Colin Houlihan
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Welcome! Lots of profiles, aren't there?
The paradox of choice sets in; how do I choose the right person?
IS there a right person? And what even is Gestalt therapy anyway?
The truth is, there is no way of knowing until you try. There aren't any 'wrong' choices, and you will learn what you are looking for as you explore. But there is something that brought you here, isn't there?
So let me tell you a little about how I work, and how I can help you.
My name is Colin, I am an integrative counsellor and coach, with experience in working with a range of complex issues and in challenging situations. My approach is collaborative, active, and holistic. I offer a reliable, confidential and non-judgemental space to help you explore your inner thoughts and feelings and support you in times of transition, distress and emotional need.
We all have the right to be heard and seen, sometimes we can get stuck along the journey of life and encounter challenging thoughts and emotions. Experience the freedom of living authentically, a life of meaning and joy...
Why me?
As you may have seen there are many qualified Counsellors, Coaches and Psychotherapists. I am one too, but here is the interesting part - I combine all three approaches! Gaining understanding and insight into who you are, what you are experiencing, and how you can find a way to manage these thoughts, feeling and emotions is extremely powerful, and empowering.
You could expect humour, smiles and tears - sometimes all in one session!
If you are ready to take the next step, then please call or email to set up an initial session. In this, we talk about what you want to get out of counselling and you can see if you would like to work together. If you're happy to continue at this point, we will set up further sessions at a time that works and begin our work together.
I welcome any questions, and I look forward to speaking with you!
Training, qualifications & experience
My background is in social theory and research, with a focus on suicide; its causes, prevalence in a variety of societies, and what can be done to prevent it. After volunteering with MIND (a charity helpline for people in distress) I wanted a more active role in helping people, so I qualified as a therapist.
- Undergraduate in Sociology at Lancaster University (Thesis: Social determinants of Suicide)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Integrative Counselling and Coaching (Distinction)
- MSc Integrative Counselling and Coaching (Distinction) at the University of East London
- Registered with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
Psychotherapy & Coaching approaches integrated:
- Psychodynamic (your past and relationships, the role of the unconscious, defence mechanisms)
- Existential (meaning making, managing anxiety evoked by mortality/isolation/meaninglessness)
- Gestalt (integrating different aspects of the self into a united whole, emphasis on the therapist being 'involved' & using the relationship)
- CBT (inter-connectivity of thoughts, emotions and behaviour - understanding the impact of our 'core beliefs', homework between sessions)
- Person-Centred ('self-actualising' tendency of people in right circumstances, unconditional positive regard, shared 'frame of reference')
- Solution Focused (strengths-based approach, pre-existing solutions & client capabilities are available to utilise)
- Transactional Analysis (Parent/Child/Adult ego states, relational/relationship patterns with ourselves and other people)
- Coaching (varied models: GROW/Skilled-helper - more focus on future goals, achieving behaviour change, overcoming obstacles)
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
- Life Coaching
- Career Coaching
- Relationship Issues
- Self-worth
- Lifestyle Management
- Social Anxiety
Therapies offered
Fees
£80.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
- In-person £80
- Online/Telephone £65
- Concession rates for NHS key workers & students.
All sessions are 50 minutes, unless otherwise agreed in advance. All our work is completely private and confidential, and how we decide to work together is always open to review - you are free to change your mind at any time.
When I work
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Please get in touch to discuss your requirements and to check availability.
