Fiona Prentis MBACP(Accred)

About me

About you

Do you feel that you want or need someone that you can trust to tell just about anything to? Someone who will not judge you if you choose to disclose whatever it is you would like to or need to disclose? Someone who is:

• objective,
• trained,
• qualified,
• and experienced?

Do you need somebody who specialises in the almost lost art of listening? Someone who is able to reflect back to you what they have understood by what you have said and to share what they think and feel about it in a caring and sensitive way, in order to help you?

Do you want somebody who can help you to make sense of what's going on or has gone on for you? Someone who can help you to explore and understand your thoughts, feelings and reactions to whatever ‘it’ is so that you can gain new insight going forward? Someone who can hopefully help you to see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, even if it is dim?

Do you need somebody to help you to explore your options in a given situation; to support you if you're going through a rough patch or to help you to make a decision?

About me

I am a qualified B.A.C.P. Accredited counsellor with over 9 years of experience working extensively with most issues in a number of different settings- privately, in a university, in general practice and for charities.

About how I work

My work draws from the Person-Centred Approach to counselling. This approach was developed from the work of psychologist Carl Rogers (1902-1987). It was originally described as non-directive as it moved away from the idea that the counsellor is an expert and towards a theory that trusts the innate tendency it believes that we all have towards fulfilling our own individual and unique potential, whatever that potential might be.

I, and the Person-Centred Approach to counselling, both believe that whilst this innate tendency that we all have towards fulfilling our own personal potential can be interrupted by life's circumstances and events it can be nurtured and re-activated in a certain psychological environment. This nurturing environment can be achieved by being in a relationship with a person who is:

• deeply understanding (empathic),
• accepting (having unconditional positive regard) and
• genuine (congruent).

I am able to offer you this relational environment.

It is an environment which is free from both physical and psychological threat and harm. My training; ongoing supervision; experience and my own personal and professional development enable me to do this.

I use the Person-Centred Approach to counselling in my work because my experience and research have both shown that regardless of the model of counselling that a counsellor uses the quality of the relationship between the client and the counsellor is a good predictor of a good outcome. I integrate my knowledge of other theories of counselling and psychology when I think that they would help you to understand your situation more.

To book your free initial session or to find out more

Call or text me on 07925 788503 if you would like to book your free, no-obligation, initial session or to find out more. Alternatively, you could contact me via e-mail by clicking the 'E-mail me' tab.

Your free session is designed to help you to decide whether you think that we could work well together going forward. Remember, the client-counsellor relationship is one of the most important things to get right when you are choosing a counsellor.

I will send you a confirmation e-mail if you decide to book a free session. This will include full details of where I am based in Chester-Le-Street, near the Market Place, and directions to it.