Helen Cross
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MA UKCP
Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.
About me
Welcome!
I am a fully accredited psychotherapist and counsellor with many years' experience. I warmly welcome people who are facing a wide range of issues - recognising that everyone's situation is unique. My aim is to help each person feel safe, so that difficulties can be explored in an atmosphere of acceptance. I have a particular interest in helping people with depression, low self esteem and the impact of past trauma. I also support those facing anxiety and distress, which are so prevalent in these times of uncertainty and turbulence.
How do you choose...?
Counselling and psychotherapy are most helpful when you feel comfortable enough with the therapist to risk revealing thoughts, feelings or experiences that may have caused you to feel shame or self-doubt. That in itself can be a great relief. Then it becomes possible to explore difficult experiences and feelings, get a better understanding of the situation and experiment with new ways of being or behaving.
It can be daunting to think about asking a stranger for help - and reading all these profiles can be quite overwhelming. The important thing is to find someone you feel you can trust and who is a good 'fit' for you.
You may not be able to tell what feels right until you meet someone face to face, so it can sometimes be helpful to contact or meet more than one person before you decide.
Practical Arrangements
Counselling may be short term (6-10 weeks)
Psychotherapy usually involves working in more depth and it can take time to build the necessary sense of safety and trust. This is likely to need a longer commitment, 6 months at least - but this is always open to negotiation.
My practice is based in calm, comfortable rooms in Dartington and Bovey Tracey. During the pandemic I have been working mainly from home, offering sessions online and by phone, but I am now offering face-to-face sessions again where possible.
To start with, I offer a free introductory meeting in which we can discuss the work and how it might be helpful. If we agree that we would like to work together, then we can arrange a trial period of six sessions. After that, we will review our work and decide whether to continue for a further time-limited period, or to work on an open-ended basis.
There is no clear-cut distinction between how I work with counselling and psychotherapy. Counselling may be more focused on a particular current difficulty. Psychotherapy is usually longer term as it involves developing a trusting relationship to enable underlying issues and patterns to unfold. In my experience, therapy is most effective if we can meet every week, at least initially.
Confidentiality and safety are paramount. Core Process Psychotherapists are bound by the Codes of Ethics and Professional Standards of the UKCP (United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy) and the ACPP (Association of Core Process Psychotherapists) My work is fully supervised and insured.
I also offer Clinical Supervision for counsellors, psychotherapists and other professionals.
Training, qualifications & experience
- M.A. in Core Process Psychotherapy (2010)
- UKCP Accredited (2011)
- Training in Mindfulness-based Supervision (2017)
- Diploma in Advanced Counselling and Therapy Skills (Person Centred Approach) (1995)
- PGCE (1988)
Learning in this profession is a continuous process. Recently I have attended:
- Existential Course (Therapy Harley Street, 2021)
- Trauma workshop (Janina Fisher, 2021)
- The body and trauma (Carolyn Spring, 2019)
My experience in counselling and psychotherapy stretches back over 25 years, beginning with work in voluntary organisations, and including work for the NHS and in a university counselling service as well as in private practice. I also contribute to the training of new practitioners and was a tutor on counselling and psychotherapy courses for the Open University for many years.
Core Process Psychotherapy is one of the original mindfulness-based approaches, but is also 'cutting edge', drawing on many new ideas about what promotes wellbeing. I am trained to work in ways that are powerful and effective, but also gentle and respectful of the needs of the individual. It's a great privilege to be trusted with people's inner experience and this is a responsibility I take very seriously.
I love this work - every person I work with is unique and there is always something new to learn. I have always been curious about how our minds work and about how we can find fulfilment in life, even in challenging times. I continue to explore new ideas, updating and developing my skills and understanding through attending courses, workshops and other events.
In my own life, I have found counselling and psychotherapy very helpful when facing difficulties - it's important to know what it's like to experience this from the other side!
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.
UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.
As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.
UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. 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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
- Core Process Psychotherapy
- Existential issues, such as fear of death or the search for meaning in life.
Therapies offered
Fees
£45.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
£45 per hour
Concessions can usually be negotiated for students, those on low incomes or in temporary financial hardship due to COVID 19. Please contact me to discuss.
When I work
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Weekdays and some evenings
Further information
Please contact me to discuss options.
