Amber Poulastides
Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.
This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Often people will find coping mechanisms that help us survive in difficult situations, especially during childhood, when we are fairly helpless. These coping mechanisms serve us well until...well, until they don't anymore. But, as creatures of habit, these coping mechanisms don't just go away. We use them over and over, despite the better reactions and more productive coping mechanisms now available to us. Having someone to explore our current needs and options with is sometimes all it takes to become more of the person you want to be.
Knowing yourself better is beneficial for you and everyone in your life. Where are your feelings coming from? Are they really in response to your current situation, or are they carrying over from a past event? Why do they seem so unbearable? Is there a way to make it stop?
With a psychotherapist, some of the work you may do will be in the unconscious. What are your unconscious expectations about your relationships? Which thoughts or feelings about yourself are actually yours and which did you learn from your parents or friends? Who would you be if you could separate from everything your family, culture, religion, and world has dictated for you? Without pressure, overt or subtle, what would make you happy? And why would it make you happy?
Amber finds that each client has their own needs, their own way of looking at their lives and their individual ways of growing. Her aim is to help clients along their unique path to self-actualisation. In order to facilitate this, Amber's room is a confidential, warm and non-judgemental environment for clients to use as they like. She is experienced in working with people struggling with depression, anxiety, stress, bereavement, relationship issues and big life-changes.
Training, qualifications & experience
Amber qualified as a psychotherapist from the Manor House Centre of Counselling and Psychotherapy, and has an undergraduate in Psychology from Middlesex University. She is a member of the BACP and BPS.
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
£60.00 per session
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Student rates: £30 per session
Police, Medical and Military personnel: £45 per session
When I work
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | |||||||
| Afternoon | |||||||
| Evening | |||||||
| Night |
Further information
Amber offers short and long-term therapy options.
In the first session with a therapist, clients can typically expect a supportive and collaborative environment where they have the opportunity to ask questions, clarify their goals, thoughts, concerns and to begin building a therapeutic relationship.
Introduction: The therapist will introduce herself and explain the purpose and structure of the session. There may be some paperwork to complete, such as a client information sheet.
Establishing Goals and Expectations: The therapist will inquire about the client's reasons for seeking therapy, their goals, and what they hope to achieve through the therapeutic process. This helps both the client and therapist align their expectations and establish a foundation for future sessions.
Confidentiality and Boundaries: The therapist will discuss the importance of confidentiality and the limits to it. She will explain the ethical guidelines she follows and when confidentiality may need to be breached, such as in situations involving harm to self or others.
Exploration of Concerns: The client will have the opportunity to discuss their concerns, experiences, and any symptoms they may be experiencing. The therapist will actively listen, ask relevant questions, and seek to understand the client's unique perspective.
Assessment and Background Information: Amber may ask questions about the client's personal background, medical history, and relevant life events. This information helps in developing a comprehensive understanding of the client's situation and tailoring the therapy accordingly.
Discussion of Treatment Approach: Depending on the client's needs, the therapist may explain her therapeutic approach or discuss the potential treatment methods that may be used in subsequent sessions.
Building Rapport and Trust: The therapist will aim to create a safe and non-judgmental space where the client feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and emotions. Building rapport and trust is crucial in establishing a strong therapeutic alliance.
It's important to note that the first session is primarily focused on getting to know each other, setting goals, and establishing a foundation for the therapeutic relationship. The subsequent sessions will delve deeper into the client's concerns and work towards their therapeutic objectives. The specific format and content of the first session varies depending on the client's unique needs and circumstances.
