Donna West
About me
Welcome to my profile page.
Having undergone therapy myself I appreciate the importance of finding a counsellor whom is able to facilitate a safe, warm and confidential environment to support the exploration of your story.
I have worked with an array of clients whom have accessed counselling for varying reasons that they feel are inhibiting them from living an authentic life. My role within the therapeutic relationship is to work alongside an individual to facilitate self-exploration and consider alternative routes that may lay before them.
I offer individual, group, relationship and family counselling. Please follow the link to my website for further information about these services in more detail.
I have extensive knowledge of addiction in all of its forms and have worked with both those in the depths of their addiction as well as those whom are in recovery and have also supported friends and family members too. I have a working knowledge of both NA and AA 12 step traditions as well as CBT, DBT and SMART which are broadly used in the recovery field.
Factors such as underlying mental health conditions, pain management for physical conditions and coping with emotional difficulties are contributing factors for substance misuse to commence, whether that be prescription or illicit. Often gaining an insight into the root course of addictive behaviour facilitates an individual to regain a sense of control.
Quite often a mental illness will become apparent whilst entering recovery with those whom have self regulated using substances from a young age. Experiencing anxiety, depression,OCD and PTSD symptoms are common and areas of which I am experienced in.
I am an Integratively trained counsellor which means i draw upon relevant theory and techniques to tailor to each individual. I believe that everyone is unique and support individuals to understand how they fit in the world around them and explore ways of doing so in away that suits them.
I am accredited by the BACP ( british association of counselling and psychotherapy) which I adhere to to ensure I'm working safely and ethically.
I offer sessions currently via zoom, telephone, instant messaging,email and letter exchange. I'm not returning to face to face sessions until Jan/Feb 22 which will be in Bedford which is close to the town centre having completed an EMDR course.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications and training
Currently studying EMDR therapy due to end January 2022
Senior professional membership of ACTO
ACTO Approved Diploma in Online Counselling Supervsion
ACTO Approved Certificate in online and telephone counselling
Cpcab level 6 certificate in therapeutic supervision
CPCAB level 5 diploma in psychotherapeutic counselling
CPCAB level 4 in therapeutic counselling
BACP Accreditation
CPCAB standardisation training certificate 2018
Education and training level 3 (city and guilds)
Level 3 certificate substance misuse for practitioners
Safeguarding level 3
Experience
Working within a mental health unit specialising in forensic and hard to place individuals with an array of mental health conditions and maladaptive coping strategies.
Supervising staff within organisations such as MIND, Colleges and Universities
Currently lecturing within a counselling CPCAB Centre and Colleges within Northamptonshire and Hertfordshire.
Providing CPD relating to experience of substance misuse, dual diagnosis (mental illness and substance misuse) and attachment.
Counselling within an NHS substance misuse agency including both pre and post residential rehabilitation. Those subject to care orders and probation conditions. As well as those whom have experienced sexual abuse, PTSD, domestic violence, co- dependency and bereavement and loss.
Facilitating relapse prevention groups using CBT and 12 step approaches.
Facilitating support groups for families and friends of substance misusers.
Counselling at a Rape crises centre working with survivors of child sexual abuse, rape, incest and female genital mutilation.
Member organisations
Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
BACP is one of the UK’s largest professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy. Therapists registered with the Association fall into a number of different membership categories such as Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP and Registered Member MBACP (Accred), each standing for different levels of training and experience. MBACP (Accred) and MBACP (Snr Accred) members have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by the Association.
Registered members can be found on the BACP Register, which was the first register to achieve Accredited Voluntary Register status issued by the Professional Standards Authority. Individual Members will have completed an appropriate counselling and/or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but will not appear on the BACP Register until they've progressed to Registered Member MBACP status.
All members are bound by a Code of Ethics & Practice and a Complaints Procedure. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Accredited register membership
Accredited Register Scheme
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
Dual diagnosis ( substance misuse and mental illness)
Attachment disorders
Sexual abuse
Students currently studying a counselling qualification.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
Free initial telephone or online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Concessions apply please enquire
Free 20 minute telephone consultation
Discounts for block booking ( 6 for the price of 5 sessions)
Individuals: 50.00
Adolescents 13-18: 35.00
Couples: 60.00
Families: 75.00
Additional rate for agencies please enquire
Discounts for Student counsellors 35.00 for counselling sessions which includes completing paperwork relevent for their course. I am a CPCAB tutor and have also undertook their courses my self therefore I have a good understanding of some of the challenges Counselling students may have.
Availability
Available Monday - Friday 10 am - 9pm Saturday 10 am - 2pm
Further information
Guided meditation and mindfulness can also be facilitated.
Handouts to support understanding of self and suppport change are issued as appropriate.
