Caroline Cowley
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This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
About me
Searching for the right therapist can feel overwhelming — you've taken an important first step by being here. I welcome you warmly.
I'm a qualified, pluralistic counsellor, offering a safe, non-judgmental space where you can talk openly about what's on your mind. Whether you're looking to work through a specific issue, seeking personal development and self-knowledge, or have a general feeling that life could be more fulfilling, I'm here to support you. It's important to me that you find a therapist who feels like the right 'fit' for you and your unique needs.
I offer both short-term and long-term therapy, in-person in Bournville, South Birmingham, and online across the UK. My face-to-face sessions take place in a comfortable, bright, modern room, while remote sessions are conducted via Zoom
My practice
My practice is grounded in person-centred values: I believe that you are the expert when it comes to your own experiences, thoughts, and feelings. As a pluralistic counsellor, I integrate various therapeutic approaches to support you in navigating life’s challenges and fostering meaningful change. Our work together will be a collaborative partnership, with you taking the lead in exploring what's important to you.
Through my training in bibliotherapy and therapeutic creative writing, I bring a distinctive, creative dimension to therapy. With a PhD in literature and a passion for poetry, I welcome clients interested in using journalling, creative writing, and storytelling in counselling. These methods are available as part of an integrative approach and can be woven into our work alongside traditional therapeutic techniques, providing a unique and personal pathway to self-discovery, where it resonates with you.
Through my role in a local agency, I have had the privilege of helping clients navigate a wide variety of themes, including depression, anxiety, identity, perfectionism, relationship issues, and more. I also have significant experience in supporting neurodiverse individuals, especially women with ADHD. I deeply value the richness of each person's background and strive to create an environment where you can feel heard, respected, and supported, regardless of your experiences, background, and identity.
Emetophobia therapy
If you struggle with a fear of being sick or feel anxious about others' illness, you're not alone. Perhaps you avoid public transport, stick to 'safe' foods, or worry that your fear of sickness is impacting your ability to be the parent you want to be. Maybe the idea of having children feels overwhelming or out of reach due to your phobia. I understand how challenging it can be to talk about emetophobia and how isolating it can feel. I'm here to provide a non-judgmental space where you can openly discuss your fears.
With personal experience and an academic background, I specialize in working holistically with individuals with a phobia of vomiting. My approach is collaborative and informed by the latest research on emetophobia and related issues. As there are few therapists specialising in emetophobia, finding support can be particularly challenging. I work online with clients from across the UK on this issue and also offer face-to-face sessions in South Birmingham.
Your First Session
Before committing to counselling, I invite you to a free 15-minute online consultation via Zoom. This is an opportunity for us to get to know each other a little better. You can ask me any questions you may have about my practice and approach, and I'll ask you a bit about what has brought you to consider counselling. This will help us both determine if we're a good fit to work together.
If you decide to proceed with counselling after our consultation, we'll schedule our first full session. During this session, we'll explore your needs and what you hope to gain from our work together in greater depth. I'll create a safe, supportive space for you to share more about your current situation, life experiences, and anything else you feel is relevant. We'll also discuss the terms of our work together and I'll gather some essential details to ensure that counselling is safe, ethical and productive.
Throughout our first session, my focus will be on understanding your unique perspective and challenges. We'll begin to collaborate on identifying your goals and mapping out a path forward. This session will lay the foundation for our therapeutic relationship, which is built on trust, empathy, and open communication.
Availability
I currently work in-person in Bournville, B30 or online via Google Meet.
Face-to-face sessions take place in a bright, comfortable room which is easily accessible by train and bus from across Birmingham and the Midlands. On-street parking is available nearby.
Please contact me for my current availability.
Get in touch
Starting therapy can feel like a big step, and finding the right therapist is crucial. If you have any questions or want to discuss how counselling could help you, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Please note that I will be out of the office from Friday 20th December 2024 to Monday 6th January 2025.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications
- Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling (CPCAB)
- Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
- Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills
- Introduction to Counselling (Open University)
Recent CPD
- A Pluralistic approach to therapy
- Health anxiety (more than just hypochondria)
- Polyvagal theory
- Working with sex and intimacy
- Working at relational depth
- An Internal Family Systems approach to trauma
- Creative writing for therapeutic purposes (ZunTold)
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.
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
Emetophobia (Fear of vomiting/others vomiting)
Therapies offered
Fees
£60.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Payment: Bank transfer (preferred) or Paypal
All payments must be made at least 48 hours prior to the session start or the session may not go ahead.
Further information
- Registered with the Information Commissioner's Office
- Full, enhanced DBS check
- Regular supervision, as per BACP requirements
- Full professional indemnity insurance
