Allison Nelson

Welcome. I am a BACP Accredited, highly qualified and experienced Relational Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist with the aim of helping  individuals and couples to gain a more coherent sense of self.

I am also a qualified Clinical Supervisor and Couples Counsellor.

My Masters level Psychotherapeutic training,  gained at the University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University, is accredited by the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy).  I also hold a First Class BSc Honours Degree in Psychology. (Accredited by the British Psychological Society).

My practice has been assessed and awarded "Accreditation Status" by the British Association for Counsellors & Psychotherapists. This ensures I have met the highest standards of practice as a competent, ethical and Individual practitioner.

My Therapeutic Approach

The model I am trained in is the Relational Approach which places relationships as essential to how we feel about ourselves, including the relationship between therapist and client.  This model adopts an integrative approach, underpinned by the warmth of the Person Centered Approach and  incorporating Existential, Humanistic, Transactional Analysis, Relational Psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Attachment theories. These approaches allow me the ability to offer cognitive, behavioural and affective interventions.

My Psychotherapeutic post graduate training is underpinned by my BSC (HONS) Degree in Psychology. The knowledge I have gained from this degree enables me to underpin our work together with a deep understanding of psychological processes. This helps to inform my practice; tailoring my work to match the individual needs of each client and supervisee I work with.

My private practice in Farsley, Leeds, provides a high quality Counselling Service and a safe space for individuals and couples to explore and work through their issues and difficulties.  Many client recommendations have helped me build my practice; offering you assurances I am a practitioner of the highest, caring quality. I'm passionate about Counselling & Psychotherapy as I know it can change your life; hence, investing your time with me you can become the person you want to be; altering your behaviour, feelings, thoughts, outlook and perspective, resulting in more satisfying relationships.

My background experience includes working in the NHS, Higher Education and Voluntary Sectors, GP referrals, Leeds City Council Adoption Services and Private Practice. I am a Registered and Accredited Member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) therefore offering you the highest standard of professional care.

Helping you to understand yourself

Sometimes life throws you challenges, you feel uncertain and unhappy, unable to think clearly and find a way to move forward.

Counselling provides you with the space to learn more about yourself, to work through and make sense of your thoughts and feelings and sometimes to make life changing decisions.  Some clients do not have a clearly defined problem, they simply feel lost, directionless and desperately need to find meaning to their lives.

By providing you with a caring, non judgemental and safe environment, helping you feel heard and deeply understood, so you are able to explore your difficulties and fine new ways of being, learning new strategies to cope with the difficulties you face.

Listening to you with compassion, as you share your life experiences with me, using the knowledge and experience I have gained over the years to help you gain the freedom to grow, to develop new and more fulfilling relationships with yourself and others, to become more comfortable in the person you desire to be.

INVESTING YOUR TIME WITH ME - What can I offer you?

Not only am I very experienced but I'm also highly qualified.

My academic background includes

• Masters Level Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling & Psychotherapy (Leeds Beckett University.  Accredited by the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy)
• Masters Level Post Graduate Certificate in Counselling Skills & Theory
   (University of Leeds.  Accredited by the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy)
• BSC (HONS) First Class Degree in Psychology (Open University.  Accredited by the British Psychological Society)
• BACP Accredited Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Supervision (Leeds Centre for Psychological Development)
• BACP Accredited Counsellor & Psychotherapist (Awarded by the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
• Post Graduate Certificate in working with couples (Leeds Centre for Psychological Development)

Gaining my Psychotherapeutic training from High Quality establishments enables me to offer you a relationship where we, together, can explore any difficulties you may be facing.

I have a wealth of experience working short and long term with a wide range of problems  e.g. anxiety, depression, relationship issues, bereavement and trauma, in a variety of settings.

BSC HONS PSCYHOLOGY

My Psychotherapeutic post graduate training is underpinned by a  First Class BSc Honours degree in Psychology. Psychology is the study of the mind and behaviour. As an identical twin I have had a lifelong fascination with the complexities of human relationships; what makes us the same but different.  Hence this subject was the natural choice for me.  The knowledge I have gained from this degree  enables me to underpin our work together with a deep understanding of psychological processes eg. Child Development, Attachment Theories, Neuroscience, Neurobiology, Somatic experiences, Cognitive and Developmental Psychology, Trauma and Memory Systems, further helping me to understand the struggles life can bring us and how they affect our well being.  This helps to inform my practice, tailoring my work to the individual needs of each client.

Having a deep understanding of how our experiences impact the brain and nervous system, I am able to help you understand and regulate your physical and mental health needs; providing you with a lifelong investment in your physical and mental wellbeing.

I am trained in the Relational Approach which places relationships as essential to how we feel about ourselves, including the relationship between therapist and client.  This integrative approach allows us to explore the impact of historical and new influences upon current relating and learn new strategies to cope with the difficulties we face.

Couples

Specialist training in Couples Counselling at the Leeds Centre for Psychological development has enabled me to understand the difficulties some couples encounter in their relating. I work with couples that are distressed, discouraged and disconnected.  Together, we can explore your relationship history and begin to piece together the reasons that the emotional and physical intimacy began to decline; whether that leads to helping to rebuild an empathic, fulfilling and connected relationship; or to a pathway of separation.

Bereavement

Specialist training working with loss, death and grief gained whilst working at the Bradford Bereavement Support Centre.

I realise taking the first steps to seek help can be difficult, so please feel free to call, e mail or text if you have any questions as, about my service and I will happily  respond to any questions you may have. If you leave a message I will get back to you as soon as possible, usually within 24 hours.

Client Comments:

"Coming to weekly therapy with Allison has been a lifesaver!! I was able to speak confidentially about my mind racing and my anxiety......having space to explore and understand my feelings I am now so much calmer....able to make better decisions and build better relationships.....my life has turned around!"

"Allison was caring, warm and non judgemental.....I was amazed at what i have learned about myself....I feel like a new person"

Areas of Counselling I deal with:

Counselling provides you with the space to learn more about yourself, to work through your feelings and sometimes to make life changing decisions. Challenging areas in relating may include: depression, anxiety, trauma, risk issues, suicide, loss and bereavement, affairs and betrayals, bullying, childhood and life event trauma, stress, panic attacks, relationship problems, marriage difficulties and divorce, family problems, emotional abuse, work difficulties, self esteem, addictions, anger management, work related problems and many other issues.

Premises

My practice is located in a safe, quiet, easily accessible building with adjacent parking. I have 3 newly refurbished counselling suites, with a reception area and toilet facilities. Transport links via rail and bus are very good.

Individual Counselling:  £60

Couples Counselling:      £80

Online & Telephone Counselling: £60

Trainee Counsellors welcome.

All sessions are for 50 minutes.

Cash or BACS accepted for payment.

SUPERVISION:

As a Qualified  Relational Integrative Clinical Supervisor I offer Supervision to trainee & qualified Counsellors & Psychotherapists.

Face to face, Online & Telephone Supervision

If you are looking for Supervision with a very experienced Relational Integrative Accredited Counsellor and Psychotherapist, please feel free to get in touch. We can arrange an initial meeting and, together, we can explore your Supervisory needs.

I realise taking the first steps to seek help can be difficult, so please feel free to call, email or text if you any any questions about my service and I will happily respond to any questions you may have. If you leave a message I will get back to you as soon as possible, usually within 24 hours.

Availability

I am available to see clients during the day & evenings as follows:

Monday to Friday   9:30 am to 7.00 pm