Alison Strutt Registered MBACP
About me
I am a qualified and experienced counsellor, registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). I also work as a tutor for a counselling training academy, delivering counselling courses to adult students.
My decision to train to become a counsellor came after having been 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 place in which you can talk about and explore whatever it is that brings you to counselling - it may be something recent, or something from the past.
My approach is predominantly person-centred and relational, offering you a non-judgmental space to work through your thoughts and feelings. I consider myself to be down-to-earth and authentic, friendly 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 are bringing and work with you to make sense of it. I believe that every person has the potential to guide their own path, making their own choices and reaching their own 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 their perspective and I work to understand how things are from your perspective.
The sessions I offer are 50 minutes long and are usually held on a weekly basis. However, I am happy to make other arrangements with you if weekly sessions are not possible. I can work on both a short-term or long-term basis with you and will discuss your requirements and expectations at our initial meeting in order for you to decide what you may want or need from counselling. This will also enable you to decide whether you feel that I am the right counsellor for you.
Getting started:
I am happy for you to call or e-mail me to discuss your requirements or ask any questions about how I work etc. There is no obligation for you to book an appointment if you wish to think about it further.
To book an initial counselling appointment, you can call, or e-mail me with your preferred day/time of day. Booking and attending a first counselling session does not commit you to booking further sessions with me. This is something we can discuss as the decision to attend counselling is entirely yours.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 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.
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
- Protective Behaviours (Foundation level)
- Bereavement in children
- CPCAB Standardisation training for counselling course tutors
- Tourette’s awareness
- Gender identity/trans’ awareness
- Asexuality awareness
- Understanding Autism, Asperger’s and ADHD (University of Derby)
- Working with children in their world, a practitioner’s response – ‘Making connections with an Autistic Brain (Phyllis Coulter) & ‘Supporting children who have experienced early years trauma and broken attachments in childhood’ (Bill Ashton)
- 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
- GDPR awareness certificate
- Stress – The Psychology of Anxiety, Fear and Worry
- Perinatal Mental Health
In addition to this, I have also written and delivered experiential training workshops on the topics of Identity and Self Care & Ethics in practice.
Although I currently work in private practice alongside teaching, my previous experience includes working with children and young people from 8-25 as well as adults. I have previously counselled in a young people’s centre; local secondary schools; Relate (Talktime) and MIND. I have also worked as an Assessments Therapist for a local counselling service.
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 individuals (50 minute session)
I offer a longer first session for new clients, which incorporates an assessment at no extra charge.
Discounted rates:
I am offering a greatly reduced rate for NHS front-line and emergency services staff - please ask for details.
For those on a low income, I have a limited number of appointments at a reduced rate, so please contact me and I will try to accommodate you, depending on my availability.
Counselling student rate - £35 per session.
Please note: 24 hours' notice is required for cancellations, otherwise there is a charge for the missed session.
Concessions offered for
Availability
Monday to Friday - Daytime and evening availability.
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.
