Dowega Lewin-Mckinley

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Counsellor/Psychotherapist and Clinical Supervisor
Accepting new clients
Accepting new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

location_on South Croydon, CR2
Accepting new clients
Accepting new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

MY JOURNEY TO BECOMING A COUNSELLOR

I have been a BACP registered counsellor and psychotherapist since 2017. However, my journey began many years earlier in a more informal capacity as a social worker, where I worked with both young people and adults. These experiences provided great satisfaction and insight into the complex internal and external challenges we all face.

As I  listened to clients, my passion for accompanying them through their difficult times grew. However, my role as a social worker did not allow the extended time I felt was necessary to help clients effectively. This frustration led me to re-train.

Becoming a counsellor involved a period of self-reflection and experiencing therapy myself. My own transformation through therapy reinforced my belief that change is possible for anyone who desires it. As a result, I am a therapist who firmly believes that you too can achieve positive change.

IS COUNSELLING FOR YOU?

If you're struggling to manage daily challenges, remember that you're not alone. It's important to acknowledge that feeling overwhelmed is a normal experience. Don’t let shame or pride stop you from seeking the help you deserve. Taking this step is a significant decision for your well-being.

HOW I WORK

I am an Integrative Therapist who combines Person Centred and Psychodynamic interventions when working with clients. This means I explore with clients what they are experiencing in the here and now, as well as past experiences. This can be very insightful and life changing when there is a connection to current patterns of relating.

I also use “Gestalt” and “CBT” techniques as well as meditations, positive affirmations and creative exercises. I find that these combined ways of working aid movement in the clients exploration of self, awareness and change. As a therapist, these approaches allow a holistic perspective to be taken, which enables the many layers of an individual to be seen. This too enhances the therapeutic relationship and makes the work valuable and worthwhile.

WHAT I OFFER INDIVIDUALS

  • WHAT YOU BRING TO THE SESSION WILL ALWAYS BE THE FOCUS.
  • I WILL ACKNOWLEDGE AND VALUE YOUR CHALLENGES AND EMPOWER YOU TO EXPERIENCE BREAKTHROUGH.
  • I WILL STAY PRESENT WITH YOU WITHOUT BEING AFRAID TO JOURNEY INTO THE DEPTH OF YOUR CHALLENGES

As a good therapist I believe in your value as a human being and walk with you without judgement toward your desired outcomes. I show genuine interest, empathy and understanding of things from your core perspectives whether it be historical, cultural, religious or social. Working with diversity is of great interest to me and seeing the whole person is what will make you experience and understand your challenges on many levels.

You can expect to be accepted for you, which means you do not need to be anyone other than that. In fact it is your honesty that aids successful work. This way of being develops acceptance of self, as well as builds the ability to trust others. My acceptance of you may at times involve gentle non-judgemental challenging questions, which I must be honest in saying may be unsettling at times. Conversely this may also bring a deeper understanding of self, which will lead to a more self-governing lifestyle.

Training, qualifications & experience

BA (Hons/Diploma in Social Work)

Level 4 Diploma  Certificate  in Therapeutic Counselling

Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies

Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills

Director of Perez Counselling & Psychotherapy Service

EXPERIENCED WITH

  • Bereavement
  • Depression
  • Sadness
  • Loss
  • Anxiety
  • Stress
  • Fear
  • Loneliness
  • Low Self- Esteem
  • lack of confidence
  • Attachment issue
  • Faith issues
  • Cultural issues

Member organisations

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

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

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
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.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Areas of counselling I deal with

Therapies offered

Photos & videos

Fees

£60.00 per session
Free initial telephone session

Concessions offered for

  • check_circle Low income
  • check_circle Keyworkers
  • check_circle OAPs
  • check_circle Students
  • check_circle Trainee counsellors
  • check_circle Unemployed

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

I currently have spaces, and am flexible in my working hours. Monday- Thursday 09:30 -20:20

Further information

I LOOK FORWARD TO JOURNEYING WITH YOU FOR A WHILE.

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone
Home visits

Types of client

Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)
Organisations

Key details

DBS check info

In England and Wales, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, formerly known as CRB) carry out criminal records checks for individuals working with vulnerable groups, such as children. To find out more, visit gov.uk , or contact this professional directly

Online platforms

Zoom