Dr Elizabeth Baldwin

Hi,

I'm a counsellor and psychotherapist working on the outskirts of Derby. I have almost two decades of experience in many different settings including health, education, the voluntary sector and in private practice. Nowadays I see people of all ages and backgrounds.

Over my career I've worked with a wide variety of difficulties, including anxiety, depression, relationship problems, work and family issues, trauma, abuse and various types of mental health difficulties.

I offer integrative therapy, which means that I try to adapt my sessions to suit each person's particular personality and needs rather than following one single theory about what causes mental health problems and how to deal with them.

Earlier in my professional life I was a psychologist.  I have BSc and PhD degrees in psychology from the University of London and was involved for many years in teaching and clinical research. I still find this background knowledge and experience invaluable in my counselling practice today. I believe that therapy is most effective when there is a genuine collaboration between therapist and client in order to achieve the client's goals and I try to create an atmosphere of warmth, respect and genuiness while always maintaining professional boundaries and confidentiality.   

At a first counselling session I generally think it is helpful to discuss and agree on a course of action, and some broad goals to work on together.  After this we review progress regularly throughout our work, no matter how long or short that is.  People are often unsure what, exactly, they need when they first contact a counsellor, so at the first session we talk things over and agree what areas it seems important to concentrate on first.  However, sometimes clients just need to talk things over with someone totally separate from their normal lives.  If this is the case for you, or if you're not sure,  you're very welcome to contact me for a single session and then to continue with counselling or not, depending on how you feel.

Where I work
I am based near Derby in DE21. This is about two miles north east of Derby city centre, near the Allestree, Breadsall and Little Eaton Arras.
 
More about me
During my early career I did research with adults suffering from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
As a teacher I worked, at different times, with students of all ages, from school pupils through to sixth form and college/university students, often part-time while I was bringing up a family.
Recently I've been doing voluntary work work in the community .with ex-offenders and also as a visitor and befriender for people living in secure psychiatric accommodation. 
I believe and hope that this variety of life experience, together with my very broad experience as a therapist, has enabled me become a flexible and open-minded person. I try to treat everyone, regardless of their difficulties, with professionalism and respect.