About me
Hi, I am Erica. There are many reasons why difficulties start to happen in our lives. For example: bereavement, work stresses, family breakdowns, relationships, domestic abuse and just day to day life, amongst others. These all can become challenging and overwhelming, causing anxiety, depression, panic attacks, mood swings and many more. There is hope with help things can shift.
Perhaps you are feeling overwhelmed, emotionally challenged, exhausted from holding it all together. You are certainly not alone. Maybe you are struggling with anxiety when your mind is flooded with continual thoughts that you cannot control or depression and feeling low with a dark cloud hovering over you all the time. Feeling sad with no purpose to life, can leave you feeling exhausted and not knowing what is happening to you with an inability to move forward. However, you can move forward it isn’t about pretending everything is fine. With the right support its about believing that things can be different.
A lot of my work has involved trauma caused by abuse, family or work issues; perhaps you are unaware that you have had trauma in your life, but struggling and don’t know why. We can work together to take those first steps; I am here to actively listen to you and to help untangle what’s going on with you in a safe environment.
I am a compassionate and friendly, professionally trained counsellor working from warm comfortable rooms in Royston and working online. My role is to provide guidance to help you on your journey of self-discovery to enable and empower you to examine your life and make new, meaningful choices within it. I am an integrative counsellor meaning I use several different forms of counselling tailored to each person’s needs, including cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic therapy.
I have a passion for my role and a personal connection to the work I do. In the past I have benefitted from counselling myself and this has been influential in my journey to becoming a counsellor, giving me an insight into how it feels to be on the receiving side. Counselling can feel challenging, but with the right guidance and care, it can be a powerful and rewarding experience. As a therapist I am empathetic and non-judgemental, aiming to provide emotional support in a way that suits your needs. It is Important to me that the counselling I offer is helpful and effective giving you a chance to reflect on the difficulties or problems you are experiencing.
Together we can explore your situation in a way that leads to fresh perspectives and perhaps a new understanding of yourself. Counselling isn't about giving you solutions or advice, rather empowering you to make your own changes.
I work with clients individually or couples face-to-face from my rooms in Royston or online. I offer both short term and long-term counselling sessions depending on your needs.
My experience includes working with a mental health charity, supervising and working on their support line. Helping callers who are struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, bereavement, trauma and suicidal ideation and many more.
Over the past 12 years I have worked in pastoral care, supporting and guiding people through life’s challenges as a listening ear. During this time, I have gained experience working with those who have been bereaved and to better understand the challenges faced in diverse cultures.
I am experienced in working with young families, particularly mothers of young children who have found themselves in need of additional support. From those struggling with the hardest job of all, to the most rewarding job of bringing up a family. I also have experience in working with parent/s whose children have died during pregnancy or at an early age.
I have experience in working with couples and individuals in relationship counselling. Sometimes we forget how to communicate with each other and by having support this can help you to understand your needs and how to engage with each other.
If you are thinking about starting your own counselling journey, and are feeling nervous, you don’t need to have the right words. You just need to be ready to take the first step.
Training, qualifications & experience
- L4 Diploma in Counselling.
- L3 Certificate in Counselling.
- Counselling Online and Telephone BACP recognised certificate.
- Group facilitating certificate.
- Licensed to work with bereavement. Further CPD in bereavement.
- Experience supervising and working on a mental health support line.
- Experience in leading in group setting and individually with families.
- Experience in relationship counselling.
- Training in trauma.
- Sessional counsellor for a counselling and training organisation.
- Member of Creative Counsellors.
- Experience working with different cultures, diversity and discrimination.
- Leadership safeguarding certificate.
- I hold an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
- I am fully insured and registered member of the ACC.
Member organisations
The Association of Christians in Counselling and Linked Professions (ACC) is a Christian professional membership organisation for those involved in counselling/psychotherapy and linked professions, i.e. pastoral care, coaching and spiritual direction, in the UK. The organisation is made up of various different membership categories, including Counsellor and Accredited, and requires all members working as counsellors to undertake Continuous Professional Development on a regular basis.
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
Photos & videos
Fees
£55.00 per session
Additional information
We offer a complimentary 30-minute consultation via zoom or telephone. This give us both the opportunity to connect and ensure we are a good fit to work together effectively.
Couples counselling fee £65.00
When I work
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My hours are flexible to the clients needs, please contact me if you need support outside the above hours stated.
Further information
Sessions last 50 minutes, usually taking place on a weekly basis although this can be discussed, and cost £55 per session. I can offer face to face in confidential therapeutic rooms within Royston town, online (zoom) or telephone counselling.
Please contact me to enquire about availability. I offer a free 30 minute online or telephone session to introduce myself and explore if I am the right counsellor for you. Please email me to enquire further.
I am fully insured and am a Registered Member of ACC and adhere to their Ethical Framework to ensure that I work to a professional standard.
