Donna O'Connor
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
In uncertain times we, as human beings, can struggle with not-knowing; be anxious over what the future might look like; be finding relationships difficult or be unable to sit in our here-and-now. Therapy can offer a space in which to explore and process this.
I believe that when I welcome you to therapy, you walk in purely as a human being - unique and beautiful in your individuality.
Admitting to yourself that you need help is not easy - most of us want to be able to cope with every-day stresses and strains and manage life events and changes easily but the truth of it is, it's not always possible.
Counselling offers you a very private, personal space to embark on your journey of discovery, to look at what's going on for you, and around you - your sorrows and joys, your relationships, your loves and your hates, your reactions to situations and others, your ways of coping, or not coping, with the things life seems to throw at you.
In building a trusting and honest therapeutic relationship with a professional psychotherapist or counsellor who can be by your side as you journey into yourself, you can discover aspects of your self that have been hidden - perhaps for a long time - which may point you towards answers to the questions that many human beings ask:
"Why am I here?"
"What is it all about?"
"How did it come to this?"
"Who am I really?"
"What do I want?"
"Who do I want?"
"Where do I go from here?"
Perhaps things in your life are changing and you are frightened but can't let anyone see your vulnerabilities and frailties.
Much of our work will be in the 'here and now', exploring what things mean for you, both in and outside of the therapeutic space and often this can link to reactions you had in the past, offering insights into some of the fears and anxieties you have in life to-day. I have a particular interest in Existential theories and philosophies, which can work well for Neurodivergent adults, and with mature individuals and those seeking meaning in their lives.
Training, qualifications & experience
As a qualified Psychotherapeutic Counsellor, I trained integratively at University Degree level (on a full time UKCP Practitioners course), drawing from several theoretical modalities to inform my practice, including Existential and Phenomenological theory, Person Centred Rogerian theory, Psychodynamic theory and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). I was awarded a 2.1 BSc. (Hons.)
Experience:
- As a neurodivergent practitioner I regularly work with neurodivergent adults and young adults who are Autistic, live with AD(H)D, or are multi-neurodivergent.
- I work regularly with clients from the Arts and Creative Arts professions including actors, writers, performers, musicians and artists.
- I have extensive experience of working with women and women's issues related to trauma from sexual and domestic violence.
- I work face to face, outside in nature and remotely via Zoom with clients both in the UK in Europe.
I attend regular clinical supervision in strict adherence to BACP guidelines for safe and ethical practice and I commit to continuing my professional development by attending CPD events, reading professional journals and keeping up to date with the latest research and developments within the field of counselling and psychotherapy, and within my areas of special interest, in order to enhance my practice and expand my knowledge.
I previously worked for TFL as a specialist trauma therapist within their occupational health department, and in addition to my clinical work there, I wrote and delivered presentations to staff and management on specialist topics, for example menopause in the workplace and stress and resilience. I have also successfully taught CPCAB Level 2 Counselling Skills within an adult further education environment which, whilst sometimes challenging, was both exhilarating and rewarding.
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
I have a particular interest in the following areas:
- Autism - Autistic adults and young adults in a neurotypical world
- ADHD in adulthood
- Partners of neurodivergent adults
- Parents, guardians and caregivers of neurodivergent children
- Parents, guardians and caregivers of children with mental health challenges;
- Death Anxiety / Existential Dread
- Midlife crisis
- Empty nest anxiety - coping with change when children leave home;
- Menopause and peri-menopause
- Boarding School and Faith School issues
- Pet bereavement and adjusting to life without your pet;
Therapies offered
Fees
£65.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
Working hours:
I offer a free, initial 20 minute telephone consultation to try to gauge whether we might be able to work together.
Face to Face - Monday to Friday daytime. Monday to Thursday evenings. Saturday mornings only.
Zoom - Monday to Friday daytime. Monday to Thursday evenings. Saturday mornings only.
Telephone - Monday to Friday daytime. Monday to Thursday evenings. Saturday mornings only.
Please note, Friday afternoons after 1pm are not available
Fees.
Initial 20-30 minute telephone consultation - FREE
Monday to Friday:
- 9am - 9pm £65
Home visits: Following a telephone assessment,
Daytime visits to elderly/housebound/disabled only (which includes my travel within the London Boroughs of Merton/Sutton).: £70 per 50 minute session
- Fees are payable strictly in advance by bank transfer 24 hours before each session, or by cash at commencement of each session (cash receipts provided for you to reclaim from insurance providers)
- Students: I offer a very limited number of lower-cost appointments to unwaged or no-income counselling students/trainees at £45 per session. I CURRENTLY HAVE ONLY 2 SPACES LEFT AVAILABLE FOR SEPTEMBER 2023.
- Qualified and practicing Counsellors and Psychotherapists on a low or reduced income, please enquire about reduced fees.
- Please note: Terms and conditions apply, particularly to missed sessions, cancellations and holidays, and information on this is provided as part of our initial introduction.
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Corporate Workplace Presentations (Bespoke or Pre-designed) - from £300
Small Experiential Groups (up to 8 members) £25 per member per 50 min session
I welcome referrals from employers, EAP's and from GP/IAPT services at the flat rate of £65 per session.
When I work
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Initial communication is via email.
My initial telephone call to you will be from a withheld number at an agreed time.
The latest in-person session from my home practice is at 9pm.
Further information
Please note, I will not reply to enquiries made via WhatsApp.
I offer corporate talks on workplace issues such as Menopause in the Workplace; Managing Stress and Building Resilience; Mindfulness; tailor made presentations on mental health topics of your choice.
I am a member of a group practice of psychotherapeutic counsellors called Counselling Wimbledon and I also have a home practice in Morden, Surrey. I offer home visits under certain circumstances following an assessment.
I am a member of the BACP (Registered) (registration number 688840) and respect and abide by the codes of ethical practice of both the BACP and UKCP.
Please note: my Morden clinic is run from my non-smoking home and, although no pets will be in the therapy room, it may not be suitable for clients with an allergy to cats.