About me
Hello, I'm Cliona, and I'm a person-centred, humanistic, qualified and fully insured counsellor, experienced in working with both adults and children and young people.
Person-centred theory underpins all of my work, but I also work integratively with younger clients and am trained in the use of the proactive approach. I offer the use of creative resources with all of my clients, adapting to how they would most like to work. Traditional talking therapy can be difficult for some. I find working creatively helps people to express thoughts and feelings in a way that can be hard to put into words.
I use a neuroaffirming approach, have experience of and a special interest in working with neurodivergent clients, and offer a variety of non-traditional approaches that may help with sensory needs. One such approach is the use of Minecraft as a therapeutic tool, which I use weekly in my work. Please see my website for more information on my use of Minecraft, if this is something that interests you.
My specialism is bereavement, with years of experience working at a local hospice, offering support to those facing end of life and those who are bereaved. However, I work with many presenting issues, including anxiety, depression/low mood, low self-esteem or relationship issues. My way of working is grounded in compassion, care, empathy, respect and non-judgement. These, for me, are fundamental to establishing and building a relationship. I believe that providing these within a counselling relationship will help clients build self-esteem, emotional resilience and develop stronger coping skills in their lives.
Counselling is a journey-it is your journey, and I will help and support you to navigate your way through it, hopefully reaching a greater understanding of yourself and achieving personal growth.
I offer a free 20-minute call to talk over what is bringing you or your young person to counselling and to see if you/they might feel comfortable to meet me for a first session. My face-to-face work is based in the Wyre Forest surrounding area.
Training, qualifications & experience
- Level 2 certificate in counselling skills CPCAB
- Level 3 certificate in counselling studies CPCAB
- Level 4 Diploma in therapeutic counselling- CPCAB
- Level 5 Diploma in children and young people counselling- CPCAB
- Winston’s Wish Online Bereavement Training- Anticipated loss, Trauma and Suicide
- Levels 1 and 2- ‘Use of Minecraft as a therapeutic tool’ Ellie Finch
- Working with groups- Dr Faisal Mahmood
- Working safely online- BACP
- ’No conversation too tough’ Ruth Strauss Foundation CPD
- Working creatively with dissociation- BACP CPD
- Understanding Mother-daughter attachment- Rosjke Hasseldine- Online events CPD
- Autism and women- 6 week online course- Dr Rachel Moseley CPD
- The psychology of autism and attachment- Seed talks CPD
- Grief in the dark-bereaved by suicide- Good Grief festival CPD
- Grief school with Julia Samuel- rumination and regret CPD
- How to have life-changing conversations- about the end of life- Julia Samuel and Dr Kathryn Mannix CPD
- Oliver McGowan Training on learning disability and autism
- Prevent training (radicalisation) Level 3
- Safeguarding adults- level 3
- Safeguarding children and young people- level 3
- Professional skills in the workplace- Worcestershire and Herefordshire Chamber of Commerce CPD
- Digital skills training- Worcestershire and Herefordshire Chamber of Commerce CPD
- Supporting bereaved families following pregnancy loss and the death of a baby- Child Bereavement UK CPD
Publications:
P-10 Minecraft's role in pre- and post-bereavement counselling for children and young people: an innovative approach at a hospice
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
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
Therapies offered
Fees
£50.00 - £60.00
Additional information
Face-to-face sessions
- Adults-£55.00
- Children and young people-£60.00
Online/phone sessions- £50.00
Online sessions with CYP/Adults using Minecraft- £55.00
Fees are based on a 50-minute session
If you are a counselling student in basic training, please contact me about concessionary rates
Further information
Adult Counselling
In my adult work, I use a humanistic, person-centred approach, believing that you are the expert in your own experience. I don’t set agendas, advise or find solutions. I believe any answers you need are there, inside yourself. Sometimes it takes some help to discover these. Together, I hope we can identify objectives and work towards these at your pace. At times, I may suggest working creatively, if it feels appropriate and something you would like to try- I am trained and experienced in using art, sand-tray therapy and digital resources such as Minecraft and adapt my practice with these to work on thoughts, feelings and experiences. I find they often allow more freedom of expression, which can lead to deeper therapeutic work. I understand that deciding to enter counselling can be an anxious time, so I place value on building a trusting relationship early on to provide a solid base for the work. We will talk through a working agreement in our first session (often referred to as a counselling contract), where we establish what you need from the service and what I can offer as a counsellor. All of this takes place under the guidance of my ethical framework, which ensures I will always work in your best interest. I will regularly review this contract and our work together, and we can agree any changes needed to best meet your goals. We can agree on short-term or longer-term therapy. I work quite organically and see counselling as a fluid process, so I will adapt to your needs as we go forward. This is your journey. I can work face-to-face, online or by phone.
Children and young people counselling
I work creatively with CYP, using an integrative, proactive approach. This means I adapt to the young person’s changing needs and use a variety of resources and techniques to explore emotions and experiences. Many cyp come into counselling seeking a better sense of self, stronger identity and sense of belonging. Perhaps the changing world of childhood/adolescence has left them feeling anxious and low in mood. They may be finding it hard to navigate their world of education, friendships and technology. The proactive approach works beautifully with these goals, ensuring the work is fluid and organic, meeting those needs as they arise. I use resources and creative techniques such as drawing, journalling, sand tray play, mood/conversation cards, collaging and digital technology such as Minecraft (please see the section below for more information) to explore feelings, thought patterns and what is happening for that young person.
My person-centred background ensures I remain client-led and explore what my young client wants to explore. I offer gentleness and compassion throughout, and a non-judgmental approach.
I see CYP as part of a family unit and understand that parents and family members are integral to the work. I pre-assess young clients with their parent/caregiver to get a background on what is bringing them to counselling and how their caregivers perceive the presenting issues. The assessment and any subsequent counselling offered is carried out with the CYP alone, and planned and agreed with their needs at the centre.
Please get in touch if you would like more details of how I work with CYP and liaise with their families.
I work for a local charity from Tuesday to Thursday, delivering support in the district's schools. My availability is limited to Mondays at present and some evenings. I also offer an online service to teenagers and/or phone sessions if that is how they wish to engage.
