Carol Woolley


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
Welcome. I am a BACP accredited counsellor offering short and long term therapy. I have many years experience counselling adults, young people and children 5+ in a variety of settings. I have a special interest in counselling children and young people and have experienced how early intervention can bring about change. In many cases this drastically reduces the possibility of any longer term more deeper complex problems.
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 at school. Every child or young person should receive the mental health support they deserve, I find it alarming when I hear in the media just how many young people are unable to access the support they so desperately need. Very often, this group find it extremely difficult voicing their concerns/fears, which can lead to self-harm, total withdrawal or in the worse case scenario taking their own life.
Younger children often find it easier to express themselves by using different forms of play therapy as they cannot always verbalise how they are feeling. I provide a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space where thoughts and feelings can be explored, expressed and acknowledged through the use of a particular art form. This form of therapy enables the child to process their feelings which can ultimately lead to a positive outcome through the use of play.
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
school 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 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

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.

Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Ehlers-Danlos syndromes - a group of conditions that cause very flexible joints and stretchy and fragile skin.
Therapies offered
Fees
£50.00 per session
Additional information
My fee is £50 per session (in some circumstances a concession may be available). Sessions are weekly and last for 50 mins. My fee for family sessions is £55 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 40 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.