Alison Sowerby BA (Hons), MBACP - Integrative Counsellor
About 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. I studied at Sunderland University where I obtained my BA (Hons) degree.
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 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.
I also support couples who have been told to expect a child with disabilities to help them through their difficult time and the decisions they have to face.
You can contact me via email or phone to set an initial session where we will discuss what you want to gain from counselling. If you're happy to continue we will set up sessions either weekly or fortnightly.
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.
Because of the corona virus sessions
Member organisations
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
BACP is one of the UK’s largest professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy. Therapists registered with the Association fall into a number of different membership categories such as Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP and Registered Member MBACP (Accred), each standing for different levels of training and experience. MBACP (Accred) and MBACP (Snr Accred) members have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by the Association.
Registered members can be found on the BACP Register, which was the first register to achieve Accredited Voluntary Register status issued by the Professional Standards Authority. Individual Members will have completed an appropriate counselling and/or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but will not appear on the BACP Register until they've progressed to Registered Member MBACP status.
All members are bound by a Code of Ethics & Practice and a Complaints Procedure. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Helping young couples to cope with the news they are to have or have a disabled child
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
I charge £40 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.
Concessions offered for
Availability
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday. between 9am - 6pm
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.
