Fiona Mercer
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
The relationship between a client and their counsellor is a key factor in establishing effective counselling. So if you're feeling confused, unsure of where to turn, or it's your first time looking for a counsellor; take your time to find the right fit - explore the options available and ask questions. After reading more about how I practice I hope you'll feel able to contact me for an informal chat or to book a free assessment - I'd really like to hear from you.
I've been described by clients and colleagues as a genuine, warm and gentle person. I believe such characteristics, combined with my skills and knowledge help me to establish a safe, trusting and respectful counselling environment where I focus on your specific therapeutic needs at a pace that suits you.
Such therapy involves deepening self awareness and allowing you time to process, understand and develop ways to cope with the psychological issues or difficult life experiences you may bring. (I have extensive experience working with a wide range of such issues on a short and long term basis as indicated below.)
With greater self-awareness comes fresh perspectives that can help to empower us to make choices and bring about the changes we want to see in our lives. To that end, I endeavour to work in a flexible way, alongside you by adapting my approach to your therapeutic needs.
This means as a experiential person-centred therapist I work in a holistic way drawing upon a number of approaches such as psychodynamic, CBT and mindfulness to develop self-awareness, broaden personal perspective and foster healthy internal dialogues. Ultimately, I believe connection with our inner power helps us reach our true potential.
Training, qualifications & experience
Experience:
I have 15 years experience in counselling and supporting adults and young people with a wide range of mental health issues.
I'm currently employed as a student and staff counsellor within Nottingham University Counselling Service which I joined in 2019. Previously I worked as specialist therapist at Harmless CIC working with young people and adults with issues around self--harm and suicide. Prior to that I was a young person’s counsellor at Relate Derby providing one to one therapy and group work to 12 - 18 year olds 1 day per week.
This role has also involved offering therapeutic advice to family support workers within local MAT teams and facilitating mental health workshops supporting adults from the following charity organisations: Fibro Active Long Eaton, National Autistic Society, Autistic Resource Centre and Sure Start.
Prior to becoming a fully qualified psychotherapist this I worked as a volunteer counsellor at Childline, Nottingham Women’s Centre and Base 51. Over the years I have gained much experience of supporting women and young people affected by the emotional and physical trauma of domestic abuse and family breakdown.
Private Practice:
In private practice I work with adults and young people (age 12 +) on a short, medium and long term basis.
As an accredited member of the UKCP and registered member of the BACP I adhere to their codes of ethics. Copies of these are available upon request. I also attend regular supervision with a fully qualified supervisor who supports me in the therapeutic work I would provide to you.
Our initial meeting is a chance for us to get to know each other and find out if working together is possible. We would also discuss your therapeutic goals, the number of sessions that feels right for you and check over the counselling agreement. A copy of the agreement can be forwarded to you in advance. It's purpose is to protect both client and counsellor and basically outlines limits of confidentiality and my payment and cancellation policy.
Whilst I work with people experiencing a vast range of mental heath issues I have recently been more working frequently with the following:
- Self harm / suicidal idealisation
- Autistic Spectrum / ADHD / Dyslexia
- Bereavement
- Eating issues / body image
- Sexuality / gender identification
- Bullying
- Anxiety / depression
- Trauma / abuse (emotional, physical, sexual)
- Relationship issues
- Anger
- Loneliness
Qualifications:
MSc in Person-Centred & Experiential Psychotherapy (The Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute)
Fully accredited, Registered member of UKCP (United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy)
Registered Member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy)
CPD / Additional Training:
- Trauma / PTSD - Putting on the Breaks: Babette Rothschild
- Generalised Anxiety & Panic Disorder (7 Recovery Steps): Wade Oladipo
- Relate CPD Training - Suicide Risk & Support, Domestic Violence, Eating Disorder, Safeguarding
- The Autism Spectrum - Colin Troy
Member organisations
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.
The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.
As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.
UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
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
Therapies offered
Fees
£50.00 - £55.00
Free initial in-person, telephone or online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
30 mins initial assessment - free
£55 per hour counselling session / £50 for Students and Concessions
Working Days: currently Monday afternoon, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, Friday
Telephone: 07719 006240
When I work
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Please feel free to email to discuss availability as I may have some flexibility
Further information
Before training to become a psychotherapist I was self-employed as a photographer for 10 years. Documenting images for charities brought me increasingly into contact with those who through life events, or in being disadvantaged are simply left hanging on or struggling to cope. Bearing witness to the pain of injustice and loss of hope around unmet emotional needs and the stigma of mental illness strongly influenced my decision in becoming a psychotherapist.
