Abigail Pleasant
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Why have therapy with me?
Welcome. I have a passion for supporting people who seek personal change and growth; I believe that the therapeutic relationship is integral to change and healing and that each therapeutic relationship is unique. I draw upon many theoretical approaches and models to inform my practice with each individual including: developmental theories, psychoanalytic theory, relational theories such as person-centred and Gestalt as well as cognitive behavioural approaches; I wholeheartedly agree with Carl Gustav Jung (1928) who stated " Learn your theories as well as you can, but put them aside when you touch the miracle of the living soul."
I provide a space to explore unconscious materials; a non-judgmental ear to speak in confidence with about difficult experiences; an attentive space to understand your feelings and the patterns that are holding you back from living a fulfilling life, where you feel able to be the best version of yourself. I do believe that we are all on a life journey with our own unique stories: our past shapes us but it need not define us; psychotherapy with a skilled practitioner can support you to lead a more fulfilling and authentic life. I am committed to facilitate self-transformation through a trusting therapeutic relationship, to explore your own issues at your own pace. My approach to therapy is to help you develop self-awareness and to support you to have a deeper connection and level of contact with yourself and others. I am compassionate, relational and insightful. I work in a holistic way with all aspects of you; your feelings, thought processes, behaviour, cultural identity and spirituality.
Who is therapy for?
I believe that the human experience inevitably entails suffering and pain and so psychotherapy can be beneficial to anyone at certain points in their life: to quote the famous poet Rumi: "The wound is the place where the light enters you," enabling a fuller and richer existence. Here are some reasons that prompt people to seek therapy - although this list is by no means exhaustive:
- Personal or spiritual growth.
- Life challenges.
- Relationship difficulties.
- A sense of dis-ease or disconnection.
- Difficult childhood experiences.
- Traumatic events.
- Losses & Bereavements.
- Overwhelming emotions.
- Making important or difficult decisions.
- Behaviours or repetitive patterns that you would like to change.
- Self-defeating or obsessive thoughts.
- Self-criticism and self-doubt.
How to get in touch:
It is understandable to feel anxious about making the first step; email today to arrange your initial consultation.
Training, qualifications & experience
Training and Qualifications:
I am a humanistic and Integrative psychotherapist, focused on developmental and relational processes with an interest in existential philosophies. I completed my Masters in Psychotherapy at the Sherwood Psychotherapy Institute in 2005 and have 15 years experience working with a diverse range of adults and young people. I am a member of UKCP, which provides me with an ethical framework. Additionally, I have an interest in academic writing and research, teaching and learning and have an understanding and knowledge of the pedagogy required to support students in developing their academic skills during their psychotherapy training. I offer remote appointments via Zoom on Tuesday and Thursday evenings; I also offer face to face appointments on Wednesdays, in a safe, quiet and confidential space, to explore the issues that are personal to you; situated in Mapperley Park: it is easily accessible from the city centre via bus, car or by foot.
Areas I work with:
I work with most issues; here are some of the areas I have a particular interest in:
- Existential issues.
- Developmental deficit and need.
- Nutrition and wellbeing.
- Sadness and feelings of unhappiness.
- Childhood trauma and family relationships.
- Generalised anxiety and depression.
- Womanhood and identity as a woman.
- Fertility, womb space and feelings about our womb.
- Males, identity and relationships.
- Complex bereavement including baby loss.
- Difficulty in coming to terms with life's changes.
- Young adults
- Students in Higher Education (16 +).
- Trainee psychotherapists.
- Relationship difficulties.
- Culture, ethnicity, race and identity.
- Trauma & Abuse.
- Social Anxiety.
- Health Anxiety
- Perfectionism.
- Autism and Asperges.
- Education & Special educational needs.
- Academic support for trainee psychotherapists.
- Narcissism & Echoism relational dynamics.
- The creative couple.
As part of my training and personal journey, I have engaged in over 7 years of therapy and gained an in-depth personal understanding of the therapeutic process myself; this has enabled me to work at emotional depth with clients. I have worked with many individuals over the past 15 years; some examples of my experience include: young people and university students at the University of Sheffield, psychotherapy trainees, woman issues and sexual issues, emotional instability and borderline processes, feelings of worthlessness, social anxiety, abuse, perfectionism, mother issues, trauma and bereavement; including: still birth, fertility and baby-loss. I have also worked on a weight-loss immersion camp, as a behavioural coach, supporting people to develop healthy sustainable habits.
Additionally, I have much experience of working in diverse educational settings with a wide variety of ethnic groups and with SEN in primary schools; I currently lead the mental health provision within a primary school setting and have delivered psycho-educational play-based activities to support children with emotional, social and behavioural issues, as well as speech and language needs.
Continued Professional Development:
I continually develop myself through research, short training courses and reading. My original training forms the foundation of my way of working; this is attachment-based, relational and dialogic. I also incorporate other approaches into the process, depending on the needs of the client.
These are some of the additional areas I have gained knowledge in:
- Diploma in Supervision (SPTI, completion imminent).
- Inner child three pronged model: working with ego states.
- Mindfulness practices.
- Internal Family Systems Therapy.
- Somatic approaches including Sensori-motor Psychotherapy.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Weight Loss and behavioural immersion
- Cognitive approaches including Socratic Inquiry.
- Psychoeducational approaches
- Polyvagal theory in relation to trauma response.
- Suicidal ideation.
- Body psychotherapy approaches.
- Autism & Asperges.
- Play-based and creative approaches.
- Working with young people.
- Love and Fear in Supervision.
- Various CPD for couples therapy (Tavistock Relationships).
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
Fees
£60.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Please indicate your availability when you email me. I am currently available for in person bookings all day Wednesday and zoom Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
Individuals:
£60 per 55 minute session ~ Individual therapy.
A offer a few spaces where there is a reduction applied for students and psychotherapy trainees who require therapy as part of their training.
£60 ~ Clinical supervision and academic supervision .
*All sessions are paid for before each session. Appointments cancelled with less than 48 hours notice will be charged.
During our first meeting, a detailed assessment will take place; we will discuss your reasons for coming to therapy, discuss past historical issues, present issues and your hopes and intentions for therapy.
I offer:
- Long term open-ended psychotherapy, which involves a weekly session (aside from annual leave).
- Solution Focused and Stress Buster bundles of 6 -12 sessions.
- Couples psychotherapy.
- Supervision to psychotherapists and in educational settings.
- Mental health and SEMH consultancy to educational settings.
Getting Started:
You can contact me via email by pressing the message button at the top of this page to arrange an initial consultation. If you would like a brief free chat via zoom before starting, do let me know. I will endeavour to get back to you within 48 hours. We will arrange a time to meet; I will set up a first session and arrange for regular meetings at a mutually convenient time. I look forward to hearing from you.
When I work
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Face to face sessions Wednesdays.
Zoom sessions available Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
