for my current availability. I work both online and in-person in York and Harome, North Yorkshire.
Further information
It can be daunting, not knowing what to expect after taking the first step to seek some support:
First, we have a brief phone chat or email exchange to discuss the details of the initial session, which can be in-person, by phone or online.
There is no fee for this first 25 minute meeting. During it, we will discuss what has brought you to this point and I answer any questions you may have, and I explain the practicalities of how we work together. There is no obligation to make any commitment beyond this session.
If you would like to continue, we will pick a day and time to begin our meetings. Once we have agreed a start date, I will send you some information, and a client/therapist agreement form for you to read through and sign.
Where we will meet:
Sessions can be online, or in person. I work in central York and a village called Harome which is just off the A170, about two miles from Helmsley.
In York, my consultation room is on the first floor of one of the buildings in Miller's Yard, just off Gillygate. The room is light, airy and peaceful. Union Terrace, Monk Bar and Bootham Row car parks are nearby, and further parking is available in nearby streets. It is a 10 minute walk from York station.
In Harome, my consultation room is in an outbuilding which has been converted to be a home office and therapy room. It is situated on Main Street, which runs through the centre of the village. The room we meet in is comfortable, private and quiet, and has its own entrance and toilet facilities. From here, I work face to face, online, or offer walk and talk therapy.
Free parking is possible along the length of Main Street. There is no public transport to the village, which is close to Helmsley, near Malton, Pickering, and is 22 miles from York.
