Babs King

Welcome! It can feel quite daunting trying to find the right therapist. Let me give you some more information about me to help you decide if I might be the right therapist for you.

I provided counselling, psychotherapy and CBT in GP practices and health centres in the North Devon area for 23 years and have extensive experience working with a wide range of issues. Additionally, I have undertaken further training and study in the fields of trauma and PTSD, bereavement and loss. I am now currently working for a nationally recognised bereavement charity.

Being a therapist is my vocation; it's what I love to do! My core training is in Counselling, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy. I adhere to BACP's code of ethics and offer a bespoke service which would be tailored to your individual needs.

Maybe you need a safe space in which to share your story, what has happened to you, to be 'heard' and supported back to a better place. Perhaps you need something a bit more structured as might be the case with for example phobias, anxiety, or PTSD.  Or you may be looking for someone you can see on an occasional basis when the need arises. I can help in all of these ways. I see adults (18+) and can offer both long and short-term therapy

Some further info on how I work:

My particular areas of interest are grief and loss, low self-esteem, personal development, trauma and anger (providing there is no risk to others or self).
We tend to think of grief as the loss of a loved one. However, grief can be a response to many other losses which are all part of the human experience. Such losses may include job loss, a home, health, a hoped-for future or self-worth. The loss of anything which we value needs to firstly be recognised and then grieved for if we are to regain our emotional well-being.

Trauma can be any life event(s) which has threatened us in some way and continues to influence our mood and or behaviour. Low self-esteem may be a consequence of adverse early life experiences or negative events in adulthood such as bullying.

Personal development is about discovering and becoming the person that we truly are. There is a basic human need to be loved and accepted and sometimes we suppress our true selves to gain that love and acceptance. An example would be taking a career path that fulfils parental hopes but in which we feel unhappy. Being able to be true to our authentic self is part of the key to leading a more fulfilling and happier life.

Society doesn't like anger, but anger is often a symptom of deep hurt or loss and if that hurt or loss can be identified and processed, there can be a resolution of anger.

If I sound like someone you would like to talk with further, I should be delighted to hear from you. Please telephone and you will reach my voicemail (which will give you a bit more of an idea about 'me'). Please leave a short message; I will endeavour to return your call within 24 hours (Monday- Friday) where possible.

Please note, there are some situations in which I am unable to work with and I will mention these here to ensure that anyone to whom this applies gets the help they need elsewhere with the minimum of delay:

I am unable to offer help where there is a past or current diagnosis of psychosis or personality disorder; where there is a significant risk of harm to self, others, or from others; where there is an active, pending or likely court case relating to the issue being brought. I am also unable to provide reports.

My fees are:

• £55 per 50 minute session (Payable in advance by bank transfer please to secure appointment)
  
  
• £40 per 30 minute review/follow-up appointment(s). (Telephone only). These shorter appointments can be offered when appropriate once the main work of therapy is complete
• My cancellation policy: I understand that 'life ' can get in the way of things.
  With 48 hours notice,  if you need to cancel, you can transfer your appointment to another time. Or if you have changed your mind I can offer a refund (less a £10 admin fee).
  With less than 48 hours notice, to cover my own costs, I reserve the right to retain the full fee

Appointments can also sometimes be scheduled fortnightly, or possibly monthly (if appropriate and not detrimental to the issues you are addressing). In these difficult financial times, this can make therapy more affordable.

I  offer a choice of telephone and face to face* work.
Sometimes people prefer telephone therapy due to the convenience and avoidance of travelling costs. And it can sometimes feel easier to open up on the phone. However, I also love meeting people face to face. It's all about what works best for you.
What to expect at your first session.
If this would be your first experience of counselling, then maybe you are feeling quite apprehensive.? This is quite normal and very understandable. Perhaps you are worried that I might ask you questions you would feel uncomfortable answering. Let me reassure you that you would only talk about what you would choose to talk about. I will ask questions, that is a part of therapy; however any questions will offer you the choice in how you might wish to respond.
Perhaps you are worried that you might be judged, let me reassure you on that point too. I am a fallible human being just like everyone else and I would hope to provide a warm acceptant environment where you would feel valued, respected and supported.

At the start of the appointment I will ask you a few brief 'adminy' type questions, check that you have fully understood about confidentiality and then it will be over to you.  You will have the opportunity to ask any questions that you may have and then to start to share your story with me. We can then decide together if what I can offer would be helpful to you. 
 

On request, I can also offer counselling with a Christian focus.