Helen Baker MBACP (Accred) Counsellor, Supervisor and Trainer, B.Ed (Hons)
About me
Welcome to my profile. I hope that what you read below will encourage you to contact me to answer any questions you may have or to make a first appointment.
I am an experienced counsellor and Accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. I am also a qualified supervisor and trained in relationship counselling. I offer individuals of all ages short and long term work on issues that impact on their life including anxiety, depression and relationship issues. My practise is based in Sidmouth, East Devon
It is usual to feel a certain amount of anxiety when seeking help and it may be difficult for you to make that first telephone call or send the first email. Please be reassured that I will do all that I can to put you at your ease and I will be happy to explain how I work.
I believe in creating a warm and safe environment from which you can explore the difficulties you face, rediscover your strengths and make changes that will improve your life. My aim is to help you to know and to understand yourself, independent from the views of others. This can involve challenging long held beliefs and perceptions and this I do in a supportive and non-judgemental manner.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a qualified and Accredited BACP counsellor, working with adults of all ages and teenagers from the age of 13. Alongside my private practice I work as the Higher Education Counsellor for Exeter College and I lecture in counselling at the college, currently teaching on the Advanced Diploma Course. I am a qualified supervisor and work with clients from the fields of Counselling, Education and the Health Services.
Much of my work with the Higher Education students at Exeter College focuses on generalised anxiety, panic attacks, depression, study and relationship issues. I also work with an established health programme supporting clients with body image, weight and/or fitness issues.
My experience includes working with Dorset NHS Trust as part of the Steps to Wellbeing Service (an IAPT depression and anxiety service for adults)
I have also worked for ARC, (a GP-referred community counselling service in East Devon, with a focus on loss and bereavement) and with teenagers as a school counsellor across a range of issues, including self-harm, panic attacks, anxiety, low mood, sexuality and self-worth.
I am trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid and in supporting LGBT clients.
Prior to training as a counsellor, my professional career was in education as a qualified teacher and special needs advocate. I am mother to two sons and a daughter who are all now young adults.
Member organisations
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.
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
BACP is one of the UK’s largest professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy. Therapists registered with the Association fall into a number of different membership categories such as Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP and Registered Member MBACP (Accred), each standing for different levels of training and experience. MBACP (Accred) and MBACP (Snr Accred) members have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by the Association.
Registered members can be found on the BACP Register, which was the first register to achieve Accredited Voluntary Register status issued by the Professional Standards Authority. Individual Members will have completed an appropriate counselling and/or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but will not appear on the BACP Register until they've progressed to Registered Member MBACP status.
All members are bound by a Code of Ethics & Practice and a Complaints Procedure. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Accredited register membership
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.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Fees
My fee for:
60 minutes individual counselling - £40. Initial 45 minute appointment £20.
60 minutes couples counselling - £45
90 minutes supervision - £50
The initial appointment provides us with an opportunity to decide if working together will be helpful. If we agree that we're a good fit, the next step is to book a first session and discuss the commitment to ongoing sessions. My work with clients ranges from a few sessions to longer term counselling. I will determine this with you at the first appointment.
Further information
Private Practice
My practice is based in Sidmouth, East Devon. It is a private, peaceful, counselling studio with allocated parking. It has its own facilities and is accessed by just one step.
I offer an integrative approach to counselling based on the principles of Person Centred Therapy (PCT). The focus of PCT is on providing individuals with the time and space to explore and discuss the issues which may be troubling them. An integrative approach means I have many different styles of counselling available to me for working alongside you including CBT. During sessions with me you will be able to explore your thoughts and feelings, free from concerns of rejection or judgement.
