Amy Ridpath


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This professional is currently not accepting new clients at this time.
This professional is currently not accepting new clients at this time.
About me
WHAT I OFFER
My name is Amy; thank you for taking the time to look at my page.
I have 10 years post-qualification experience working with clients across a range of issues in both the charity and private sectors and dedicate much of my time to training local schools and community organisations on the impact of mental health issues and bereavement. I have particular success with those who may have previously found therapy daunting or difficult, as well as working with trainee counsellors looking for advice and support on how to start their counselling business.
I am passionate about the long-term benefits of early therapeutic intervention and the importance of a positive and straightforward counselling experience. I welcome individuals across all ages, racial backgrounds, gender identities, sexual orientations, and faiths, aiming to provide you with the time and space required to explore whatever is troubling you.
It is important that you take the time you need to feel confident that the counsellor you choose to work with is a good match for you or your child. If you have any questions or queries that you need answering to reassure you during this time, please do not hesitate to get in contact with me.
SERVICES I OFFER
COUNSELLING FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
Research has shown that children are less likely to continue to struggle with their mental health in adulthood if they receive support at an early age. Most children go through times where they find it difficult to cope, whether with changes at school or home, or in their personal journey with emotions, behaviours, and mental health. Many children benefit from having time set aside where they can process these difficulties and find new ways to cope.
Private therapy offers flexibility and choice, supporting you to get your child the best help possible without having to sit on a long waiting list. I work with children across a range of issues and offer flexibility in where and how we meet, whether in-person at school, online or over the telephone. This gives families choice around appointment scheduling and allows children to make decisions about how they would like to attend therapy, reducing stress and improving engagement.
If you think counselling might help your child, then please do not hesitate to get in touch. I will work with you to find a way forward through whatever is troubling them.
"Amy helped me understand and see things differently"
"I shared my feelings because if we tell each other what hurts then we can help each other"
"Life is a little easier with someone to talk to"
COUNSELLING FOR ADULTS
I provide a professional therapy service for adults going through periods of distress or difficulty. Services are flexible and tailored to your unique situation. Sessions support individuals to discuss their difficulties and any problematic feelings they encounter in a safe, confidential environment. My aim is to offer you a supportive space where you feel comfortable to share freely.
Our work together may look at root causes of issues and your unique ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving. Many clients also benefit from creating a plan of action to help them reconcile their issues or find new ways of coping.
Working together in private therapy affords you the opportunity to explore issues without concern that you will be limited to a set number of sessions. This greater flexibility supports us to organise and plan your therapeutic time at a pace that suits you.
"I found the whole experience very useful in coming to terms with the issues I had. Amy is professional, empathic and insightful. I have enjoyed my sessions."
"I felt supported and respected throughout. I have made great progress and feel this is due to the support and encouragement I have received from Amy."
GRIEF COUNSELLING AND TRAINING
As a specialist in bereavement support, I am experienced and trained in issues relating to grief and loss and dedicate much of my personal development to ongoing training in this area.
I am available for school or work-based therapy for students and staff following a sudden death, trauma, or loss.
I provide training for schools on the impact of bereavement and loss on children and young people and the ways to support and manage this effectively within the school context.
"It was a great refresher...her direct approach empowered me to be honest and forthright with my kids"
"The section about complicated grief was particularly useful, as well as the resources and ideas"
"It reminded me that I'm doing a good job"
Schools and community groups are encouraged to get in touch if they would like further information on grief training.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM COUNSELLING
Coming to counselling can be a daunting process but you've made the first step by looking at my profile here on Counselling Directory.
The next step is to email or call me. From there I can talk with you about how I might help and we can look at booking an initial assessment appointment.
During this initial appointment we will have an opportunity to get to know each other and you can ask me any questions that will help you make the decision about whether I am the right counsellor for you.
If you decide to book further sessions, then I will offer you a regular weekly or fortnightly appointment time on a day that is convenient for you.
For younger clients, sessions may include an element of play, art and creativity to encourage, challenge and promote healthy behaviours. Sessions for children and young people are age-appropriate and tailored according to each child’s needs. Topics frequently explored include anxiety, bereavement bullying, confidence, depression, family breakdown, phobias and self-esteem.
Many clients use sessions to offload those things that are troubling them. Others require more structure to their time and don’t always know what to talk about. I will seek to reassure and guide you through this process.
All sessions last up to 50 minutes. The number of sessions you will require will very much depend on your unique situation and this will be assessed on an ongoing basis. Where possible I can indicate how long I think the work might take during our first session once we have discussed what issues we might explore.
CONFIDENTIALITY AND RECORD KEEPING
An essential feature of counselling is that the information disclosed is treated confidentially to support clients to open up and share feelings without fear of blame or that their concerns will be discussed elsewhere. This confidentiality agreement includes not discussing the work with parents or carers, unless the young person requests or gives consent for this. I acknowledge that this isn’t an easy situation for parents, and it is quite natural for you to feel anxious about what may be being said in the sessions. I will seek to reassure and guide you through this process.
There are limitations to confidentiality which will be discussed with you in your initial appointment.
Training, qualifications & experience
I currently work as a private therapist for children, young people and adults across the UK and within several local schools in East Yorkshire. I am registered with a number of national healthcare providers should you wish to access therapeutic support through your private health insurance policy.
My academic training includes a BSc Degree in Psychology from Hull University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy from York St John University.
Member organisations
school 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.

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 - £65.00
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
All appointments that take place in person, online (via Skype or Zoom), or over the telephone start at £55.
Please note that I operate a late cancellation policy where the full session fee is due if you cancel your appointment 48 hours or less beforehand.
All schools and businesses looking to purchase therapeutic or training services are assessed on an individual basis. Please get in touch to discuss specific requirements.
Further information
I am a registered and accredited member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy and work in accordance with their Ethical Framework for Good Practice. I ensure ongoing professional development by attending courses and workshops and receive regular and ongoing clinical supervision.
I hold a current Enhanced Disclosure and Baring Service Certificate (DBS) and private indemnity insurance, both of which are available on request.