Gwen Swords
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Hi there, my name is Gwen, and thank you for taking time to read my profile.
The jargon first... In counselling terms, I am an integrative counsellor with a person centred foundation. This means I will work very closely with you to help you share your story, find new perspectives and make changes if this is what you decide. The quality of the relationship we build will be key to the success of the counselling and this will be a key focus. We will measure and review progress as we work together to ensure you are getting the most out of it.
Who I work with.
I have much experience supporting adults and young people (aged 14+). I am happy to work with people of faith and those with none.
I also work with families experiencing conflict. I use a restorative approach for this, which fundamentally means that I explore the issues with you without anyone apportioning blame and by encouraging family members to share impact and emotions and to work together to find solutions for a better future.
How I work.
I can offer you a warm and understanding relationship. I will work with you, at your own pace, with anything you choose to bring. From this, my experience has been that anyone, whether a young person, adult, or family group can find solutions to their problems, allowing them to grow and flourish, achieving a more hopeful and exciting future and enjoying life more fully.
Coming to counselling is a big step and a brave one and one which definitely has potential to turn things around for you, especially when you feel stuck or feel you’re swimming against the tide.
Do feel free to get in touch if you’d like to know more or have any questions. I’m happy to have a short initial conversation free of charge. Text me or email and I will get back to you and we can arrange a convenient time to talk.
Training, qualifications & experience
Association of Christian Counsellors: Registered and Accredited Counsellor (Advanced Diploma in Counselling)
Restorative Justice Council: Registered Accredited Practitioner (Training completed with The International Institute for Restorative Practice. Attainment level: Distinction)
Short courses on:
- The Pottergate Centre: Introduction to Dissociative Disorders,
- NHS: The bite-sized better sleep online workshop
- Brenda Hopkins: Eating disorder workshop
- Lindy French: Working with shame
- Kyra Hall-Gelly: Working with neurodiversity
- eARTh: Sand tray in the counselling setting
- Windy Drydon: Single session therapy
- Training on equality, diversion and inclusion
- SynRJ: Family Group meeting 'conferencing' training
- Conflict And Resolution Management: Restorative Approaches in Educational Settings
- Coaching 4 Development: Completed programme on Coaching for Development
I qualified as a counsellor in 2008 and worked for a large local high school as their school counsellor, working with students and staff, whilst also working in private practice primarily with adults. I have also worked for the Youth Justice Service, mediating between victims and offenders. I now work in private practice with adults primarily, and for an organisation counselling young people.
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
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 Association of Christians in Counselling and Linked Professions (ACC) is a Christian professional membership organisation for those involved in counselling/psychotherapy and linked professions, i.e. pastoral care, coaching and spiritual direction, in the UK. The organisation is made up of various different membership categories, including Counsellor and Accredited, and requires all members working as counsellors to undertake Continuous Professional Development on a regular basis.
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
Working with families.
I also work with families experiencing conflict. I use a restorative approach for this, which fundamentally means that I explore the issues with you without anyone apportioning blame and by encouraging family members to share impact and emotions and work together to find solutions for a better future.
Please be in touch if you'd like more details.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£50.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Consessions.
Concessions for trainee counsellors: please ask for details
Concessions for block bookings in groups of 6, paid for in advance: please ask for details.
When I work
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Further information
I also work with families experiencing conflict. I use a restorative approach for this, which fundamentally means that I explore the issues with you without anyone apportioning blame and by encouraging family members to share impact and emotions and work together to find solutions for a better future.
