Chris Sansom
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...
If you are reading this then it suggests that you are considering therapy either for yourself or for someone else. I always feel it is important to acknowledge the courage that it has likely taken you to get to the point where you are exploring therapy. If you feel that my profile interests you then I would be happy to hear from you and any questions that you may have about the 'next step'.
About me....
I am an integrative counsellor (a counsellor that uses a range of approaches to meet your needs) with over 20 years experience of working as a counsellor and social worker across Essex. I am an Accredited member of the British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) which means that I have been assessed as meeting a 'higher standard' as an independent practitioner.
I currently work as a counsellor and clinical supervisor from my private counselling practice, Balance Counselling. I am experienced in working with clients of all ages and backgrounds. I work with clients experiencing a range of issues including managing anxiety, depression, family conflict and relationship issues.
I have many years experience of working with clients within social care settings as well as within the NHS and 3rd sector organisations. I spent many years working as a counsellor with children and young people within a community bereavement service.
I believe that we all experience occasions in our life where the difficulties and challenges that we face feel a little too much and the balance of life does not feel right. At such times it can be most helpful to share your feelings and emotions with others. This feels particularly important at the current time.
My intention is to provide an opportunity for you to do this in a safe and non-judgemental atmosphere where all information is treated with the utmost respect and confidentiality. Working together we will explore your experiences and emotions and seek to provide an understanding for you about how these have an impact upon your current situation.
Training, qualifications & experience
I hold a Diploma in Integrative Counselling, which I qualified with Distinction, and a Masters (M.A) in Social Work (which I also qualified with Distinction). I also hold various qualifications in counselling and working therapeutically with children, young people and adults.
Professional memberships
I am an Accredited member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP Accred.). I am also registered with the Health Care Professional Council (HCPC) as a registered social worker (RSW).
I adhere to the BACP's code of ethics and inform my practice accordingly.
Experience
I have experience of working with adults, young people and children experiencing a range of issues. I have significant experience of supporting adults and children experiencing serious illness and loss/bereavement.
I also provide professional supervision to a range of health, social care and education professionals. I also work with individuals who are seeking life coaching/personal development opportunities.
I hold an enhanced DBS check as well as full professional insurance
Member organisations
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
I have worked within the field of cancer (oncology) care and palliative care for many years and continue to provide counselling to individuals affected by serious illness and bereavement. I am employed as a counsellor supporting children and young people who have experienced traumatic bereavement's including suicide, murder and sudden and unexpected deaths.
I believe that each individual manages the impact of serious illness and bereavement differently and that a 'norm' does not exist. With the support of a counsellor an individual can make sense of their experience and their relationships and that this will be unique to each individual.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£60.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
Individual sessions:
Sessions cost £60 and are 50 minutes in length.
Concessions:
There is some flexibility for offering sessions at a reduced cost according to client need. This will be agreed at the initial consultation.
I offer a reduced rate for students requiring therapy as part of their training
Appointment times:
Mon - Friday - 8am - 4pm
I also have some limited evening availability
Location and parking:
My practice is easily accessible from junction 28 of the M25, A12 and Brentwood town centre. Parking is free outside the practice
When I work
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | |||||||
| Afternoon | |||||||
| Evening | |||||||
| Night |
Daytime and Evenings
Further information
If you would like to discuss making an appointment or have any questions at all about counselling with me please contact me on the above telephone number or email. Many clients find that a brief telephone call to ask any questions they may have is reassuring and I am happy to offer this.
Comments from former clients:
"I am so grateful.....thank-you Chris. I now know what I want from life"
"You really have been so important to me.....I cannot thank-you enough"
"You never judged me and have given me the space to begin to make the changes that I needed to. Thank you"
"Chris helped me out of a very dark place and helped me....to be able to move forward with all of my strengths and weaknesses"
"I left sessions with a clearer mind.....I felt comfortable and at ease in sessions"
(all clients have given consent for their anonymous quotes to be shared)
