Bernadette Dean
Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.
This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Are you feeling unheard and invisible at times? Like no one truly understands what you`re going through? Whether its struggles with relationships, food or living in a world that doesn't seem to fit for you can all feel overwhelming and isolating at times. Are you looking for someone who not only has the training but also has lived experienced and their own understanding of these challenges in life?
Hi I'm Bernie, I aim to offer a supportive space both in person and online where you can talk openly about relationships, disordered eating and/or the challenges that living as a neurodivergent person can present.
Can you relate to feeling anxious, depressed and overwhelmed at times? Are you struggling to connect with others which then leaves you feeling isolated? Do you find yourself stuck in patterns with food or navigating a world where you are constantly having to make adaptions leaving you burnt out ,shut down and exhausted? Are you wondering if you might be ADHD, Autistic or both AUDHD? If so you don't have to go through this alone. Would you like to explore this with someone who has navigated this unique process? Together we can focus on making sense of what this is like for you and explore your experiences.
Trauma Informed Approach
Felling unheard or invisible is often rooted in past experiences of trauma and unmet needs. With the use of a trauma informed approach I aim to create a space that respects and supports your needs.
Relationship counselling
Would you like to explore your relationship with yourself or as a couple ? Are you experiencing relationship problems and struggling to communicate effectively? Does this leave you feeling stuck disconnected and unsatisfied in your relationship? Sitting alongside you I offer a space to explore your communication styles and the unique challenges that being in a relationship you may often face.
I aim to meet you where you are in your relationship whilst navigating your uniqueness as an individual as well as exploring how you bring different parts of yourself into your couple relationship.
Whether you are feeling stuck in your relationship or struggling with issues related to but not limited to infidelity, family conflicts and intimacy, through individual and joint sessions, self compassion, growth and change can take place .
Disordered Eating
Would you like to explore your relationship with food without judgement? Including Binge eating, Restrictive eating, Anorexia, Avoidance of restrictive food intake disorder (AFRID) Health and sensory challenges . Due to having personal lived experience this lead me to do further training with disordered eating, neurodivergence and their connections. I aim to offer a compassionate understanding space to explore your journey and support you in your healing, you don't have to be alone
I offer compassion along with the use of psychoeducation to help you gain empowerment in understanding your behaviours & emotions . When working with someone who is suffering with disordered eating, if necessary we can work together collaboratively with a team of experienced professionals where together you get the support you need, these include nutritionists, movement & personal trainers.
Who am I?
I feel it is particularly important for you to see the real me in the room. I am passionate, down to earth, open and honest, whilst being ethical and professional . I have lived experience with neurodivergence ADHD and Autism and the process of a formal assessment and diagnosis as well as self diagnosis. I am a integrative counsellor (meaning I am trained and combine different types of therapy)
Where am I?
As well as offering online sessions to accommodate wherever you are in the country ,I also work from 2 locations including a therapy room on a farm setting in Laceby, N.E Lincs & The Enterprise Centre in Louth, Lincolnshire Both locations have free onsite parking, access to a comfortable waiting area with drinks available, disabled access, toilet facilities and each room is equipped with individual chairs, a sofa and space for a wheelchair.
Training, qualifications & experience
I have 7 years experience in counselling, in which I have Worked in a GP surgery, a charity counselling placement with individuals and groups who have experienced Sexual Violence & Domestic abuse, a local counselling service working with a diverse range of adult clients and have been working in my own business for the last 2 years
I have a special interest in Intimate relationships with the self & others which lead me to do extra training as a relationship counsellor .
I continue to do extensive training in Neurodiversity, Eating disorders and Disordered eating which included Binge Eating, Restrictive Eating AFRID ,Anorexia , Senses , Working with the Bariatric Client, Masking, Camouflaging Connections with food, The Digestive System, with the Neurodivergent client in mind.
I have specific training with cruse where i continue to be a bereavement support worker
Although I continue to train in different areas I work with you as a individual not a issue .Two people can bring the same issue but I believe we each of have our own unique experience. Although if we feel I am not the right counsellor for you I will do my best to help you find someone who is experienced & trained to meet your needs
Here is a list of some of my training, I continue to develop my training on a regular basis. I attend supervision at least every 4 weekly to adhere to the requirements of my membership with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy which provide an ethical framework to work by
Qualifications
- Fda Person Centred Counselling
- BA hons Person Centred Counselling
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) Diploma
- Couples Counselling Accredited Course (NCIP)
- Advanced Diploma Neurodiversity Eating Disorder Disordered Eating
Continued Training Development
- Advanced Diploma in Eating Disorders & Neurodiversity (NEDDE Training)
- Bereaved by suicide (Cruse)
- Certificate Abuse (IWTC)
- Certificate The Inside of Autism,( The Autistic Advocate)
- Certificate Treating Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Certificate Transactional Analysis 101
- Certificate Cruse Bereavement Support Worker
- Certificate Working Online/Telephone (Cruse)
- Eating Disorders & Disordered Eating with the Neurodivergent Client in mind .Introduction (Module 1 NEDDE Training)
- Embracing Neurodivergent Clients and Eating Diversity (Module 2 NEDDE Training)
- The Critical Role of Nutrition in Eating Disorders, Disordered Eating & Neurodiversity (Module 3 NEDDE Training)
- Safeguarding level 2
- Sexual Violence Trauma Training (Zoe Loderick)
- Self harm and Suicide prevention level 2 (TQUK Certificate}
- Trauma Awareness (Cruse )
- Trauma Focused Therapy (The Link centre)
- Weight Stigma , Fat Phobia and Diet culture in the Therapy Room (The Fat Therapist Workshop)
- Working with Couples & Compulsive Sexual Behaviour (CORST Introduction Course)
- Working with Kink (CORST0
- Working alongside Trans, Non -Binary & Questioning Clients (CORST)
- Working with suicide remotely (Cruse}
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
Photos & videos
Fees
£50.00 - £97.50
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Individual therapy £50 for 50mins £60 for 60mins £90 for 90mins
Couples therapy £65 for 60mins £97.50 for £90mins
When I work
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | |||||||
| Afternoon | |||||||
| Evening | |||||||
| Night |
My working days are Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursdays and times vary between 9am & 6pm. I do not have any evening availability at the moment.
