About me
Introduction
Currently welcoming new clients, immediate availability for Face-to-Face sessions
Hello, I am Colin, an experienced, warm, empathic psychodynamic counsellor, providing therapy for individual adults. I work from my peaceful garden room (photos below), in the village of Markyate, close to St Albans, Redbourn, Harpenden, Luton and Dunstable. I also offer sessions on line.
I am deeply passionate about my work, and am committed to providing a space where you will be genuinely heard and understood.
I also offer supervision for other counsellors.
How I work
As a psychodynamic counsellor, I will help you to explore how your past experiences may still be shaping and contributing to the distress and pain you are feeling in your life today. I work relationally, which means the relationship between us becomes an active part of the therapeutic healing process. How we relate to each other in the therapy room can gently reveal unhelpful patterns, feelings and expectations that are present in your everyday life-this new insight often gives us something important to work with, helping to identify alternative choices that could lead to living a more happy and fulfilling life.
In our sessions you'll have the space to slow down and focus on your feelings. We pay attention not only to your experiences outside the room but also to what happens between us-the emotions, reactions and patterns that arise in the therapeutic relationship. This can be a powerful way of understanding how you relate to others.
Together, we will explore what lies beneath the surface and identify repeated patterns that no longer serve you well. As these patterns become clearer, you can begin to find different ways of relating to yourself, to others and to the world-opening the door to a more confident, grounded and fulfilling life.
I work openly and honestly, sometimes gently challenging old beliefs whilst always maintaining sensitivity and respect.
I am committed to a safe, confidential and non-judgmental environment where you can move at your own pace.
I regard each client as an individual, with their own, unique story, which I will listen to with care, curiosity and respect. My aim is to help you find meaning, self-worth and purpose in life, and alleviate the emotional weight your'e carrying.
Why counselling?
You may be feeling misunderstood, undervalued, powerless or simply confused about what's going on inside. Perhaps you are feeling more angry, sad or lonely more often than you'd like and are unsure as to why.
Counselling can feel daunting at first, choosing the right counsellor matters-my role is to make this process feel safe, steady and supportive from the very beginning.
Getting Started:
If you would like the opportunity to discuss either the way I work or the issues you are facing before committing to counselling I offer a free 20 minute phone call (free of charge and without obligation). Please contact me by phone or e-mail to arrange it-I aim to respond to you within 24 hours
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications:-
- Post Graduate Diploma in Contemporary Therapeutic Counselling (University of Hertfordshire)
- Certificate in Contemporary Therapeutic Counselling (University of Hertfordshire)
- Certificate in person-centred experiential counselling for depression (Metanoia Institute)
- Certificate in Clinical Supervision (Metanoia Institute)
- Professional liability insurance and enhanced DBS check certificate.
Experience:-
I have 12 years of counselling experience, as well as a wealth of previous experience working with people in the corporate world.
As a therapist, I have worked with adults, couples and young people, in private practice, NHS, HM Prison Service, and within the highly respected counselling team at the Sadie Centre in Letchworth, and currently, the Hitchin Counselling Service (as a supervisor).
Currently, I work with adults over 18, from all ages and backgrounds, on a weekly and open-ended basis.
I have a particular interest in working with people who experience depression as wells as those who have suffered at the hands of narcissistic parents/carers, male identity issues (including retirement), work related concerns/problems and Grief from Loss and Bereavement.
Many of my previous clients have also been able to work through daily issues around neuroversity (both diagnosed/undiagnosed)
I also have experience and interest in working with issues around:
Anxiety, Depression, Stress, Self-Esteem, and Family/Relationship issues.
Continuous Personal Development
In order to keep my work up to date and relevant, I am committed to continuous personal development, by attending regular training events and workshops. I also undertake regular supervision of my work, in line with BACP guidelines.
Background prior to counselling
Before training as a counsellor, I spent 35 years in the corporate world in various managerial roles, before taking the leap to re-train as a counsellor-This led to roles working within education (SEN), the voluntary sector (youth mentoring) and setting up my own gardening business, before my qualification as a counsellor in 2016.
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
I have a particular interest in working with the children of narcisstic parents, men's issues, ageing and retirement
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£70.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
- Free initial conversation or email exchange
I provide my clients with a private, quiet and comfortable garden room at my home - there will be nobody else present during the session.
Sessions last for 1 hour and are normally arranged on a regular, weekly and open-ended basis, at a time that is agreed between us. On some occasions, if you are temporarily unable to meet face to face, sessions can be held by Zoom or over the phone.
Concessions are available on a discretionary basis (including counselling students). Payments can be made by cash, cheque or by direct money transfer. If you wish to pay by direct transfer the details will be given to you upon booking, payment by direct money transfer before each session.
When I work
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I predominantly work across tuesday, wednesday and thursday, daytime and evenings-I can be flexible!
Further information
I work from my office set in my peaceful and mature garden
Off street parking is normally available and is free.
