Guy Polkinghorne
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Hello, I am a BACP registered counsellor and psychotherapist with particular experience in helping people with anxiety, depression, low self esteem, addiction and bereavement. I offer short and long term counselling and psychotherapy to adults and young people (12+).
I also provide couples counselling, to help people better understand their partners and themselves, and to resolve problems within their relationship.
I work during weekdays and evenings from my home in the centre of Bath, which provides a safe and confidential place to meet. The rooms are easily accessible by car (there is plenty of parking close by), by bus or on foot from the railway station.
I offer a free initial phone call to give you the chance to tell me in confidence what is troubling you, to ask any questions you might have, and for you to see if I am the right counsellor for you.
When we go on to work together, you will have the time and space to talk about whatever is troubling you, and for you to be really heard and understood. I will try to help you resolve your concerns by enabling you to feel safe, accepted and supported without judgement. We will work together, establishing a relationship which allows you to get to know and understand yourself better.
Your choice of whom you see for counselling or psychotherapy is an important decision. You are going to want to talk about personal issues, perhaps sharing deeply sensitive information, so it is important that the person you choose is someone you can trust and feel comfortable with.
I am hoping that you will choose me, but if you don’t please remember to check that, like me, your counsellor is qualified, belongs to a professional counselling or psychotherapy body, adheres to a code of ethics and is properly insured.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a fully qualified counsellor (BACP, CPCAB) experienced in working with people to help resolve their difficulties, gain insight, and to grow. I have a Diploma in Person Centered Counselling, which enables me to work safely and effectively with the general public.
I am a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and appear on their Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists.
I have been working 1:1 with people in various ways for the last 40 years including outplacement counselling, coaching, and counselling. Apart from my counselling qualification I have a degree in Psychology, an MSc in Human Resource Management, a Post Graduate Diploma in Psychology, and a Diploma in Coaching.
All of my work is supervised monthly on a 1:1 basis by a qualified supervisor, and I am also part of a peer supervision group. My intention is to continually learn, improve and stay safe in my work.
I regularly attend continuing professional development (CPD) events to improve my knowledge and skills. Examples of CPD include 'Childhood issues which impact adult life', 'Working with blocked anger', 'Autism and Aspergers Syndrome', 'Understanding sex addiction', and 'Transactional Analysis'.
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
Therapies offered
Fees
£60.00 per session
Free initial telephone or online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
1:1 Counselling
I charge £60 per counselling or psychotherapy session (50 minutes)
Couples Counselling
I charge £90 per counselling or psychotherapy session (60 minutes) or £130 (90 minutes)
I have a few lower fee places, which are available for those on genuinely low incomes, and those in counselling training.
When I work
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Further information
How do I know who is the right counsellor for me?
When you talk to a counsellor, you should feel you can trust them and that you would be comfortable talking with them about very personal thoughts and feelings. If you don’t feel this is the case, you may want to consider finding someone else who you feel is more suited to you. You may want to meet with more than one counsellor before choosing someone.
How long does counselling take?
Counselling can be just a few sessions but it may continue over several weeks or months. This depends on your individual situation. Your chosen counsellor should discuss this with you before and during your counselling.
For more information please visit my website at the top of the page.
