Carol Woolley

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Registered Member MBACP (Accred)
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

Crowborough, East Sussex, TN6
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

Welcome. I have extensive experience counselling adults, young people and children in private practice who have presented with a variety of issues.  I am still seeing an increase in anxiety and depression amongst young teens as they face the many challenges navigating their way through a world full of uncertainties.  Very often, this group find it extremely difficult voicing their concerns/fears, which can lead to self-harm and/or total withdrawal.  I have found by providing a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space where thoughts and feelings are explored together, has proved to be immensely beneficial both to young people and adults.

I offer a Psychodynamic approach to all sorts of life problems and situations. I have also trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to complement my practice.

Although I originally trained as a Psychodynamic Counsellor, I felt it was important to expand on this model and decided to train in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques which I integrate into my practice where a more structured, goal-oriented approach feels appropriate. CBT can be really useful in helping to identify and target destructive thought patterns which have a negative impact on our emotions and behaviours.

Psychodynamic counselling involves much more than talking about difficulties. Working psychodynamically can help with thinking about problems and distress currently experienced and how these may be linked to experiences in our early years.

I believe it is important that before committing to working with a therapist, you feel as safe and comfortable as possible.  Research shows that the quality of the therapeutic relationship is the most important factor in predicting a good outcome from the therapeutic work.

Training, qualifications & experience

Accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

Westminster Pastoral Foundation (WPF) Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling.

WPF Post-Qualifying Certificate in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) Skills.

Certificate in Practitioner Skills for Eating Disorders ~ National Centre for Eating Disorders.

Certificate Counselling Children (Using the Arts) Institute of Art in Therapy & Education.

I regularly attend Conferences & Workshops as part of my Continuous Professional Development (CPD).

Member organisations

Registered / Accredited

Registered / Accredited

Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

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

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Accredited Register Scheme

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.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Other areas of counselling I deal with

Counselling Children and Young People

Children and young people have a right to be heard, understood and to feel safe

Coming from a background in education, I soon became aware of the number of children who struggled with low self-esteem/confidence, performance anxiety, anger and attachment issues. I trained as a Child Counsellor in order to provide a more structured approach to offering emotional support enabling the child to cope more effectively in school. In recent years I have noticed an increase in the number of adolescents struggling with self-harm, family breakdowns, bullying at school, eating disorders and social media concerns, sadly these young adults often find it difficult to speak to their parents and become depressed and withdrawn. It is crucial that these signs are spotted before they become out of hand. I believe this is where counselling can be beneficial in providing a safe space where the young person can be seen and listened to without having to fear being judged or criticised.

Counselling children is different to adults as they cannot always verbalise how they are feeling. Sometimes children find it difficult to express their worries, which means that problems can be left unresolved and undetected. I find using play therapy in a safe, secure setting enables children to speak about their feelings through the use of a particular art form which helps them process their feelings ultimately leading to change. It is therefore often helpful to seek professional help if it is evident that a child is anxious, withdrawn or unhappy.

It has become increasingly alarming the number of children and teenagers reported in the media recently that are either committing suicide or self-harming following traumatic experiences via social media/cyber-bullying.  These children need to feel they can voice their fear/concern either to their parents or a professional and not have to suffer in silence and alone which can often result in catastrophic consequences.

Fees

£45.00 per session

Additional information

My fee is £45 per session (in some circumstances a concession may be available). Sessions are weekly and last for 50 mins. My fee for family sessions is £50 for 50 mins.

For children it may be appropriate to have a slightly shorter session at a reduced fee.

I offer a reduced fee of £30 for an initial 50 minute assessment session which will give you a chance to see if you feel happy and safe to continue working with me - this is essential for a good therapeutic outcome.

I usually work with clients on an open-ended basis, as in my experience this is more beneficial. When it is agreed what would be most helpful to you, we can arrange a regular day and time to meet.

When I work

Monday to Friday daytime although some evening sessions may be possible.

Crowborough, East Sussex, TN6

Type of session

In person
Online

Types of client

Children
Young people
Adults
Older Adults
Families
Carol Woolley
Carol Woolley