Dawn Marie Blake
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
I am passionate about helping couples and individuals struggling with relationship challenges. I understand that taking your first steps into therapy can feel daunting and will do my best to make you feel welcome and supported.
I offer a complimentary initial phone or Zoom call. I can usually refer you elsewhere if I feel another type of therapist will be of more help. Once we decide to work together sessions are open-ended and you can end at any time.
My work with couples is centred around the Gottman Method and I initially trained in the person-centred approach. I try my best to make therapy as comfortable and safe and possible and explore what works best for you. When I have a better understanding of your particular challenges, we will agree on the aims of our work in therapy, centred around your specific needs.
Training, qualifications & experience
I have a Masters degree in Clinical Counselling from the University of Chester and I am a registered member of the BACP. I began training in 2016 following a long career in the commercial world. I have worked with both private and NHS referred clients suffering from a wide variety of challenges.
I completed levels 1-3 in the Gottman Couples Method Therapy in 2021 and use this in my work with couples. I am currently enrolled in a Doctoral Programme at the University of Chester with a focus on couples counselling and relationship work. I specialise in helping couples cope with the aftermath of an affair or betrayal and also those encountering challenges with communication, conflict and connection.
I am an inclusive practitioner and as a member of the BACP, I work according to its code of conduct and ethical guidelines.
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
Comprehensive relationship assessment in conjunction with the Gottman Institute. Affairs and betrayals. Pre-marital couples therapy. Couples in crisis. Coping with divorce and break ups. Breaking the cycle in unsatisfactory relationship choices.
Therapies offered
Fees
£45.00 - £85.00
Free initial telephone or online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Initial 20-minute phone or Zoom consultation - free
Individuals
First session £45.00 one hour. Standard fee is £55.00 per hour for face-to-face and online. Block bookings - £50 per hour (4 paid in advance and non-refundable).
Couples
Sessions for couples are £85.00 for week-day per 90-minutes. Excluding assessment and crisis.
Saturday rates by arrangement.
Concessions subject to individual circumstances.
When I work
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Face-to-face therapy: Utkinton, Tarporley on Tues, Wed and Fri. Online: Tues -Fri.
Further information
The Gottman Method is beginning to gain more popularity in the UK but is still not widely known. This way of working is extremely popular in the USA and widely acknowledged there as being one of the most effective ways of helping couples. You can find out more at www.gottman.com or by searching for one of the many recent podcasts featuring Prof. John Gottman and Dr Julie Gottman.
