Caz Binstead
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Specialisms: Anxiety, Self Esteem, Social Anxiety, Relationships, Bereavement.
WHAT IS COUNSELLING
Counselling is a place for you to talk in confidence about issues or problems that might be affecting you. Coming to counselling is a courageous step, particularly if you are dealing with difficult or overwhelming feelings. I aim to create a safe and trusting space, and value the relationship between client and therapist as the most crucial element.
People come to counselling for lots of different reasons. Sometimes we feel down, depressed, angry, or that anxiety is taking over our lives. Maybe we feel stuck - in a relationship, job, or just with life in general. Are we trying to cope with life circumstance such as a bereavement, illness of a close family member of friend, or issues with relationships? Perhaps, we are struggling with a knock to our confidence or a lack of self esteem. Whatever it is that may be making us unhappy, I am fully aware of how hard it can be for people to make sense of, or hey beyond these experiences.
Having worked previously as an NHS counsellor, I have a broad range of experience, and respect and embrace anybody looking for support.
I have a special interest in working with anxiety and stress, as well as anxiety disorders such as OCD, panic attacks, social anxiety, self-criticism and shyness (to name but a few). Anxiety is a natural part of life, but for some people, it can take over their lives. A build up over time of anxiety or stress, can also often lead to ensuing questions around self-identity and self-esteem. I know how difficult it can be to live a healthy and productive life if you are feeling stressed or anxious, and the affect it can have on ourselves and our relationships. I use a variety of methods - working on everyday techniques to manage in the present, whilst also addressing anything underlying; looking to improve your life overall, and prevent issues returning in the long-term.
And, I have specialised experience in:
Working with Bereavement, loss and grief: I worked for a Bereavement counselling service for some time; counselling friends and families of people that are struggling to cope after the death (or illness) of a loved one. I have also worked for a dementia charity (in conjunction with St, Thomas' and Guys hospital)
as a qualified clinical supervisor, overseeing supervision of counsellors and psychotherapists. Losing someone unique is hard, and being able to express your feelings and thoughts after a bereavement is extremely important. Whether it is a past or recent loss, we can work through how this has affected you and the wide range of feelings that can surface. We can respect and remember the person in the sessions, and explore questions that come up about death and your beliefs around this. I find this work to be incredibly humbling, and embrace all that clients want to bring to sessions to help with the grieving process. Change and loss is a fundamental, yet often difficult, part of life. It is not exclusive to bereavement, and many people who seek counselling do so because there is a transition in their life that they are struggling to copy with. Life is an ever-changing process and this can be a struggle for humans -something that connects us wherever we are in the world.
HOW I CAN HELP…
I can provide an environment for growth and understanding, where we can work together to express and explore feelings. As we will hold weekly sessions together, a regular and constant base is provided for you to bring whatever you feel is important each week. Most importantly, you will feel listened to and supported in our work together.
Training, qualifications & experience
WORK
I have experience with a diverse range of people in the voluntary and private sector and for the NHS
I currently work as a counsellor and therapist in private practice, London, and am also a writer. I have worked for 12 years in private practice now, and hope I can offer my clients a wealth of experience.
I work with young people (age 12+) in my private practice, and have worked for the BRIT school as a young person counsellor.
Previously, I worked for the NHS as a counsellor, counselling team leader and counselling co-ordinator. My NHS work has given me plenty of experience in many areas of counselling, as well as the opportunity to work with clients from all walks of life.
I have worked onsite at surgeries, including Hetherington Group Practice and Clapham Family Practice. In my capacity as a therapist , I continue to keep good links with GPs in these, and other local practices.
Other experience in previous organisations, include working specifically with: bereavement, relationships and sexuality, anxiety, depression and mental health (for MIND), and addiction.
I enjoy giving back to my profession, and previously sat on the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) Private Practice Committee. I’ve also acting as a spokesperson for them contributing to articles and national press, as well as writing for ’Therapy Today’ magazine and the Private practice toolkit.
QUALIFICATIONS
My initial training and qualification was obtained through study on a BACP accredited course. Here is the link to my BACP profile: https://www.bacp.co.uk/profile/f3adc7b9-4d90-e711-80e8-3863bb351d40/Therapist
Integrative counselling combines different elements of psychological theory to enable flexibility and greater exploration in the work. As an integrative practitioner, I can also work in an eclectic way with the client to find suitable and comfortable techniques that most suit the person. People respond to different styles, and I am pleased to be trained in the following disciplines:
*Gestalt *Existential *Psychodynamic *Mindfulness *CBT *Person-centred *Transpersonal *TA
I have also further studied Mindfulness Psychotherapy at the OMC, Oxford, and offer MBCT, CBT and ACT for those looking for practical, techniques to help manage present day symptoms.
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
- Couples counselling, marriage counselling and relationship therapy.
- Anxiety disorders: Agrophobia, Body Dysmorphic disorder, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Claustrophobia, Low self-esteem, OCD, Panic Attacks, Perfectionism, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) , Self-criticism, Shyness, Social Phobia/Social Anxiety Disorder.
- Addiction/compulsion (Alcohol, Co-dependency, Drugs, Gambling, Love, Sex and any other compulsive behaviours).
- Working through abuse: both childhood and adult (sexual, physical, emotional and neglect).
- Family Systems (past process, and impact on relationship in the here and now)
- Shame and guilt.
- Spirituality, religion, counselling and philosophy
Fees
£90.00 per session
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I work afternoons, evenings and weekends.
£90 per session (50 min. session).
I offer a ‘sliding scale’ fee structure, which allows reduced rates for those seeking counselling who are unemployed, on a low income - therefore receiving some form of universal credit, or, for full-time students. These are offered at specific timeslot (mostly daytime), and are subject to availability. Please enquire on first point of contact.
When I work
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Feel free to contact me to find out what availability I currently have. I offer slots which are either:
* In-person (in my consulting room)
*Online
*Walk and talk/outdoor (on Clapham Common).
Further information
I offer counselling and therapy to individuals: men and women, all cultures, faiths, and sexual orientations.
I work privately in Clapham, and practice in the evenings and afternoons.
Please feel free to contact me for availability, or if you have any queries or questions.
My contact details, along with further information about me and the services I offer, can be found on my website.