Fiona Penfold

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BSC (hons) MBACP Relationship Counsellor
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

Ringwood, Hampshire, BH24
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

Finding the right counsellor is an important first step.

I am a relationship Counsellor using Sound Healing.

My background is training as an Integrative Counsellor incorporating the principles of Gestalt, Transactional Analysis and Psychodynamic theories.

In 2023 I retired from a decade of working with children, teenagers and parents as a Creative Arts Counsellor and Environmental Art Therapist in private practise. 

I currently work using a structured assessment process inspired by training and working with  Relate and combine it with my passion for Sound Healing.

I offer a service that I would want for myself if I needed support from a therapist.

I have been working as a Sound Therapist in the local community for the past 6 years and I am a member of the College of Sound Healing.

First and foremost I endeavour to facilitate a safe supportive environment, a space where clients feel free to be themselves.

I work from 2 secluded  studios in the New Forest, not far from Ringwood.

What is relationship counselling using sound therapy trying to achieve?

Together I will first help you to identify and clarify the issue or problems you are facing in your relationship. If relationship counselling is the best way forward, you will embark on a series of sessions. Anything between 6 and 12 sessions is usual.

Counselling is not a magic solution and it will require commitment and engagement. Some people will find the experience will strengthen their relationship. Others will realise separating and moving on independently is the best option. If you decide to separate I can help you manage that process as painlessly as possible.

Another thing to keep in mind is that just because you start your counselling journey with me, that doesn't mean I will necessarily be the right fit. To check that I am the right fit I ask all clients to undertake an initial assessment.

Domestic abuse in its various forms is a factor in many relationships and the impact of this type of unacceptable behaviour to victims, including children is a huge concern.

In some abusive cases after careful assessment I am able to offer counselling to couples where there is a clear motivation to change and accept responsibility for any past behaviours and where both clients want to stay together. In other cases where abusive behaviour has become entrenched or constitutes a risk it is most likely that a specialist organisation would be more appropriate than counselling.

Some people come seeking relationship counselling and during the initial assessment realise that sex therapy might be more helpful, for instance.

It doesn't matter if you're married, living together, LGBTQ, non monogamous or anything in between. My purpose is to help strengthen your relationship.

How do I see my role?

To provide a caring, supportive and non-judgmental environment to help you find a way through any difficulties you may be facing in your relationship.

What is Sound Therapy and how can it help?

Sound therapy has been utilised in various cultures for thousands of years as a tool for healing to move from a place from imbalance to balance. The sound vibrations have a profound influence on brain state, cells, organs, tissues as well as the circulatory metabolic and endocrine system.

Sound therapy uses gongs, bowls and other vibrational instruments to promote peace and relaxation. As you surrender to the vibration of sound, you tap into a deeper state of relaxation.

Listening to vibrational sound produces a meditative experience and activates the parasympathetic nervous system (the rest and digest state). It can be useful in releasing anger, low mood, fatigue and energetic blockages. Studies have also indicated having an effect on regulating blood pressure, helping sleep and hormones and the body's stress response.

Sessions assist with creating new neural pathways to build stronger relationships and leave you and your partner with more positive feelings.

Sound therapy enhances your mind, body and spiritual well being, whatever your religion or belief system.

What happens in a session?

Each session will begin with talking. In the beginning sessions this will be the assessment process which will take place over three sessions. In the first session you will attend as a couple. The following sessions will be individual sessions. The fourth and subsequent sessions will be with you as a couple.

In the second part of each session there will be an opportunity to have sound therapy after setting an intention together for the following week. This involves laying down on a comfortable mattress in the Sound Therapy Room.

In the session, a symphony of relaxing and restorative sound will help clear old energies and emotions from the past, making way for a clearer mind for communication, stronger bonds, positive intentions for the future or clarity on your situation with a frequency of love.

There is a strong possibility that after the Sound Therapy experience you will leave feeling an enhanced closeness after sharing this experience together.

The therapy I offer is intended to be short-term and my intention is for you to shift things in your relationship as quickly as possible. It is possible to return to me for one off sessions in the future if needed.

Please do contact me for further information or to arrange a time to meet.

I am a registered member of BACP and I am bound by their code of ethics.

Training, qualifications & experience

BSC (hons) Applied Psychology
Post Graduate Diploma in the use of arts in therapy and education (IATE)
Child Couselling Diploma (IATE)
Certificate in Parent and Child Therapy (IATE)
Post Graduate Certificate in Environmental Art Therapy (London Art Therapy Centre)

Gong Practitioner (College of Sound Healing)

CPCAB Post Qualifying Certificate in Relational Counselling.

Member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists.

Member of College of Sound Healing.

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

Photos & videos

Fees

£150.00 per session
Free initial telephone session

Additional information

My fees are £150 per 90 minute session.

Further information

Sessions are on a weekly basis and in person.

Hangersley, Ringwood, Hampshire, BH24

Type of session

In person

Types of client

Couples

Key details

Wheelchair user access
Wheelchair user access

Wheelchair-accessible premises should have step-free access for wheelchair users and individuals who are unable to climb stairs. If a Counsellor's premises aren't step-free, they may offer alternative services such as telephone/web-based appointments, home visits, or meeting clients in different location, so you can choose the option that suits you best.

You can contact the Counsellor to discuss the options available.

Under the Equality Act 2010 service providers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that individuals with disabilities can access their service. You can read more about reasonable adjustments to help you to access services on the CAB website.

Fiona Penfold
Fiona Penfold