Unit 43
Innovation House
26 Longfield Road
South Church Enterprise Park
Bishop Auckland
Durham
DL14 6XB
07812 053231
Alison Sowerby
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Email meAbout me
Hello,
My name is Alison. I studied at Bishop Auckland college where I was trained to work integratively which means I use tools from different models of counselling in my practice. My FdA and BA I studied at Sunderland University.
During my teenage years, my school provided counselling for me that improved my confidence and self-esteem showing me that counselling can positively affect a person's life as it did mine. My youngest child was born with disabilities I learned through experience that families like mine face hardships and heartache which need support. As my daughter grew she too has had counselling that helped her to accept herself and enjoy life to her capabilities. These experiences sparked in me a desire to support children with disabilities and their families.
Training, qualifications & experience
Along with my foundation degree and bachelor of arts I have trained in using Drawing and Talking and Rewind. Drawing and talking is a technique devised by Dr. John Allen to allow a child to visually express worries from deep within their mind that they would not be able to talk about. Over 12 sessions the child can create a story through pictures which sorts things out symbolically. I have found this to be a powerful tool to help children feel better.
The rewind technique is a method of de-traumatising people and has also been used in removing phobias. It uses deep relaxation and the imagination to process distressing memories.
Level 1 British Sign Language
I have also done level 2 in Mental health awareness, understanding diabetes and the principles of dementia care.
I'm volunteer counsellor for Butterwick Hospice where I see clients with issues relating to bereavement, long term illness and end of life. I have volunteered there since 2015.
Member organisations
Areas of counselling I deal with
- ADHD
- Affairs and betrayals
- Alcoholism
- Anger management
- Anxiety
- Asperger's syndrome
- Attachment disorder
- Attachment disorder in children
- Autism
- Behaviour problems
- Bereavement
- Bipolar disorder
- Cancer
- Child related issues
- Childhood bereavement
- Childhood bullying
- Children’s learning difficulties
- Dementia
- Depression
- Depression and anxiety in children
- Disabilities
- Family issues
- Feeling sad
- Gambling
- Hearing voices
- Hoarding
- Learning difficulties
- Loneliness
- Low self-confidence
- Low self-esteem
- Miscarriage
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder
- Phobias
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Postnatal depression
- Relationship problems
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
- Self-harm
- Separation and divorce
- Separation anxiety
- Spirituality
- Suicidal thoughts
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
I charge £35 per hour session.
£25 for half hour session of drawing and talking therapy for children aged between 4 and 16 years old.
Group session of drawing and talking (maximum of 6 children) for hour session £15 for each child.
Further information
Creative Counselling is myself and a colleague who are using drawing and talking for children and counselling for children (play therapy) and adults.
Maps & Directions
Bishop Auckland, DL14 6XB
Type of session
| Online counselling: | No |
| Telephone counselling: | No |
| Face to face counselling: | Yes |
| Home visits: | No |
Practical details
| Sign language: | Yes |
| Other languages: | None |
Accessibility
| Wheelchair access: | Yes |
The building has an accessible toilet near the therapy room.
Availability
Tuesday 9am - 7pm. Thursday 10am - 7pm. Friday 9am - 12noon
Types of client
| Children |
| Young people |
| Adults |
| Older adults |
