Heidi Brown

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MBACP. Dip Couns
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

location_on Manchester, Greater Manchester, M2 7EP
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

In exploring counselling as an option, you’ve taken the first step in the process of taking control of your life again. Sometimes an issue in your life can feel so overwhelming that you don't know where to begin. At other times, a problem has been suppressed for so long that you are unaware of what caused the problem in the first place but you are left with symptoms of the problem; for example anxiety or depression. I believe I can help with either of these types of issues.

My Approach

I am a Person Centred Counsellor who works relationaly. I enjoy empowering people to make the best decisions for themselves. I love to see people grow and develop. I am a humanist – which means I believe in people. I bring to my counselling role a wealth of experience gained in a variety of supportive settings. I believe that everyone has the potential to work out what’s best for them, but that they need the right conditions for that to happen, this is where I come in.

What I love most about the counselling is that it can deal with the root cause of the issue rather than the symptom on its own. Progress can therefore be applied to a wide range of areas in your life. Growth is long lasting and often helps in areas of your life that you did not expect. 

I integrate using creativity in my work if you feel open to that. Often there are times when words don't seem enough to process something so expressing through mark making or imagery can take the work deeper. 

About me

I was diagnosed with Dyslexia as an adult. I didn't anticipate how validating it felt for my challenges to be seen and given a name. I also felt a sense of loss about the support and understanding I could have received throughout my education had I known. It has been a journey for me to come to terms with it. 

I come from a neurodiverse family, some of us are diagnosed and some are still on a journey of self understanding.

Training, qualifications & experience

My Experience

Working in a school for autistic learners has taught me much about the need to have a flexible approach with people. In that environment, it was important to allow students to take control of the pace of their learning. That experience has influenced my approach to therapeutic counselling. 

I have gained face-to-face counselling experience working with a major charitable organisation, which supports people in Manchester who are vulnerable. I have been fortunate enough to be able to have a lasting impact upon people experiencing mental health difficulties, aided people in their journey to recovery from periods of substance misuse, and made a real difference to people who have been adapting to times of practical difficulty and change.

I have many years of experience working to support individuals from disadvantaged families in the Manchester area. I have mentored, motivated and guided my clients, using the principles of guided discovery, to better their life situations and improve the sustainability of their communities.

Working as an Employment Advisor I have gained a greater understanding of the cause and effect of work related stress.

My Qualifications

  • Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
  • Person Centred Expressive Arts
  • BA (Hons) Visual Arts

My Training

  • Counselling clients on the Autistic Spectrum
  • Aspire Autism Training
  • Trans Awareness
  • Relational Depth

Contact me

You can contact me on info@heidibrowncounselling.com to arrange a free phone consultation. This gives us a chance to talk to each other and give you a feel for how I work, before you decide on booking a session.

Member organisations

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

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

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Accredited Register Scheme

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.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Areas of counselling I deal with

Other areas of counselling I deal with

I have an interest in working with people who are mixed heritage/race.

Therapies offered

Fees

£60.00 - £65.00
Free initial telephone session

Concessions offered for

  • check_circle Low income
  • check_circle Students
  • check_circle Trainee counsellors
  • check_circle Unemployed

Additional information

I offer a free 30 minute telephone consultation prior to counselling. This gives us the opportunity to learn more about each other and help you decide whether to enter into a counselling relationship together.

Following this, session prices are as listed below, and all sessions are 50 minutes.

  • Phone or video - £55
  • Face to face - £60

Please inquire about concessions if you are a student, on benefits or unemployed.

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

I offer face to face sessions on Fridays and have current availability.

I offer online and telephone sessions on Monday to Thursdays and have current availability. 

Further information

I am a registered member of the BACP and I am fully insured to practice. I have regular supervision to ensure my work is effective. I work in a welcoming and relaxed therapy room in Manchester City Centre.

I specialise in Work Related Stress and with people on the Autistic Spectrum.

Work Related Stress

While work related stress and mental health issues can exist independently of one another, stress can cause common mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. Some elements of stressful feelings are a natural response to characteristics of the modern workplace such as targets and deadlines. Without effective management of stress, it poses a risk to your physical health through symptoms such as high blood pressure, loss of appetite and fatigue.

Autistic Spectrum

I integrate the neurodiversity paradigm into my work which means I do not view autism as a problem to be “cured”. I believe that neurodivergence is a valuable part of human diversity and should be accepted, nurtured and catered for.

I help neurodivergent people to be themselves, and to feel good about who they are. I don’t encourage autistic people to act neurotypical as this is not healthy for their self-esteem. We live in a society which is largely not accepting of neurodivergent people which often results in low self-esteem. Counselling can help to rebuild this.

I also counsel parents and carers of autistic children. I can help you with the pressures you face in wanting the best for your autistic child or children– which I understand can be overwhelming at times.

More details can be found on my website.

Royal Exchange, St Ann's Square, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M2 7EP

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Types of client

Young people (13-17)
Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)

Online platforms

VSee
Zoom

Social