Alison Cruise MSc RGN
About me
AC TALK THERAPY
Affordable counselling and psychotherapy
Many people at some time in their lives seek a therapist to help them with a particular issue or when old coping methods are just not working anymore. AC talk therapy can offer a safe and confidential space to explore your concerns as a means of making sense and gaining a better understanding of yourself and others.
Service Offered on line or face to face
One-to-one talk therapy for adults for a range of issues including:
- anxiety
- depression
- bereavement and loss
- post traumatic stress
- relationship difficulties
- abuse
- addition
- identity issues
- stress
- relationship breakdown
- low self esteem issues
- self harm
- anger
- suicidal ideology
- personality disorders
- social phobias
- low confidence
- personal growth
Training, qualifications & experience
About me:
Alison Cruise MSc RGN
Following a lengthy nursing career in the NHS and charity sector I gained a post graduate diploma in psychodynamic psychotherapy at the Tavistock Clinic in London. I am registered with the Tavistock Society of Psychotherapists (TSP) and the British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC). I work within their code of ethics framework and have worked with people who have experienced a variety of difficulties.
Member organisations
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.
British Psychoanalytic Council
The British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC) is a professional association, representing the profession of psychoanalytic psychotherapy.
The organisation is itself made up of fourteen member organisations and BPC accredits the trainings of its member organisations. An individual who qualifies from one of these trainings is then eligible for entry into the BPC's register.
BPC registrants are governed by a code of ethics, a policy of continuing professional development, a statement on confidentiality and a complaints procedure. The BPC is a Member Society of the European Federation for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy in the Public Sector (EFPP). Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Accredited register membership
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.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Fees
How much will it cost?
The initial consultation will cost £50, payable on the day. On-going sessions will also be £50 per 50 minute session, payable on a weekly or monthly basis. If you are on a low income or unemployed an adjustment to this fee could be discussed at the initial consultation.
Availability
I have some availability and can offer video sessions via Zoom for people that are in isolation due to the pandemic.
Further information
Frequently asked questions:
What is therapy?
Therapy is a word used to cover talking treatment. It offers a safe and confidential space for you to bring your concerns and feelings about the difficulties you are experiencing or about negative thoughts and behaviours that you would like to change.
A therapist will not give you advice or solve the problem for you but they will listen and take the opportunity to think together helping you to understand yourself better and make positive changes.
What is the difference between Counselling and Psychotherapy?
Counselling is a term used to describe focused therapeutic work suitable for someone going through a specific trauma or crisis where they need support and strategies for coping, whereas psychotherapy tends to be longer term and more explorative looking at how the past impacts on the present day. It is more of an in-depth process for personal growth.
What is Psychodynamic Psychotherapy?
Psychodynamic psychotherapy comes from the analytical model. It takes into consideration feelings and experiences that operate on a deeper and sometimes unconscious level that can lead to repeated and often unhelpful ways of being. By using the longer term therapeutic relationship patterns of behaviour are likely to emerge. This will present opportunities to identify possible reasons as to why you are facing your presenting difficulties.
What is CBT?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a short programme of therapy designed to treat symptoms of anxiety or phobias; it concentrates on helping people to understand and cope with their symptoms rather than investigating the underlying cause.
Will therapy help me?
This is an important question. Taking the first step into therapy can be daunting and takes courage. Most people benefit from sharing their concerns with a therapist to help them make sense of things. It can be a great relief to be listened to in an empathetic and non-judgemental way. By doing this you may experience some difficult and upsetting feelings in the process as you develop and work through the issues that are troubling you.
How do I start?
Once you have made contact we will arrange a convenient time for me to call you for a conversation to discuss your concerns and whether my approach is right for you. If so we will arrange an initial consultation.
It is important that both of us feel comfortable, therefore you are under no pressure to decide whether you wish to take up subsequent sessions at this point. You will be encouraged to go away and think about it. We can book further sessions if we then feel that it would be desirable and of benefit to you.
How long does it last?
The length of time that you might continue with therapy depends on your presenting issues and what you get out of therapy. This can be discussed at the initial consultation and reviewed on an on-going basis. Each session will be weekly and will last 50 minutes.
How much will it cost?
The initial consultation will cost £50, payable on the day. On-going sessions will also be £50 per session, payable on a weekly or monthly basis. If you are on a low income or unemployed an adjustment to this fee could be discussed at the initial consultation.
