Allison Spink
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Hello...
I get that it’s not easy to find space for yourself or to feel able to ask for help when you become overwhelmed or are struggling to manage and make sense of difficult feelings, thoughts, situations or experiences... but sometimes we just get stuck.
Stuck in our uncomfortable emotions; stuck in our obtrusive thoughts; stuck in our family, work and intimate relationships; stuck in our lives - and often it can feel like we’re on our own in this.
That’s where counselling comes in... I believe that we tend to get stuck for valid reasons. Stress, anxiety, depression, fear, anger, frustration, conflict, confusion, sadness, loneliness, low self-esteem, confidence and energy, relationship difficulties, trust issues, disrupted sleep, numbness, boredom - sometimes their appearance can bring our awareness to something that may need attention.
Talking, being heard, understood, validated, can be the first step towards exploring what is getting in the way of you getting the life that you want and gain insights into what may be causing ‘stuckness’ and preventing you from thriving - and you don’t have to walk this journey on your own. Together we can get curious and in a safe space, reflect on what may be going on.
I offer a space of mutual trust and respect, for you to reconnect with you and find within yourself the self acceptance, compassion and inner confidence to create healthier boundaries, choices and relationships. Whatever the personal challenges and difficulties you are facing, individually or within a relationship, I will step into your world with you and help you to make sense of it all so you can find your own way forward - at your pace.
I believe that you do matter, that you are worth self-care, self-compassion and deserve to thrive. You may not feel that you have the time or resources for this right now, but if or when you choose to, I am here and looking forward to working with you.
NEXT STEP:
If you would like to take the opportunity to work with me, you can use the contact details above to message me or ask questions via email or text and I will contact you back. We can then arrange an initial assessment session - in this session, you can ask questions, decide if you feel you can connect with me, and we can discuss what you may like to get from counselling. If after this you are happy to go ahead, we can arrange ongoing sessions.
Being aware that finding space for yourself may be difficult, I offer some evenings and weekends : )
Training, qualifications & experience
TRAINING & QUALIFICATIONS:
I am qualified Counsellor with a Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling and a registered member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP). I hold full public liability insurance and a Certificate of Proficiency from the BACP.
I am a Level 1 and Level 2 BWRT® practitioner and can work solution focused and effectively with fears, phobias, anxiety, stress, limiting beliefs and trauma. BrainWorking Recursive Therapy® works with the body's natural reactions to neutralise existing negative triggers, causing unwanted thoughts, emotions and behaviour, and replace them with new neural pathways, created by yourself, that have a preferred or beneficial response - Find out more at www.bwrt-professionals.com
I am also a certified IMAGO relationship therapist. Relationship counselling helps to create a safe emotional environment that allows you both to begin to gain a better understanding of your relationship on both a personal and intimate level, navigate the more challenging spaces within that relationship, and work towards realistic, manageable goals to start healing the relationship as a whole - wherever you both decide to take that relationship. For couples that choose to consciously uncouple, the aim is to support you both to work amicably and respectfully towards closure.
I am committed to continuing professional development and some of the additional certifications, workshops and training I have attended are: Foundation Certificate in The Application of Polyvagal Theory in Counselling & Psychotherapy; Certificate Counselling Couples; Certificate CBT; Single Session Therapy; Bereavement, Loss and Grief; Inner Child approaches; Inner Critic approaches; Attachment; Breathwork for Anxiety and Trauma; Mindfulness and Compassion Orientated Integrative Therapy; Guilt, Intimacy and shame work; Effective Anger Management Tools; Menopause; Working Effectively Online in Zoom for Counsellors & Psychotherapists...
EXPERIENCE & BACKGROUND:
Previously to private practice I used to be a recovery support worker, a volunteer with a charity offering counselling for carers, and a volunteer counsellor in supported accommodation for vulnerable adults in recovery . Previously to qualification, I volunteered with a national helpline, offering support and understanding via telephone, text and email.
Before training to be a counsellor, I worked in the creative industry and as such have a good understanding and overview of how high pressure environments can affect mental health, wellbeing and relationships.
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.
Accredited register membership
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
£55.00 - £75.00
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
15 minute telephone contact: Free
Initial session (assessment): £55 for 50min face to face or online.
Individual counselling: £55 for 50min face to face counselling, online and telephone.
Couples / relationship counselling: £75 for up to 90min face to face counselling or online.
BWRT®: £55 for 50min face to face therapy or online - Some BWRT® sessions may require 90min at £75 - Some sessions may be for a longer period and the price and time scale for these will always be discussed in advance.
Payment methods are via bank transfer, cash or cheque.
Concessions below offered pending current availability.
When I work
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Being aware that finding space for yourself may be difficult, I offer some evenings and weekends as well as daytime appointments : )
Further information
My rooms are located in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, and are easily accessed by car and train. There is a wheelchair accessible room within the building available on request.
Being aware that finding space for yourself may be difficult, I offer some evenings and weekends as well as daytime appointments. Please message me via email, text or telephone with any queries that you may have or to book an appointment. I usually respond to queries within 48 hours.
