About me
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Andy can use a blend of approaches using Counselling, CBT, Acceptance and Commitment therapy and Mindfulness to meet a clients emotional and psychological needs. If the client prefers, Andy can use a stand-alone therapy of the client’s choice.
Andy works with clients from all backgrounds using an approach that helps clients to gain insight and to understand how issues have been developed from past events and how current issues are being maintained in order to help the client to achieve improved mental health, stability and very importantly helping the client to move forward managing any relapse and setbacks after therapy has ended.
He has worked in various mental health settings since 2005, qualified as a therapist in 2009 and has worked in the NHS as a High Intensity Therapist since 2012. Andy understands personally how difficult life can be and how important therapy can be in helping people to address and overcome their issues.
Andy has many years’ experience working with clients who have neurodivergent diagnosis and can make any reasonable adjustments to support the client on their therapy journey.
He has been a clinical supervisor since 2014 and has supervised many therapists over the years supporting therapists to work with their clients to gain positive change and recovery from a wide range of issues.
lified as a clinical CBT supervisor in 2014 and has provided high quality CBT clinical supervision for many fully qualified experienced CBT therapists over the years. Andy also has experience facilitating groups and has delivered training/workshops within the NHS and local colleges
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a fully qualified Cognitive Behavioural Therapist BSc (Hons) and a Fully qualified counsellor (FDA). I gained these qualifications at Cumbria University and Sunderland University.
I have delivered CBT workshops at Northumberland College for student counsellors.
These are the therapy qualifications and training certificates that I have achieved:
- BSc (Hons) Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Foundation Degree In Counselling
- High Intensity CBT Clinical Supervision
- Low Intensity CBT Clinical supervision
- Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
- Acceptance and commitment Therapy (ACT)
- MBCT for depression updates and developments
- Working with disassociation
- Self-Esteem (CBT)
- Working with GAD (CBT)
- Working with pain (CBT)
- Working with cancer (CBT)
- Working with panic disorder and agoraphobia (CBT)
- Working with OCD (CBT)
- Introduction to Compassion Focus Therapy
- CBT for eating disorders
- IAPT skills for working with older people
- Telephone Therapy Training (NHS
- BPS working with anger (CBT)
- BABCP CBT for eating disorder workshop
- BABCP AGM, Working with OCD
- BABCP An intergratve approach
- Mindfulness training (MBSR)
- Counselling With Eating Disorders Certificate
- Introduction To Gestalt Therapy
- Counselling Level 2
- Counselling Level 3
- NVQ Level 3 Information Advice and Guidance
- Anger Management Coaching Certificate
- Assertive Training level 2
- Assertive Training level 3
- NVQ level 3 Community Mediation Skills
- Domestic Violence Certificate
- 1st Degree Reiki Training
- Drug Awareness Level 1
- Alcohol Awareness Level 1
- Counselling With Dreams and Images (Gestalt)
- Family Mediation certificate
- Mental Health Awareness
- Counselling in schools certificate
- Working with Survivors of Sexual Abuse Certificate
- Working with Asylum Seekers Certificate
- Child Protection Safegaurding Certificate
- Working with Eating Disorder Certificate
- Changing times and changing counselling workshop
I am a member of the British Association for Counsellors & Psychotherapists (MBACP)
I receive clinical supervision once a month from an accredited BABCP/BACP supervisor.
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.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Fees
From £50.00
Free initial telephone or online session
Additional information
- £50 a session
- £50 Clinical supervision
Further information
Appraisals
'My Anxiety doesn't control me any more I control it. I have learnt to put unhelpful thoughts into perspective for example when I have an unhelpful thought I weigh the situation up and think of both sides. It isn't just black and white anymore and this has helped a lot.'
Feedback from a CBT client
"We regularly refer patients to Bliss Services for help with Anger Management problems. This is an increasing problem amongst our patient population and we are frequently asked by patients to make referrals. There is some evidence that brief CBT based therapy is useful in helping people find appropriate strategies for managing their anger. There is a gap in the provision locally for people with specific anger management issues who would not be appropriate for group therapy. We have had positive feedback from patients who have used the service at Bliss."
Feedback from Dr. E. Watson of Seaton Park Medical Group
"The counselling sessions have been very helpful in respect to my misuse and also helping me to cope and deal with problems of anxiety. Every session I have attended has helped me greatly as the feeling of pressure has been lifted after my counselling. The sessions and service has changed me as a person and helped the problems I face day to day. I have gained enough confidence to return to the working environment."
Feedback from a Mr C. Curry (Counselling client)
As a social worker and senior Practitioner at Northumberland Children Services, I have worked With BLISS Services for a number of years. BLISS is an important local service which children Services use as an invaluable source for supporting children and their families. The service is essential particularly for mediation, counselling and anger management. I would support any future funding for BLISS as it would be highly disappointing if this service was not to continue.
Sarah Bulmer. Social Worker.
The course has been excellent for me, I have a clear view of my old core beliefs and how they came about, I now understand why they are better for me, the best thing is, now I have a good understanding of thinking styles and most importantly I can use these to challenge my thoughts what ever the situation, this has helped me massively, Andy is very easy to talk to and very good at helping to understand why I think and act the way I did! Overall I think Andy and the course has changed the way I think and act for the better, and because of this I have a lot more control and a much better outlook of the world and the future, I would not hesitate to recommend Andy to anyone.
Feedback from a CBT Client
"I have got out of counselling how to challenge my thoughts when I get angry and getting my children off the register and learnt to think of the consequences of my actions and to stay out of trouble."
Feedback from a anger management client
"I learnt that you can’t die from a panic attack. I liked how easy it is to talk without getting judged. I really enjoyed talking freely.☺"
Feedback from a Counselling client
