Andrea Allard
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About me
Hi, I’m Andrea, a counsellor and psychotherapist, and I run A Bit Of Perspective. I work online with individuals across the UK. My practice is especially geared towards women, but everyone is welcome.
I support people with anxiety, depression, addiction and identity. My approach is integrative, drawing mainly on person-centred and psychodynamic work, with Motivational Interviewing alongside it. I also use a lot of psycho-education, because understanding what’s happening in your brain and body can take a surprising amount of the fear out of it.
I’m Marmite when you first meet me. I have a dark sense of humour, I cut through the BS, and I’m playful, but I’m always warm and I take your story seriously. I also love music. I might ask what you’ve been listening to lately, because it often tells us more about how you’re feeling than a straight “how are you?” does.
I have a Master’s in Psychology and I’m a Level 4 counsellor. I’m an accredited registrant of NCPS and an individual member of BACP. I also work in the NHS in a crisis service, so I’m very comfortable talking about the hard stuff, including suicidal thoughts.
Sessions are 50 minutes. The fee is £40 for students and people on benefits (proof will be needed), and £60 for everyone else. I offer a free 15-minute consultation, so you can see whether we click before committing.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Psychology
- Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (UK)
- Diploma in Mental Health and Addictions (Canada)
- Qualified teacher
- Trained in Motivational Interviewing
- Professional memberships
- Accredited registrant of the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS)
- Individual member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
Training and approach
I trained in integrative therapy, mainly person-centred and psychodynamic, and I use Motivational Interviewing alongside it. Psycho-education is a big part of how I work, because understanding what’s happening biologically can take a lot of the fear out of anxiety.
Experience
I’ve spent three years working for the NHS First Response Service as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner, which in practice means crisis counselling. I’m experienced in supporting people through suicidal thoughts and in working with psychotic symptoms in a clinical setting. In private practice, I work with anxiety, depression, addiction and identity.
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.
The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations. In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
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
£40.00 - £60.00
Additional information
Sessions are 50 minutes. The fee is £40 for students and people on benefits, and £60 for everyone else. Proof of student or benefit status will be needed for the £40 rate.
Payment is made in advance via Wise.
I offer a free 15-minute consultation, so you can ask questions and see whether we’re a good fit before booking.
I ask for at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or rearrange a session. If you cancel without 24 hours’ notice, the full session fee will be charged.
Further information
I work online, so you can see me from wherever you feel most comfortable. I’m available in the evenings and early mornings, which can make it easier to fit sessions around work, study or family life.
If you’re not sure counselling is for you, or you’re not sure I’m the right fit, book the free 15-minute consultation. There’s no pressure, and it gives us both a chance to see whether we click.
My practice is especially geared towards women, but everyone is welcome. I’m happy to talk about the difficult stuff, and I’ll explain what’s going on in your head and body in plain English, because it often makes things feel less scary.
I receive regular clinical supervision, carry professional indemnity insurance and hold a DBS check.
I ask for at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or rearrange a session.
You can find out more about me and how I work at abitofperspective.com.
