Amanda Wanless
About me
CORONAVIRUS: If you are impacted; for example you are a key worker, worried about a close friend or relative or struggling with anxiety, loneliness, fear or grief please see my website for tailored help packages. As with all my counselling currently, these are being held via Zoom, Skype or telephone. As soon as government restrictions permit these can switch to face to face sessions if you prefer.
Are you looking for someone who is experienced, warm and approachable? Then I can help.
People come and see me for many reasons. There may be something specific; a death or the breakdown of a relationship or you suffer from anxiety or depression. Perhaps you have no focus and feel time is passing you by. Alternatively you may just feel like life is kicking you in the teeth. and you are sick of feeling sad.
Whatever the reason, don't struggle alone. If you feel you are unable to share with friends or family or that isn't enough; talk to me and together we can work it out. I'm here to listen and help you explore and make sense of things without judgement or bias. My aim is then to help you move forward in a way that is right for you
In our work I will always be open and genuine with you, which at times may include challenging your thoughts and feelings. Typically, I will work with you in two ways; concentrating on what is happening now and also exploring your childhood or any early trauma. In my work I often find that how a client reacts now is closely linked to the past.
Choosing a counsellor is daunting. At first it may seem hard, possibly embarrassing, sharing your inner thoughts and feelings to someone who initially is a stranger. However, if you can take that first step, then I will do my very best to help.
Typically I meet with clients in my private, quiet and comfortable counselling room. This is located in High Barnet and is convenient for transport links. Free parking is available. However, because of Coronavirus, all sessions are currently being held via Zoom, Skype or telephone. Appointments are available Monday to Saturday, including early mornings and late evenings.
The above is just a very basic outline of my work but please contact me if you wish to know more. There is no commitment and then if you wish you can have an initial meeting, where we can explore your counselling need further.
Training, qualifications & experience
After spending over 20 years in the corporate world, I decided to get off the hamster wheel, re-train and have subsequently worked in Education, Youth and Family Services. Roles have included being a Family Support Worker and a Youth Mentor.
My counselling experience is varied and includes working with adults and young people in both private practice and within a counselling organisation, school and charity. Whilst I am a general counsellor I have a lot of experience in loss, bereavement, anxiety & depression and young people.
My work is primarily person centred focusing on the core conditions of empathy, congruence and unconditional positive regard and is firmly rooted with the ethical framework of the BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy) of which I am a registered member.
I hold both a Diploma in Counselling and a Foundation Degree in Counselling. I am also committed to ongoing training to enrich my counselling practice. This has enabled me to bring in aspects from other counselling modalities such as psychodynamic and CBT.
Member organisations
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
Photos & videos
Fees
My standard charge is £50 for an individual 50-minute session. This initial meeting is charged at £25.
Concessions to the standard fee are available.
Coronavirus Support: I offer discounted pricing for key workers and also an introductory package for non-key workers.
Payments can be made by cash, card or by direct money transfer. If you wish to pay by direct transfer the details will be given to you upon booking. Payment by direct money transfer is required before each session.
Concessions offered for
Further information
Counselling sessions
Initial Assessment Session
In our first meeting I will carry out an informal assessment. The purpose is to find out what has brought you to counselling and what you wish to get from our work together. It’s also an opportunity for you to ask any questions that you may have. Typically, in this meeting I will ask questions about your personal history and current situation, as well as your family background.
From this conversation, I will be able to decide whether I can help you and even more importantly, you can decide if you think you will be comfortable in meeting with me.
If we both feel counselling will be beneficial, I will give you copies of my terms and conditions and my privacy statement. We can either go through these in the meeting or you can take them home and read them.
Regular Sessions
If after the initial assessment you wish to start counselling, we will agree on a convenient time to meet each week.
We will carry on speaking together regarding your thoughts and feelings. We will work together to find the cause of these feelings and look at ways to manage or move forward with them. The sessions will go at your pace and we will focus on what you wish to bring to each session to work on.
