Allison Banister - Person- Centred Counsellor MBACP (Accred)
About me
Thank you for taking the time to look at my profile.
Many of us struggle to find balance in life, for a number of reasons and this can sometimes cause us pain, frustration and unhealthy patterns.
Does change feel hard? Connect with new possibilities; sometimes it can be easier with support
Counselling is a very personal and unique experience to each of us. My role is to help my clients explore feelings and emotions during times of unease. With this in mind, I aim to create a relaxed, yet safe therapeutic atmosphere, whilst maintaining BACP principals. We will work in partnership to ensure growth at a pace appropriate and comfortable to you. I have a non-judgemental approach, placing emphasis on our time together as being ‘your space’. Counselling will always take place in a safe environment where confidentiality is paramount.
Any challenges we experience can sometimes mask other deep seated issues and lead our counselling to areas of loss or depression, anger management and anxiety, lack of confidence/low self-esteem, isolation , relationship s, work issues, bullying etc. I am committed to support clients who are experiencing and wish to explore any of these issues.
I believe it is important to respect a person’s human rights and their right to be self-governing whilst honouring the trust placed upon me. I endeavour to promote each of my client’s emotional safety by demonstrating empathy, sincerity and integrity. I have been living with a Long Term Health Condition since 2009 and constantly researched ways to keep my body and mind healthy. From personal experience, I have found mindfulness can be a way of improving your quality of life. Whatever you suffer from, whether its stress, anxiety, depression or faced with physical pain or illness, if you feel this maybe an option for you, I am happy to explore a form of Mindfulness that maybe appropriate for you.
What is Mindfulness?
‘ A mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique’.
Training, qualifications & experience
What qualifications, training or experience do you hold?
- BACP Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
- Accredited BACP Member
- Private Practice since 2012
- Time limited Mental Health Employment Pilot
- Working with client’s and their care givers living with long term health conditions
- Experience of clients with alcohol and drug dependency and those in recovery
- Victims of physical and emotional abuse
- Clients on probation
- Clients who lead chaotic lifestyles resulting in loss (i.e. children, home, family or work)
How do you continually ensure your knowledge and skills are up to date?
- I receive monthly Supervision in accordance with the BACP Code of Ethics, to ensure I am working in the best interest of my clients.
- Continuing Professional Development is a requirement as a member of BACP
- I have a passion to be current and learn new skills by means of reading, attending courses and being in the heart of people, which is why I chose to work on a time limited Mental Health Employment Pilot
- Currently undertaking an Accredited Life Coaching and Mindfulness Diploma
Do you adhere to appropriate professional and ethical boundaries and frameworks?
I am a BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) Accredited Person Centred Counsellor. I chose to be a member of the BACP as I believe in their Values, Principals and Personal Moral Qualities (www.bacp.co.uk)
What do you do to relax?
When I am not working, I am likely to be practising my own self-care. I began Pilates and mindfulness due to my own long term health condition. I love nothing more, than to put my cocker spaniel in the car and go off walking, enjoying whatever is around me. My family and friends are an important part of my life and I spend as much time as possible with them.
Member organisations
Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
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
Fees
Services
- Individual face to face counselling – I can offer Counselling in your own home or alternatively I have a private room where safe parking is available
- Couples Counselling
- Online Counselling
- Telephone Counselling
Upon request, I am willing to provide proof of relevant Counselling qualifications, insurance and BACP membership.
Fees and Payment arrangements
- Individual face to face counselling – deposit required prior to session £40.00 P/H
- Couples Counselling – deposit required prior to session £50.00 P/H
- Online Counselling – Payment is required prior to session £35.00 P/H
- Telephone Counselling – Payment is required prior to session £35.00 P/H
- I offer a free 15 minute phone consultation, prior to arranging an appointment, so we can be sure Counselling is the right therapy for you.
My fees are respectful for the service I provide. However, in certain circumstances I am willing to adjust fees and this can be discussed during our initial contact. If we agree seeing you in your own home would be beneficial, mileage fees maybe applicable and these too can be agreed during our initial telephone contact.
Further information
I embrace social diversity and inclusivity of treatment without discrimination of any kind.
Please feel free to contact me and I will answer any questions or concerns you may have. I look forward to hearing from you.
