Heather Cowie
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
I hear from clients so many times, that they feel like they have been carrying a problem around for a long time and they are finally exhausted by it. They hoped that by ignoring the problem it would go away. Or they felt that they ought to be able to cope with carrying it around. All that has done is cause them stress, anxiety, depression, self-worth or relationship difficulties. Now they've realised they need to stop, rest, put the problem down and unpack it.
If that sounds like you then I'm here to tell you that it's ok. You have already taken the first steps in realising you need to deal with your problem and are looking for solutions. The next step is to reach out, let me share the load and help you unpack it. I can offer you a warm, friendly space to carefully explore what's in your bag. Together we can then work out how you want to deal with it.
You might be carrying a relationship problem, a loss, feelings of anger, shame, a lack of self-confidence or identity issues. Or maybe you're not even sure what it is, but you just know you don't want to live this way anymore.
It's never too late to make positive changes in your life. As both a teacher and counsellor, I have supported adults and young people with many of life's issues. You can bring anything to me no matter how big or small.
I help people feel more relaxed, confident, and overcome the legacy of past experiences. I work a lot helping people find empowerment in their lives. To learn to be their wonderful, authentic selves and break away from limiting self beliefs, often caused by adverse life experiences or social conditioning.
I work online throughout the UK and face to face in Tavistock and Plymouth.
Am I the right counsellor for you?
It’s important for you to find a person that you feel comfortable and safe with. This will be different for everyone.
My various life experiences have taught me that everyone suffers and that everyone’s suffering is different but equally valid. And the antidote to suffering is compassion. So, I believe that being heard, understood and offered kindness in times of suffering can make an incredible difference. Especially if we are finding it hard to give ourselves that compassion.
I work in a friendly and positive way. My approach is to treat you as an individual human being with your own unique story. You can bring anything to me no matter how painful or shameful it may feel and I will listen to try to understand how it feels to be you.
I hope to be a calm, caring and courageous person; someone who is not afraid to witness your pain and sit in it with you, whilst carrying hope for brighter days. I will help you gently explore your feelings and beliefs and go deeper into what might be at the root of your distress. I will help you step back and see things from another perspective. I will encourage you to find your glimmers and sparkles that will lead to your own solutions.
How I work
I use a blend of different therapy types, depending on your need and preferences. Ask me about these when you contact me if you have a particular interest. The heart of what I do will always be to put you in the driving seat and help you explore what you wish, in the way you feel most comfortable.
Next steps
If that sounds like it could be a good fit for you, then do please get in touch, by email, phone or text - whatever works for you.
Once you contact me, I will get back to you to within 24 hours. We can then book in your first session, or if you prefer, I offer a FREE 15 minute phone/online introductory call so you can decide if I'm the right counsellor for you.
Contact me now to arrange your first session or FREE intro call.
Training, qualifications & experience
- BACP Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling (Iron Mill Exeter).
- Online and Telephone Counselling Certificate.
- Qualified secondary school teacher (PGCE).
- MA Hons French & Business (University of Edinburgh.)
I have counselled within an NHS service in GPs surgeries, with the young person's charity Young Devon, as well as my own private practice.
Through this work, I have gained experience of various issues including; anxiety, low mood / depression, anger, bereavement, self-confidence, trauma, abuse, adverse childhood experiences, eating issues, OCD, loss, and relationship issues.
I have completed training for specific areas such as trauma, suicide and self harm, and bereavement.
Prior to working as a counsellor I have also worked as a secondary school teacher, run my own Children's Nursery business, worked in marketing and publishing and also presented on the shopping channel QVC.
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
Photos & videos
Fees
£50.00 per session
Free initial telephone or online session
Additional information
I offer a free 15min initial phone or online consultation so we can discuss what you are looking for and see if we are a good match. Contact me to arrange.
I do offer some concessions - enquire for more information.
When I work
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Further information
I offer face to face sessions from both Tavistock and Plymouth. The rooms I use are in newly renovated Wellbeing Centres, specifically designed to create a calm, safe space for counselling.
