Alison Swindin

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she/her
Dip.Couns, MBACP |Counsellor at Step by Step Counselling
Accepting new clients
Accepting new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

location_on Darrington, Pontefract WF8 & Wakefield WF1
Accepting new clients
Accepting new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

I am a trained and experienced Counsellor working with Individuals and Couples.

I offer a safe space where you can talk openly, explore tough situations, and find better ways to cope without feeling judged. Sessions are Face to Face from my room in Darrington, (J40, A1), 10 minutes'  from Xscape (J32, M62) or Pontefract Centre.  I also offer Online sessions if this is more convenient. 

I offer a free 20-minute phone call to help you feel comfortable before starting therapy. To arrange a convenient time please email or text 07459 036603 - I aim to respond within 24 hours.

I have experience of working with a range of issues including:-

  • Family Challenges such as difficult family dynamics/blended families
  • Low Self-Esteem or low self-worth
  • Infidelity/Separation/Divorce
  • Retirement and the challenges
  • Bereavement 
  • Supporting Carers
  • Long-Term Health Conditions
  • Coping with the Menopause
  • Loneliness
  • Work related stress
  • Anxiety and Depression
  • Relationships and Communication

Your beliefs and judgments about yourself influence your actions and feelings. Reflecting on this can help you prepare for the future and deal with stress. Building a strong relationship and trust with me means you can feel supported in facing your challenges directly.

About Counselling

Think of counselling as a journey through your thoughts and feelings, guided by a trusted professional. Your open and honest conversations held in a safe and confidential space, will help you understand yourself better, helping to build resilience and allow you to work through your challenges. 

You will feel supported as you consider your next steps, helping you to arrive at decisions in making changes or to accept the things that you can’t change. You will reflect on your experiences and start to feel more confident in making your own decisions.

What to expect

I offer a complimentary 20-minute introductory call. (arrange via text or email) Provided you feel comfortable to work with me, we can book in a further 50 minute session.

The first session together is a "discovery session" We will be thinking about your goals and aims for the work together. You will also be giving me a deeper insight into your reasons for seeking Counselling.

I use a person-centred approach. What does this mean?

I provide a safe space: This is a judgement-free environment for sharing thoughts and feelings, helping you in processing emotions without fear.

No advice giving:  I may sign post, offer suggestions and make observations. The work will be reflective but you will feel supported, guided and sometimes challenged

The focus is on you: The approach is tailored to each person's unique background, helping to build connection between you as the client and me as your therapist.

Explores underlying issues: Helping you to work towards understanding your challenges and enabling you to begin healing.

Building self-esteem: Encourages growth towards a positive self-view, helping individuals learn to love and accept themselves despite challenges.

Focuses your thoughts on finding your own solutions: Prioritising finding solutions over dwelling on the past, and helping guide you towards emotional wellbeing.

Flexibility : it's your choice as to how often or how many sessions you need. The recommendation is weekly for the best therapeutic outcome. I offer the flexibility for fortnightly sessions and a regular review against your goals and aims.

Next step

To book an introductory call, a 50 minute session or for any questions please send a text, call me and leave a message or email me.  If you're unsure, please click the save button to come back to this page later. Thank you and I look forward to speaking to you soon.

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
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

Therapies offered

Photos & videos

Fees

£35.00 - £70.00
Free initial telephone session

Concessions offered for

  • check_circle Trainee counsellors
  • check_circle Unemployed

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 £35 for Student Counsellors and Unemployed.  Student ID or proof of unemployment required. 

For face to face in Wakefield £60 for individuals & £70 for couples . £45 for Unemployed or Student Counsellors.

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

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.    

Darrington, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF8

Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF1

Type of session

In person
Online

Types of client

Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)
Couples
Employee Assistance Programme

Key details

DBS check info

In England and Wales, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, formerly known as CRB) carry out criminal records checks for individuals working with vulnerable groups, such as children. To find out more, visit gov.uk , or contact this professional directly

Wheelchair user access info
Wheelchair user access

Wheelchair-accessible premises should have step-free access for wheelchair users and individuals who are unable to climb stairs. If a Counsellor's premises aren't step-free, they may offer alternative services such as telephone/web-based appointments, home visits, or meeting clients in different location, so you can choose the option that suits you best.

You can contact the Counsellor to discuss the options available.

Under the Equality Act 2010 service providers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that individuals with disabilities can access their service. You can read more about reasonable adjustments to help you to access services on the CAB website.

Online platforms

Microsoft Teams

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