Caroline Sykes
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Sometimes life is just plain awful. Sometimes things we felt we could cope with become so difficult you don't even know where to begin. Other times you don't 'feel yourself' and you just can't work out what’s going on.
In our sessions, I’m going to do my best to REALLY find out what’s going on for you, how you feel and what it means – for you. My hope is to build a relationship with you where you feel welcome and comfortable to share whatever your experiences, feelings and worries are. We’ll work together to understand what’s going on and explore ways of dealing with whatever it is, however that feels realistic for you.
Our sessions are all about you – but you get all of me as well - my focus, empathy, honesty and insight plus my warmth, curiosity, and a firm belief in your ability to find a way through. I’ll listen – properly. No jumping in, no trying to sound better or worse, no advice about what I’d do if I were you. Together we’ll talk, and I’ll follow you, asking you to fill me in more here and there, and through the talking, listening, our growing understanding, (and repeat), you’ll find your way through with me alongside you. Everything will be done with care, and your best interest in mind.
Science tells us that talking about our feelings can help. Our hearts tell us the same, when someone truly gets us, it can feel like a weight has been lifted. Giving yourself time in counselling can be a great kindness to yourself.
I remember it feeling like a shot in the dark trying to find a therapist who might suit me by reading these profiles. I had some idea of the type of therapy I wanted, but what felt most important was meeting someone I liked, I could trust, and who I felt got me.
With that in mind, please feel welcome to give me a call or drop me a line to see if we seem like a good fit for one another. It’s a no-obligation conversation where any and all questions are welcome.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications
- Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
- Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People
- BSc Hons Psychology
Experience
My experience started as a client. My counselling didn’t take away the difficult bits, the experiences, and parts of me I’d rather have forgotten but it gave me precious space to feel difficult emotions, to express myself without constraint or judgement and feel supported to consider possible changes in my life. It gave me a caring space where I could be brave enough to hear my own voice. That experience led me to train as a counsellor. I’ve gained experience as a volunteer for a bereavement charity supporting people through grief and loss, and a local mental health charity supporting people with a range of experiences. Alongside my work at Elements Therapies, I work for a charity as a Young Person’s Counsellor.
Before training as a counsellor, I worked as a marketing manager in banking and the public sector, and for the last 9 years in primary education supporting children with additional needs.
I firmly believe in the healing power of nature and movement that feels good. I offer walking sessions for those who would prefer their sessions outside.
Additional training
I undertake regular training as part of my continuous learning and development.
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
Therapies offered
Fees
£50.00 per session
Free initial in-person or telephone session
Concessions offered for
When I work
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