Dr An Andries
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Hello, my name is An.
I have helped people over the past 26 years as a GP, hospice doctor and as a counsellor. I'm able to support you with issues such as nervous system dysregulation (fight, flight and freeze), attachment trauma, anxiety and depression, bereavement counselling (including miscarriage, termination of pregnancy, infertility), chronic physical health problems, cancer, terminal illness, couples counselling, relationship problems, stress and work related issues
As a former GP, I have a passion for studying the function of the human nervous system. Research shows that people who experience less than ideal circumstances in early childhood (and even later in life) can end up with a nervous system that is in a constant state of dysregulation (Are you familiar with the feeling of being in fight/flight or freeze a lot of the time?)
In order to survive, many of us learn to function on automatic pilot. We feel we have no choice but to keep going. And when we stop, we either feel overwhelmed with anxiety or a sense of restlessness or we feel numbed out, exhausted or low in mood.
This in turn can keep us stuck in a vicious cycle of unhelpful thoughts and beliefs, unhealthy behaviours, overwhelming emotions or a sense of deep shame and loneliness. We develop coping strategies like people pleasing, avoiding conflict, irritability, anxiety and depression, and this all takes a toll on our physical health. We might end up with chronic physical health problems and we might also struggle in relationships.
In order to start healing emotionally and physically we first need to learn how to get safe again in our own bodies. Once we experience more safety in our system, we can explore how what happened in our past has contributed to our current experience and we can start healing our trauma.
I've been told I'm down to earth, warm and accepting. What I bring to the table is not only textbook knowledge but also my personal experience of slowly but surely overcoming old stubborn "survival patterns", fears and obstacles.
A small action in the present moment can lead to substantial positive changes in the future: Please contact me today to organise a 30 minute, free introductory call to find out if we are a good fit.
Some of the feedback I have received from my clients:
"Thanks so much for all your help. I've seen quite a few counsellors/therapists over the years with my OCD/PTSD and by far you have been the best. The way you worked with us was outstanding. I didn't expect our work to have such a positive impact on me personally, I feel like the old me again."
" I never believed I could 'open up' as much as I have. To have An let me talk and encourage me was enlightening!"
" What was most helpful for me was having a safe environment to discuss, share and express my fears, worries and thoughts about my changing relationships with my parents and about bereavement"
Training, qualifications & experience
Training and qualifications:
- Somatic EMDR practitioner (Embody Lab) 2024
- Informed in IFS (Internal Family Systems), Polyvagal Theory (Stephen Porges), Somatic Experiencing (Peter Levine), Irene Lyon (Smart Body, Smart Mind) 2023
- Certificate in The Developmental Model of Couples Therapy (Ellyn Bader) 2021
- Advanced Certificate in Relationship Therapy (Juliet Grayson) 2020
- Certificate in Trauma (Wealden College) 2016
- Diploma in Humanistic Integrative Counselling (Wealden College) 2016
- Bereavement Care Foundation Course (Cruse) 2013
- Certificate in Counselling Skills (Wealden College) 2012
- Degree in Medicine (University of Louvain, Belgium) 1998
Experience:
- Worked with MSF in the Central African Republic and South Africa for 2 years
- Was a GP in the NHS for 13 years
- Worked as a Hospice doctor for 2 years
- Over 8 years experience as a counsellor
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 - £85.00
Additional information
I charge £60 for a 50 minutes individual session Monday to Friday during the day (8am to 4pm)
I charge £70 for a 50 minuntes individual session Saturdays
I charge £75 for a 60 minutes couples session (£85 Saturdays)
When I work
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I offer daytime and Saturday morning appointments
