Charlene Birmingham
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Hello, I’m Charlene. I am a qualified and experienced counsellor offering both in-person and online sessions to adults.
I don’t know about you, but I think it takes a lot of courage to admit to ourselves that we need a bit of support.
As we go about our daily lives getting through the best we can, we may notice ourselves struggling to keep our head above water, or feelings of anxiety and depression emerge. You may be dealing with relationship difficulties or unhelpful life patterns. Perhaps you’re feeling lost and wondering ‘how did I get here?’ This can be an unsettling place to be. I hope to support you in whatever situation you find yourself in.
How counselling can help
I can offer you a warm, respectful and safe space where you can say what you actually think and feel without fear of judgement. I will support you in gaining greater awareness about your situation.
As a humanistic counsellor, I believe that somewhere within we have inner resources to help us navigate our way through the ups and downs of life. In our sessions, I will support you in accessing these resources, and explore what might be getting in the way. Our relationship is an important part of the process too - together we will work towards whatever changes you would like to see.
My Humanistic training covered Person Centred, Transactional Analysis and Gestalt approaches which allows me to work with clients and their unique needs, rather than a ‘one size fits all’ approach. There are many layers to our identity and our sessions will be a space where all parts of you are welcome.
Just like life, the therapy experience is usually mixed. It can be challenging as you begin to connect with unfamiliar parts of yourself. I will support you in being with these experiences safely and at a pace that feels right for you. There is also space for humour in therapy - all is possible!
Whatever brings you to counselling, the process of getting to know yourself more can lead to you experiencing more inner confidence and a greater sense of connection with yourself and others.
How to get started
If you would like to book an initial session, please get in touch. If you have any questions about how therapy might work for you, I offer a free 20 minute telephone consultation. Please contact me via the email link on this website, or if you prefer you can text me on 07949 359739.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a qualified counsellor and an Accredited Member of BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy). I abide by the BACP ethical framework.
I work with adults 18+.
Experience
I have worked with a diverse range of clients in terms of age, gender, class, sexuality, ethnicity, disability, neurodiversity. I have practised as a counsellor at a substance recovery service and at local community counselling services. I have also worked at an Employee Assistance Programme providing counselling support to clients from public, private and charity sectors presenting with a wide range of personal and workplace difficulties.
I have over 20 years’ experience of working within universities and currently provide mental health support to university students.
Professional qualifications
- BSc Hons Reflective Therapeutic Practice from Metanoia Institute in Ealing, London (awarded by Middlesex University, London).
- Diploma in Humanistic Counselling from Metanoia Institute in Ealing, London.
- Transactional Analysis 101 course from Metanoia Institute in Ealing, London.
I undertake regular clinical supervision which supports my counselling work and development.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
I engage in CPD activities regularly to support my practice and development, including:
- The Hungry Ghost, A Biopsychosocial Perspective on Addiction, from Heroin to Workaholism
- A Matter of Death and Life
- Working with Depression. An Integrative and Creative Approach
- Suicide Prevention
- Trauma Conference
- Diversity and difference
- Brief therapy
- Working with clients taking prescribed psychiatric drugs
- A series of National Autistic Society modules
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
Individuals working/studying at a university.
Life transitions.
Therapies offered
Fees
£65.00 per session
Additional information
I charge £65 per 50 minute session.
Fee for organisations is £70 per 50 minute session.
I can see you in person in a setting that supports social distancing, or if you would prefer to stay online for now, that's fine too.
When I work
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Further information
I aim to respond to all contacts within 48 hours.
If you would like to book an initial session, please get in touch. If you have any questions about how therapy might work for you, I offer a free 20 minute telephone consultation. Please contact me via the email link on this website, or if you prefer you can text me on 07949 359739.
If we decide to work together, we will schedule in a regular weekly appointment time. Please provide 7 days’ notice for cancelling an appointment in order to avoid being charged.
