Colleen Downey
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
I am licensed in the UK and a registered member of the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists (MBACP). I have experience in helping clients with depression, stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & eating disorders. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.
WHAT IS PSYCHODYNAMIC COUNSELLING?
Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy is a modern model of traditional Psychoanalysis. Psychodynamic therapists believe the mind is dynamic with different forces (these forces can sometimes be opposing) working within us simultaneously at any one time. The forces within our psyche 'colour' our views of ourself and the world around us and influence the way we live our lives and the choices we make.
The Unconscious and Past Experiences
Our past experiences leave us with impressions - some we can recognise, and others have unconsciously been taken on board. When we approach new situations we bring with us our past experiences to make sense of the 'here and now'. Difficulties may arise when unhelpful patterns of behaviour/ways of relating which were instilled earlier on are then applied to the present. Psychodynamic therapy helps to identify unhelpful patterns so they can be recognised and thought about consciously and thus, providing us with a greater understanding of out selves and improving our ability to make the changes we desire.
How do the Sessions Work?
Sessions are normally held once (sometimes twice) a week, at the same time on the same day to create a stable routine and to help build trust in the process. However, bi-weekly sessions will be considered. There is not assigned homework and the therapist does not have an agenda but works directly with that which the client chooses to bring. The therapeutic relationship is believed to be a key ingredient to understanding our established patterns of relating and can be a powerful tool for helping us understand ourselves and our personal dynamics.
Training, qualifications & experience
Additional areas of focus: Depression, Family conflicts, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, ADHD, Hoarding, Jealousy, Obsessions, Compulsions, and OCD, Paranoia, Personality Disorders
- BA (Hons Early Years)
- MSc Psychodynamics of Human Development
- MA Psychodynamic Counselling
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
Therapies offered
Fees
£50.00 per session
Free initial online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Limited concessions Available - £40.00
When I work
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I offer a free 30 minute Zoom consultation which provides the opportunity to get know each other a little more and for you to be able to share with me why you have chosen to start therapy.
