About me
I am a qualified, experienced counsellor, registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Alongside counselling, I am also a tutor for a counselling training academy, delivering counselling courses to adult students.
My decision to train to become a counsellor came after being a client in counselling myself, so I am aware that it may feel daunting trying to find a counsellor who meets your needs.
I provide a safe, confidential and welcoming space where you can talk about and explore whatever it is that brings you to counselling - it may be something from the past, something recent, or current.
My way of working is person-centred and relational, offering you a non-judgmental space to work through your thoughts and feelings. I am down-to-earth, authentic and approachable in my nature.
I have experience of working with a range of issues and my approach enables me to work empathically with you to find your own path/answers at your pace. It may be that you just want to make sense of how you're feeling and why. I will listen to what you bring and work with you to make sense of it. I believe that every person has the ability to guide their own path, making their own choices and reaching their full potential. Therefore, I won't tell you what to do or give you answers, based on my feelings and ideas, but will support you in finding your own way, as part of the counselling process. I value my clients and I work to understand how things are from your perspective.
Getting started:
Please feel free to e-mail or call me to discuss your requirements or ask any questions about how I work, etc.
I offer a free 20-minute initial online meeting via Zoom, which will enable us to meet and discuss how I work and what you feel you may want or need from counselling. This also gives an opportunity for us to discuss whether I may be the right counsellor for you. You can then choose whether you wish to book a session, or whether you wish to think about it further. Booking and attending a first counselling session does not commit you to booking further sessions with me. This is something we can discuss too, as the decision to attend counselling is entirely yours.
I offer 50-minute counselling sessions, which are usually held on a weekly basis, but can work to other schedules if weekly sessions are not possible. Our work can be open-ended, short-term or long-term work and I will discuss your requirements and expectations at our initial meeting in order for you to decide what you may want or need from counselling.
Due to current restrictions, I am currently offering online sessions via Zoom until I am able to resume face-to-face work.
When I am able to return to face-to-face working, my counselling room is situated in a deaf awareness centre within a small shopping centre in Stevenage. The centre and room are wheelchair accessible. The shopping centre has free parking and bus stops are close by.
I am a registered member of the BACP and am bound by their Code of Ethics.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am trained to CPCAB level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling. My training, qualifications, continuing professional development and experience include the following:
CPCAB Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
CPCAB Certificate in Counselling Studies
CPCAB Certificate in Counselling Skills
- Safeguarding & child protection training
- Gender identity/trans’ awareness
- Asexuality awareness
- Tourette’s awareness
- Understanding Autism, Asperger’s and ADHD (University of Derby)
- Grief Works: Stories of life, death and surviving – Julia Samuel
- ‘Identity: Can you tell me who I am?’ – BACP
- Depression: A compassionate view (University of Derby)
- Bridging the Dementia Divide: Supporting people living with Dementia (University of Derby)
- Shame – Dr Brene Brown PhD
- Stress – The Psychology of Anxiety, Fear and Worry
- Perinatal Mental Health
- Panic Attacks
- The Role of Diagnosis in Counselling & Psychotherapy
In addition to this, I have also written and delivered experiential training workshops on the topics of Identity; Self Care & Ethics in practice and Trans’ awareness.
My counselling experience has led me to work in a variety of settings as well as private practice, which has offered me valuable experience in working with a variety of clients. I have worked with a diverse range of issues, including: Anxiety; depression; bereavement; gender; sexuality; relationship and family issues; health concerns; a variety of mental health issues; work-related stress; low self esteem; trauma; childhood experience; self-harm; bullying. However, this list is not exhaustive, so I will work with whatever your concerns are.
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.
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
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£45.00 per session
Free initial online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
£45 individuals (50 minute session)
I offer a free 20 minute initial session via Zoom for new clients.
Discounted rates:
I have a limited number of sessions which I am able to offer at reduced rate - please ask for details.
Counselling student rate - £30 per session.
Please note: 24 hours' notice is required for cancellations, otherwise there is a charge for the missed session.
Availability
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Monday to Friday - Daytime and evening availability between 9.30am and 8.30pm.
Further information
For my face-to-face sessions, I work from a deaf awareness centre which is wheelchair accessible. The centre is based within a small shopping centre which has free car parking and bus stops nearby.