Ben Amponsah

MBACP (Accred), MBPsS

Manchester, M12 4JD

About me

I am a friendly experienced BACP Accredited Counsellor and Counselling Psychologist (in Training) who operates from a fully serviced office close to Manchester's Piccadilly Station. I have, since I was very young, been interested in what makes people tick and that is why I chose Psychology as my first degree. After a stint as an Army Officer and then a Recruitment Consultant I landed back in the world of counselling and psychology by joining an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) Work based counselling organisation. I worked in that industry for over 13 years before branching out as a private practitioner counsellor, having gained my counselling qualifications some years earlier.

My main areas of speciality have traditionally been counselling in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT), Human Rights (with victims of torture/serious trauma) and Workplace arenas (EAP) but I have counselled outside of these with young people (14 and older) and Groups as well.

I can work either face to face, online or over the telephone.

I work with 6-12 sessions and then review with my clients. This is to get a focus on the work. I do work with some of my clients in an open-ended way.

Always happy to have a free initial consultation/assessment to see whether we are a fit and then take things from there.

Training, qualifications & experience

I have been counselling since 2002 and to date have completed more than 2400 counselling hours.

I have a Post Graduate Diploma in Advanced Studies in Counselling, University of Manchester, 2006; Certificate in Coaching, University of Middlesex, 2012; BSc (Hons) Psychology, University of Bristol, 1991.

I am currently part way through a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology.

I am an Integrative Counsellor working with my clients on the best therapeutic approach for the issues that they bring. I mainly use Gerard Egan's 'Skilled Helper' Integrative framework with a humanistic base and strong influence of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic and Solution Focused approaches.

I am also an EMDR (Eye Movement, Desensitisation and Reprocessing) qualified therapist-this is only one of 2 NICE approved therapies for working with people struggling with PTSD/Trauma.

I am experienced in assisting clients in the following areas: AIDS/HIV, Anxiety and generalised anxiety, Bereavement, Cultural issues, Depression, General counselling, Identity problems, Life Coaching, Loss, Mens Issues, Mental health issues, Obsessions, Personal Development, Post-traumatic stress, Redundancy, Relationships, Self Esteem, Self Harm, Service Veterans, Sex related issues, Sexual identity, Sexuality, Stress, Trauma, Work related issues.