Andrew Alexander
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Growing up in the 1970s and 1980s was an intellectually enriching experience. My parents hailed from distinct cultural and religious backgrounds, exposing me to diverse values and beliefs at an early age. Navigating the dichotomy of my parents' expectations for me to adhere to their individual cultures and religions presented challenges.
This upbringing fostered a critical mindset, enabling me to make independent choices and cultivate a deep appreciation for equality and diversity. I respect varied perspectives and maintain a non-judgmental stance. While my family provided guidance, the onus ultimately rested upon me to forge my own path. Embracing differences has allowed me to explore and comprehend the world in a profound manner. I have been married for 26 years and have four children aged between 14 and 30 years.
My approach to therapy: authenticity, honesty, and transparency. Employing empathy as a cornerstone to connect with clients, I believe that meaningful change can occur within the therapeutic relationship. Person-centred therapy, a humanistic approach, places the individual client at the forefront of the therapeutic process, focusing on their unique experiences, values, and perspectives.
I strive to create a safe and non-judgmental environment where clients feel accepted and understood. My practice is grounded in genuineness and empathetic engagement, aiming to develop a solid therapeutic relationship built on trust and respect. Currently, I conduct sessions from a confidential space in my home for online consultations, and I see clients in person at Broadmead Community Church, Broadmead Avenue, NN3 2QY, Northampton.
Training, qualifications & experience
I have over 25 years of experience working in a residential setting as a Lead Support professional. My role involves assisting young adults facing mental health difficulties, dual diagnoses, emotional and behavioural challenges, as well as learning disabilities.
Additionally, I serve as a volunteer Counsellor for the Child Adolescent Bereavement Counselling Service within the NHS. This vital service provides individual and group bereavement counselling to children and adolescents in the Northamptonshire area, either at schools or the NHS’s children’s outpatient department. I am honoured to contribute to this essential service.
I have undergone checks by the Disclosure and Barring Service and hold an enhanced DBS certificate for working with children and vulnerable adults. Furthermore, I possess full professional indemnity insurance and adhere to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requirements.
Qualifications/Training Relevant to Counselling and Working with Children and Young People:
· BA Honours in Psychology and Sociology
· Introduction to Transactional analysis with The Berne Institute
· BACP Certificate of Proficiency
· CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
· CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies
· Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling
· NVQ Level 5 in Leadership and Management Working with Children and Young People
· NVQ Level 4 in Health and Social Care
· NVQ Level 4 in Registered Managers Award for Adults
· NVQ Level 3 in Looking after Young Children
· Safeguarding/Child Protection
· Keeping Children Safe Online (NSPCC)
· Equality and Diversity
· Seminar with Missing Persons Unit and RISE
· Attachment: Knowledge and Practice with CAMHS
· Child Sexual Exploitation
· Flashbacks and Mental Capacity Act
· PTSD and Bulimia
· Deprivation of Liberty Training
· Self-Harm with Young People
· Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing and Mourning
· Trauma-Informed Responses
· Mentalisation in Self Harm in Adolescence (UCL Conference with Peter Fonagy)
· Child Protection
· CORC Training (British Red Cross)
· Boundaries and Structure & Attachment Theory
· Oliver McGowan Training on Learning Disability and Autism
The following are some of the issues I have addressed over the last 25 years:
· Abuse
· ADHD
· Anger management
· Anxiety
· Asperger's syndrome
· Attachment and trauma
· Attachment disorder in children
· Autism
· Behaviour problems
· Bereavement
· Borderline personality disorder
· Bullying
· Cancer
· Carer support
· Child-related issues
· Child asylum seekers
· Childhood bereavement
· Childhood bullying
· Children’s learning difficulties
· Depression
· Depression and anxiety in children
· Disabilities
· Discrimination
· Emotional abuse
· Family issues
· Feeling sad
· Gender dysphoria
· Generalised anxiety disorder
· Infertility
· Learning difficulties
· Loneliness
· Low self-confidence
· Low self-esteem
· Narcissistic personality disorder
· Physical abuse
· Pregnancy and birth
· Relationship issues
· Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
· Self-harm
· Separation anxiety
· Sexual abuse
· Sexuality
· Stress
· Suicidal thoughts
· Trauma
· Work-related stress
Bottom of Form
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
£50.00 - £69.99
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Business arrangements of our relationship.
Cost and payment:
The cost of each 60-minute session with the last 10 minutes for notes is £70.00 payable via BACS or with cash during the appointment.
Counselling students, including those that require a counsellor working in a person-centred modality, are charged at a flat rate: £50.00 per session. (Evidence from your training provider will secure this lower rate).
Please note: You must be taking a core practitioner training course in counselling. I cannot offer lower rates to those studying psychology, hypnotherapy, social work or coaching at this time and your course must be one year full-time or two years part-time where it is classroom based with at least 70% face to face tuition.
Fees will be reviewed annually. If you fail to pay or arrange payment for two consecutive sessions, you will not be able to schedule more until the debt is settled.
Cancellation:
If I am unwell or need to schedule a break in our work, I will provide as much notice as possible. If I cancel an appointment at short notice there will be no charge, and I will reschedule it. If you do not attend a session without providing notice, there will still be a charge.
If you give 7 days notice this would allow the community centre to work out the weekly plan for the room and give us time to reschedule without charge. However, if you cancel less than 48 hours before the appointment, in most cases you will be charged for the appointment. If you fail to attend any two appointments without prior notice, I will assume you no longer wish to continue, and our sessions will be brought to a close.
If there is a technical problem with an online session at either end, I will seek alternative ways to contact you (e.g., a phone call). If the session cannot go ahead for technical reasons, we will reschedule and there will be no charge.
Further information
The Key Principles of Person-Centred Therapy
Unconditional Positive Regard
Therapists maintain a non-judgmental attitude, valuing clients regardless of their thoughts or behaviours. This acceptance facilitates self-exploration and growth.
Empathy
Therapists strive to understand clients' experiences and perspectives deeply, promoting insight, self-acceptance, and growth.
Congruence
Therapists aim to be genuine and authentic, expressing their feelings and thoughts appropriately. This honesty encourages clients to be true to themselves.
Person-Centred Therapy Goals
The therapy aims to enhance self-esteem, promote personal growth, improve emotional well-being, and develop self-awareness and self-compassion. The therapist and client collaboratively address the client's needs and goals. Additional support will be discussed and provided as needed.
