Donna Garner
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
I am a qualified, BACP Registered and experienced therapist offering counselling in the Derbyshire area.
Being a counsellor gives me the opportunity to share my passion for listening and the pleasure of witnessing positive change helping us be the best person we can be living life to the full. I have an Irish background and consider myself to be open and friendly, with a relaxing and encouraging personality, I have always had a genuine interest in helping others which has helped me build many successful counselling relationships, helping people of all ages to work through many issues.
I offer Person Centred Counselling integrated with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Mindfulness if required on a one to one basis. I work within a professional premise which has a very discreet layout offering a private, comfortable and safe space.
There are times in most of our lives when we experience distressing and tragic events, which result in feelings of helplessness with no end solution in sight. Anxiety is a common theme behind many issues creating many negative emotions leading to overwhelming feelings of not being in control. At times like this it helps to feel supported, to be able to share these feelings and not feel judged. Counselling is a process which can provide this, in a confidential and safe setting, to gain more insight into yourself, your situation and allow you to find the best path forward.
Person Centred Counselling will allow you to explore any difficulties you may be experiencing in your life at your own pace. It is a humanistic approach which looks at how we perceive ourselves and reflects on our inner values and self-worth. You may not even be aware of some of these issues, but this process of exploration will allow you time to figure it out. It is very important to feel comfortable and safe with the counsellor you choose, this will help you build trust and allow a professional counselling relationship to be formed.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) may be introduced into your counselling sessions. This can help you manage problems you are aware of in a more structured way, setting goals and timescales. This is based around the concept that your thoughts, feelings and actions are interconnected, so any negative thoughts can lead to negative feelings and actions. It is a more structured approach and focuses on specific issues and looking at what can be done differently and what effects this will have on you. It encourages you to examine your actions, by changing the way we think so we can create more positive behaviours.
Mindfulness is a way of being that allows us to be fully present in the moment and in this place we are fully in control, we can learn a lot about ourselves through practicing different methods of breathing, meditation and many other ways to create a sense of calm in our minds and life.
Making the decision to contact a counsellor is sometimes the most difficult part of this process for people. The idea of sharing your most personal feelings with a stranger can be very daunting. Taking that first step can be the hardest, but most clients find once they begin to open up to these feelings and emotions you begin to feel a weight has been lifted and you are not alone. Sometimes we need a bit of support and guidance to help us find a way back to being the person we want to be.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a fully qualified Person Centred Counsellor integrated with Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT).
I studied at Warwick College and West Nottinghamshire College, from 2007 to 2011 and completed recent training from 2012 - 2023 with the following qualifications and:
- ACCPH Accredited Diploma - EMDR incorporating Hypnosis - GHSC accredited training course - June 2023
- Zenways - Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher - Certificate - accredited by international mindfulness teachers association - April 2023
- Ascentis Awarding Organistion - Level 2 Bereavement Support Foundation Course - July 2021
- CPCAB (Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body) is the only awarding body in Europe to specialise in counselling.
- CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling – October 2011
- CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling – November 2010
- CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies – August 2008
- ABC Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills – August 2007
I have attended many personal development training to increase my knowledge and share good practice, examples of these are:
- Anti-Discriminatory Practice
- Sexuality, Gender & Diversity
- Self-harm & Suicide
- Domestic Abuse
- Trauma
- Bereavement
- Mindfulness
- Dissociation And DID
I currently volunteer with Cruse Bereavement Care starting in July 2020 after 8 months training. I have worked on a voluntary basis with North Derbyshire Woman’s Aid in 2010 – for 3 years and Children & Young Peoples Service for Nottinghamshire County Council, in 2008 for 2 years.
I am a member of the BACP (British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists) and work to their ethical framework.
I am fully insured for public and professional liability.
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
£45.00 per session
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Counselling:
£45 per 50 minute session Face to Face
£40 per 50 minute session Online
Reduced rates for trainee counsellors, please telephone me to discuss.
Cancelled appointments: Appointments cancelled with 48 hours or more notice will incur 50% of charge and within 24 hours will incur the full charge.
Sessions to be paid in advance after first session by cash, cheque or bank transfer
When I work
Monday-Friday including evenings
Further information
I work online and within a professional premise which has a very discreet layout offering a private, comfortable and safe space. The first session would involve an assessment to check that counselling is the best route for you to take. This initial session takes up to 50 minutes and it will give you the opportunity to find out more about the process and suitability for counselling, ensuring we are both happy to work together.
If we agree to proceed to a second session we will agree a contract and begin our work together meeting once a week at agreed time and day.
Confidentiality
Anything you discuss in your counselling sessions will remain confidential unless it is felt that you or someone else is at significant risk of harm.
