Frances Kandler-Singer
Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.
This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
What motivates me?
As a survivor of the mental health system, I am driven by curiosity and wonder about the human condition in all its manifestations from great joy to deep sadness; from inspirational creativity to terrifying destruction. Sharing people's journeys is a great privilege as well as a responsibility. My work is regulated, updated & supported by a network of qualified professionals including supervisors, other counsellors & a range of training organisations.
How my approach to therapy can help
I create a safe space in which shared trust and mutual respect lay the foundations for a constructive working relationship. Creating this safety gives rise to the potential for reflecting on your issues in a less threatening way and of refreshing difficult situations with new perspectives & interpretations, returning to daily life with renewed hope and recharged energy.
What do I bring to the table?
My own life journey has been both challenging and inspiring. I have evolved over time and explored different options. I encourage people to find what it is that motivates them and to look at what stops them fulfilling their goals; what is making them unhappy and what is holding them back? I seek to tap into their creative core and to help realise who they are in a holistic sense.
What to expect in your first few sessions:
These are some background questions I explore when I begin looking for therapeutic resolutions:
- What are your triggers and how do you manage them? These can be difficulties that arise and challenge your certainty about life giving rise to anxiety, depression and other negative states?
- How do you process loss and embrace transition? In other words how do you adjust & move on from disruptions or unexpected events, what do you find difficult to let go of, how do you react to change?
- What do you do to nourish your spirit & soul? For instance, how do you integrate Nature into your daily life and replenish depleted resources often manifesting as burn-out, short fuse, anger and emotional tension?
- Who are you at this stage in your life? Where have you come from and where are you going? What are your hopes and aspirations? Counselling can give you the confidence to explore identity, cultural roots, gender and sexuality and to question the assumptions of others or challenge self-limiting views that may hold you back.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am registered with the British Association of Counselling and Therapy (BACP) and fully insured by Balens, underwritten by Zurich Insurance plc; I have a Masters Degree in Psychotherapy and Healing from The Marian Institute accredited by Middlesex University (2004); a distinction in Foundation in Dance, Voice, Movement Therapy awarded by EdExcel at Bristol Dance Voice (2005); I trained in Race Equality and Cultural Capability at Voluntary Action Camden (2011)
I have monthly supervision and regularly update and refresh my professional practice through Continuing Professional Development (CPD); I attend a weekly peer supervision group and a bi-monthly network meeting.
Prior to qualifying as a therapist, I worked as a primary school teacher. As my interest in mental health and well-being increased I worked for several campaigning mental health charities to challenge stigma and increase awareness of discrimination. I helped pioneer emotional intelligence and self-management strategies for stabilising mood swings. I spent several years as a government advisor at the Dept of Health on a health intervention and race equality to involve more service users in the provision and development of mental health services - known as co-production. I also contributed to a groundbreaking peer counselling model addressing bullying in the workplace and in schools, making both environments safer to live and work in.
Member organisations
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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
estrangement
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£45.00 - £95.00
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
I work on a sliding scale calculated by income: £2 per £1K of gross income
When I work
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | |||||||
| Afternoon | |||||||
| Evening | |||||||
| Night |
Further information
A client, who has given full permission for me to use their remarks, recently described my work as follows: 'Frances has been my therapist for 3 years now. She has been the sound, reflection and mirror of my experiences. I have always felt supported. She is there for me and allows me to come to my own realisations. Always focussed and felt she went the extra mile to provide other resources if asked or needed. A professional with astounding knowledge for the human being and experience. I loved the honesty that Frances was able to provide me. I could not have wished for a better professional to support me through my ups and downs. Thank you Frances for your flexibility, honesty, creativity, spirituality and for your empathy.'
Dr B. Abdallah 12 January 2024
