Alison Sowerby
Verified Professional
Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently
verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.
BA (Hons), MBACP - Integrative Counsellor
Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.
About me
Hello,
My name is Alison.
I qualified at my local college then did my degree BA (Hons) at Sunderland University. I work from a person-centered core while integrating tools from other modalities of counselling.
I learned from my school days the positive impact counselling can have on a person's life as it did for me.
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 also had counselling that helped her to accept herself and enjoy life to her capabilities. These experiences sparked in me a desire to support others.
Art has been a big part of my growing up, and research suggests that creating artwork can help a person cope with distress. This led me to use a technique known as Drawing and Talking in my work, you can find information on this on my website below. This works well with both children and adults.
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 that sort 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 by using deep relaxation along with imagination to process distressing memories. It has also been used in removing phobias. I have used the relaxation part of this technique with clients as a meditation therapy that can be used by the client at home for relaxation purposes.
Level 1 British Sign Language
I have also done level 2 in Mental health awareness, understanding diabetes, and the principles of dementia care. I have also completed an understanding of autism course.
I'm a 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)
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.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
I work with adults and children. I also do group work with children; there are 8 sessions for up to 10 children in a group using the Drawing and Talking technique details of groups can be seen on my website.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
From £30.00 to £40.00
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I charge £40 per hour session.
£30 for a half-hour session of drawing and talking therapy for children aged between 4 and 17 years old.
Group session of drawing and talking (maximum of 10 children) for forty-five minutes that may go up to an hour session £80 for each child; delivered over 8 weeks. For those who wish to pay weekly each week will be £14
When I work
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | |||||||
| Afternoon | |||||||
| Evening | |||||||
| Night |
for online or telephone appointments I am available from 6pm to 8pm
Further information
Creative Counselling Services use drawing and talking for children as a stand alone therapy or in combination with counselling/play therapy. I also offer the drawing therapy with counselling for adults should they choose this method otherwise I can counsel adults from an integrative perspective. The building is accessible for wheelchair users.
