Dawn Fretten Wilson
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Counselling is a very individual and personal process and I have an open, curious approach to my practice as a psychotherapeutic counsellor. I aim to create a calm and containing space within which we can explore whatever you need to bring. This may be general feelings of stress, perhaps of ‘stuckness’, feelings of depression, anxiety and overwhelm, or a lack of purpose or direction in life. It may be that you want to make changes around a specific issue or ongoing relationship challenges. Perhaps you simply wish to understand yourself better. However it is for you, I am committed to working with you and at a pace that is sensitive to your needs.
A background in the creative arts and personal development support my focus on and belief in the process of therapy; of feeling listened to, valued and accepted within a trusting relationship which is able to embrace challenge and contain the unbearable through the process of change. I will listen in a way that neither judges you, nor tells you what to do.
How I work
I am an integrative therapist which means that I use elements of different psychological ideas to inform the most appropriate way of working with you and your particular needs. The therapeutic relationship is at the heart of my practice alongside the essential values of empathy, acceptance and genuineness. From this calm, grounded and deeply holding relationship, I can offer you ways of working which are creative and insightful, explorative and challenging. Informed primarily by person-centred, psychodynamic and gestalt theoretical approaches, I like to work with whatever may be meaningful for you. This can include creative writing, dreams, imagery or objects. I feel that humour can be helpful too at times!
What I can help with
I can help you to make sense of identity and relationship issues; of life events and experiences - past and present; to recognise and challenge thought and behaviour patterns and gain a new perspective; or to help you find ways of coping with difficulties that you might be facing. This can lead to greater self-trust, confidence and self-esteem and also promote the discovery of a more authentic, empowered and accepting sense of yourself.
I offer face-to-face and online, open-ended therapy. Sessions are 50 minutes long and, once agreed, on the same day/time each week.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a registered member of BACP which informs my commitment to ethical practice and the provision of a safe and confidential space for you. I hold a Diploma in Integrative Counselling from the University of the West of England which is also accredited by BACP.
I have a wealth of experience in working relationally with adults and young people from many and varied walks of life. My background is in the visual arts and personal development as an Art Teacher and PSHE Education Lead Teacher in secondary and post-16 education. I have counselling experience working in a further education college, university and for the mental health charity ‘Mind’. Alongside my private practice, I have worked for ‘Bristol Mind’ as an Assistant Co-ordinator, primarily training and supervising volunteers working on the Mindline and Trans+ crisis helplines. I have also worked as Associate Lecturer on the Certificate in Counselling Skills course at the University of the West of England (UWE).
Qualifications
- MBACP (registered)
- Diploma - Professional Studies Counselling (UWE)
- Certificate -Counselling Studies (UWE)
- PD Certificate in Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE Ed) - specialising in Relationships and Sex Education (University of Roehampton accredited)
- (ATC) Art Teachers’ Certificate (University of London, Goldsmiths’ College)
- BA(Hons) 3D Design –Ceramics (UWE)
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
Concessions offered for
Additional information
£45 -Initial consultation (50 minutes)
£60 -Counselling Psychotherapy sessions (50 minutes)
£45 -Concessionary rate (50mins) 2 spaces offered
When I work
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Day and evening sessions offered.
