Alison Swindin
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Do you sometimes feel like you’re the one carrying it all—holding everything together, even when the weight feels overwhelming? You don’t have to face it alone. I’m here to support you with compassion and empathy, to truly understand your experiences and help you find ways to feel more in control, and better able to cope with life’s demands.
Hi, I'm Alison, a Therapist working with Individuals and Couples.
I became a Counsellor because of my personal journey, which included the unexpected challenge of caring for a partner with a long-term chronic condition. Through this and other lived experiences means I have invaluable insight into the emotional, mental, and physical demands various situations can bring. It's helped shape my deep commitment to offering compassionate and understanding support, knowing first hand the difference that Counselling can make. I can understand the challenges you might also be facing but I also recognise that everyone's situation is unique. Scenarios such as :
Parenting teenagers
Menopause
Empty nest feeling
Supporting elderly parents
Bereavement
Loneliness
Blended families/family issues
Divorce/Separation
Infidelity/affairs
Work-related stress
Whatever your challenges are, I’m here to support you with compassion and understanding, helping you move forward in a way that feels right for you.
When clients ask how many sessions they’ll need, I explain that it’s entirely up to them. This is your time, and we’ll shape it around what feels right for you, flexible and tailored to your needs.
Appointments are either online or face to face in a comfortable room at my home in Darrington, (J40, A1), 10 minutes' from Xscape (J32, M62) or Pontefract Centre.
I understand that taking that first step can sometimes be the hardest. You don't have to do it alone. Lets have a chat, I offer a free 20-minute phone call to help you feel comfortable before starting therapy. To arrange a convenient time please email or call/ text 07459 036603 - I aim to respond within 24 hours.
About Counselling
Counselling offers you a safe, confidential space where your thoughts, feelings, and experiences are the focus. I’m here to listen to you without judgment, helping you to explore what’s on your mind in a way that feels right for you. Together, we’ll work towards solutions that align with your needs or discover ways to help you cope more effectively. I’ll support you in recognising patterns that may be unhelpful and use approaches that are uniquely tailored to you. The focus is on helping you grow emotionally and personally, so that you can feel more confident in your decisions.
Counselling is not about telling you what to do or giving advice. It’s a professional space free from judgment, criticism, or imposed beliefs. It’s all about your personal journey and growth.
What to expect
Our first session is a “discovery session” to explore your goals and reasons for seeking counselling. This is a safe space for you to share and process emotions. Together, we’ll build a trusting relationship—so that you feel confident in knowing that you are truly supported.
Next step
If you've managed to read this far and feel I am the right person for you-please get in touch, I look forward to hearing from you. Book an introductory call or a 50 minute session. If you're still not sure if I am the right therapist for you , please click the save button to come back to this page later. Thank you.
Training, qualifications & experience
- SEG Awards ABC Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, Wakefield College
- TQUK Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism.
- SEG Awards ABC Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills, Wakefield College.
- SEG Awards ABC Level 2 Award In Counselling Concepts
- CPD Course and Certificate from the Open University and BACP- Working Online as a Counsellor
- CPD Courses in
- Working with Trans and Gender Diverse clients
- Exploring Suicidal Risk with Clients, practical and relational ways of working with Suicidality
- Working with trauma
- Self harm awareness
- Working with addictions
- Bereavement awareness.
Member organisations
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
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£40.00 - £70.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Fees and payment will be discussed at the initial sessions.
Individual Face to Face Counselling £50 for a 50 minute session.
Couples Face to Face Counselling £60 for a 50 minute session(£75 for 75 minutes).
Online discounted rate of £40 for Student Counsellors and Unemployed. Student ID or proof of unemployment required.
For face to face in Wakefield an additional £10 on the rates shown above.
When I work
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I offer online and face to face counselling Monday/Tuesday/Weds/Thursday. Occasional appointments Friday morning. Face to Face in Darrington, limited availability Wakefield(no evenings)
Further information
Endorsements
K from Pontefract September 2024
You have been incredible and the biggest rock to offload to when I needed it the most. I feel I would not be as strong as I am now if I hadn't come to see you so I just want to say a huge thank you.
A from Northampton- September 2023
I'm so glad that I found Alison. She has provided me with a compassionate, kind and non-judgemental listening ear at a time when I needed it the most. I never thought I'd be in the position to need to speak to a counsellor and was very nervous about what it would be like, but she made it as easy as possible and helped me to navigate the challenges I was dealing with. As a result I now have the tools and the self-belief I need to be able to face whatever comes my way. I cannot thank Alison enough and would recommend her to anyone who feels like they are struggling and might be hesitating to get some extra help.
Z from Pontefract- April 2024
I have used Alison for nearly a year and she has changed my life. I originally started for help with OCD & Anxiety and went on to offloading anything that that got me down or overwhelmed and I've benefitted so much. My thought process, coping mechanisms, the boundaries I have daily to help me and learning how to process things differently. I'm a different person and my kids, family and friends are like "wow, who is this new person" Its so lovely.
I cannot thank Alison enough and still plan to use her on an ad-hoc basis when I get overwhelmed or anxious and the world gets on top of me.
