Alison Johnston
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This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
About me
How therapy can help
One thing is certain, we all live lives of colour, of ups and downs, experiencing both the dark and the light, stagnation and change, moving a few steps forward while at times feeling pulled back. There are times we can pull through, and times we can't. We look inside ourselves for meaning, look to family or friends for support and answers. But there are times when maybe that isn't quite enough. When our ways of coping fall short or fail us. Overwhelm or stuckness win over, anxiety stops us from doing the things we love or depression keeps us from making the connections to people and things that give us meaning and purpose.
Reaching out for support can help, to explore the thoughts that keep us trapped in loops, emotions that we keep at arms length or buried deep for fear they'll become too much. To acknowledge not just the mind but also the body, giving voice to and attending to the symptoms that have often gone ignored (e.g. pain, fatigue, digestive upset, panic attacks).
Therapy is a place where you show a commitment to yourself, take time to get to know yourself on a deeper level. A space where you can explore how the past influences who you are today, how your thoughts and feelings affect how you move through and experience the world and how bringing your mind and body back into balance can bring you back to yourself.
How I work
I work with clients who are struggling both emotionally and physically. Whether it be the impact of past trauma from childhood/adulthood, bereavement, a chronic illness or a diagnosis of ASD/ADHD. We will work on reclaiming your sense of 'self', your confidence in your relationships and ultimately moving from surviving day to day to reclaiming the life that you want.
The therapeutic interventions we use are tailored to what supports you best in the moment, both in session and to help support you in the outside world. While my core approach is person-centred, I also use tools and techniques from somatic experiencing, cognitive behavioural and psychodynamic theory to help gently explore your thoughts, feelings and your relationship with yourself and your body.
Getting in touch
Reach out via the 'email me' button to see if I can help (please note it can take up to 48 hours to hear back from me).
You can also go straight to booking a free 15 minute phone consultation where we can discuss what has brought you to therapy, what you're hoping to gain from your sessions and I can answer any questions and address any concerns you may have.
I appreciate this is probably the most daunting part of the journey, but this is the most important step for you in terms of trusting your gut and finding the therapist for you!
From here, if you decide that I am a right person to help you, we can discuss how you would like to move forward to ensure we work in a way that helps you feel safe and seen. I work in a variety of settings, so we can find a way that suits you.
Your first session
At your first session we will complete an initial assessment together (covering important information such as your GP details, pertinent history of mental/physical health, previous experience of counselling and any safeguarding concerns) as well as identifying your main concerns and goals. This first session ensures I have all the relevant information to support you and keep you safe.
Training, qualifications & experience
- Level 5 Certificate Working Somatically with Trauma in Therapeutic Practice (CPCAB)
- Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (CPCAB)
- Level 3 Certificate in Therapeutic Counselling (CPCAB)
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 National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations. In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
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.
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
When I work
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I'm available Monday, Wednesday and Thursday (9am to 3pm)
I also have a limited number of morning slots on Saturday (9am to 12pm).
Further information
I offer sessions in-person, in nature, online or over the telephone.
I see in-person clients from a therapy centre in South Liverpool which is wheelchair accessible and has accessible parking.
I do offer a limited number of home visits for clients who need it. A suitability and safeguarding assessment will be done to ensure sessions can be carried out safely and confidentially.
