Alison Bannister

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BSc (Hons), FDSc, Reg. BACP
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

Dromore, BT25
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

I am a qualified counsellor trained in an integrative approach. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, domestic violence, coercive control, grief, bereavement, social anxiety and difficulties arising from childhood. I have a keen interest in trauma and have first hand experience of the unique difficulties that can arise from working in first response services, such as police, fire and prison services.

My Therapy Style

My therapy style is warm, genuine and empathetic. I strongly believe in treating everyone with compassion, respect and sensitivity. We will work together to ensure you are getting the most from our time together, making sure treatment is tailored to your specific needs. I believe in order to get the most from therapy, you need to be able to feel relaxed and at ease when we are working together. Regardless of your reasons for coming to therapy, I will not judge you and pride myself on treating everyone as equals. Sessions are led by you at your own pace.

I am trained in several counselling styles; cognitive-behavioural therapy, psychodynamic and humanistic counselling. Practising as an integrative counsellor means I am able to draw on theories and concepts from these different styles to find the right individual treatment plan for you. I understand that one approach may work for one person and not others, meaning I ensure all therapeutic interventions are specially tailored to you and your needs. No one knows you better than yourself, so if something isn't working or doesn't feel right we will work together to find what does work for you.

How Sessions Work

I offer a free initial consultation over the phone so we can get to know each other, and find out if we are the right fit to work together. Following that, we schedule in a first session over Zoom to discuss more in-depth what you feel you need help with. Sessions usually take place once a week, however we can discuss this should you feel you need alternative arrangements. I am currently only offering online appointments.

I understand how much courage it takes to reach out and ask for help. You have made the first step on your journey towards change by looking for a therapist - I am here to support and empower you in seeking a happier and more fulfilling life.

I look forward to working together!

Training, qualifications & experience

  • Foundation Degree in Integrative Counselling Practice
  • Domestic Violence Awareness Diploma

Certificates in: Grief & Bereavement Counselling, Suicide Prevention, Bipolar Awareness, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Trauma Awareness & Addiction Counselling.

Member organisations

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

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

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Accredited Register Scheme

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.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Photos & videos

Fees

£40.00 per session
Free initial telephone session

Concessions offered for

  • Low income
  • Students
  • Trainee counsellors
  • Unemployed

Additional information

£40 per session.

Concessions offered for students & low income households.

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

I am currently taking new clients, with flexible availability. At present, I am available for online and telephone appointments.

I offer a free initial telephone consultation.

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Key details

AccessNI check

AccessNI carries out criminal records checks for individuals working in certain roles in Northern Ireland. Find out more at justice-ni.gov.uk , or contact this professional directly.

Online platforms

Zoom

Social

Alison Bannister
Alison Bannister