Abigail Sykes
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Welcome. I'm a fully qualified Psychotherapeutic Counsellor, working with an integrative approach; meaning I can draw on various skills and techniques, enabling me to tailor sessions to best meet your needs, keeping you at the centre of the work. I have clinical experience working within a cancer centre, and with 11-18 year olds within an educational setting. I can offer sessions either in-person or online to suit your needs. Sessions are charged at £55.
I aim to create a relaxed, safe and non-judgemental space, for you to bring whatever feels significant for you during therapy. To meet you with empathy, curiosity, understanding, and a sense of feeling held throughout the process. I work with an awareness of the importance to have a space where you can share your innermost thoughts, feelings and processes with another human being, without the fear of judgement or a sense of trying to be fixed. Supporting you as an equal, to explore and navigate your own way to finding what works for you moving forward.
What is counselling and how can it help?
Counselling with me will provide you with the space to reflect on, explore, and make sense of whatever has been troubling you. Whether that be life events that have been difficult for you, or day-to-day struggles resulting in stress, anxiety or depression. It could even be something from the past, that is impacting your life in the present. Together, we can safely explore what is going on for you and how it might be affecting different aspects of your life, such as relationships, work, communication and both physical and mental health.
Talking to family and friends can prove difficult if they are involved in the issues too. Having time to talk to a counsellor that is outside of the situation, can help you to better understand yourself, feel less alone, truly heard, understood, and sometimes offer a different perspective. All these things can help you to gain a much clearer sense of your needs and empower you to find your own solutions along the way.
As a predominantly Person-centred counsellor, I hold a firm belief that you are your own expert on your life, and I will be here alongside you to offer that support and exploration within the safety of the therapeutic relationship. I won’t offer you advice, but rather work with you to explore your own resources and experiences at your own pace. This might look like, talking, exploring communication and relationship patterns, body work, creative work, psychoeducation, or looking at parts of self.
Counselling can be a space for many things.....
- An opportunity to openly explore and process things, without judgement.
- A space to show up just as you are, with no expectations of how you ‘should’ be.
- A chance to pause… take time out from the demands of life, check in with yourself and your body. What do you need?
- An opportunity to experiment with relational interactions that might feel intimidating in ‘real life’ – such as setting boundaries or voicing your needs.
- A time to reflect - not only on struggles, but on achievements, recognising and celebrating them together.
- A place to explore boundaries, goals, life direction, brainstorm ideas, navigate change - whatever you need in the moment.
- A chance to share memories and experiences that are important or special to you.
- A place to be creative (only if you want to), sometimes words can be difficult to find, or can’t fully express what you might be feeling.
- A safe space to process major life events such as, bereavement, loss, illness, a relationship breakdown, or a traumatic event.
Clients have reported-
- Feeling truly heard and understood.
- The freedom to share openly in sessions, without judgement.
- Ability to set boundaries and self-regulate.
- Improved self-esteem.
- Learning tools/techniques to support themselves.
- Increased self-awareness and understanding.
Young People:
I have experience working with young people aged 11+, supporting them to navigate the stresses and struggles that come with secondary school and teenage life. Sessions with young people often involve a more creative approach to help explore and identify what's been troubling them, building trust along the way. If your young person is struggling with their mental health please do get in touch for more information.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications
- Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling
- Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling BACP approved
- Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies
- Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills
CPD
- Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People
I am a registered member of the BACP, having completed 4 years training, including over a years' face-to-face clinical experience. As part of my commitment to continuing professional development, I am currently undertaking a Level 6 Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People.
I have experience working with:
- anxiety
- bereavement
- grief
- loss
- life-limiting illness
- low self-esteem
- loss of identity
- existential issues
- neurodiversity
- relationship difficulties
- self-harm
- suicidal thoughts
- depression
- trauma
- PTSD
- exploring life direction
- burnout
- addiction
Training to become a counsellor sparked a passion in me. I want to offer clients the chance to experience a safe space where they can begin to learn about themselves and feel empowered. I feel grateful to be able to share this journey with my clients, in a job I can truly say I love.
Please do get in touch if you would like to find out more about working together.
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
£55.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
As a counsellor, I strongly believe that the relationship between counsellor and client is paramount. It is important to feel comfortable and connected, which is why I offer a free no obligation 15-minute phone consultation, where we can discuss what support you feel you need, what I am able to offer, and answer any questions you may have. Please contact me via email or through my website should you wish to arrange a call before booking an initial session.
When I work
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Monday and Thursday: 9:30am - 8:30pm, In-person (Buckingham)
Wednesday: 9am - 3pm Online
Further information
I'm a registered member of the BACP and work according to their ethical framework, as part of this I attend regular clinical supervision and CPD training. I also hold an enhanced DBS certificate.
