Helen Scholes
About me
Hello, my name is Helen.
When you’re feeling distressed or in need of support deciding to get help is a very positive first step towards feeling better. Finding the right kind of help can sometimes seem a bit daunting and so I have summarised below the key information you might need. If you have any questions or need more information please feel free to get in touch.
- I offer face to face counselling for adults and young people aged eighteen and over and can usually offer you an appointment within 7 days.
- I have experience of treating people with depression, anxiety, panic attacks, bereavement, relationship difficulties, trauma, family issues, life-changes, confidence and self-esteem problems, work-place issues and stress.
- You will be welcomed regardless of your social, religious or ethnic background, your sexuality or gender identity. I am committed to promoting inclusion and am comfortable and competent working with issues of identity and difference.
- We would meet in a discreet, comfortable consulting room in the centre of Shrewsbury.
- We will decide together how many sessions you are likely to need to achieve your goals. Often we can make a difference in as few as 4 sessions, but more can be available if needed.
- Please feel free to contact me directly to discuss an appointment. I also accept referrals from GPs, other health professionals, employers and Employee Assistance Programmes.
- I also offer counsellor supervision.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a Registered, Accredited Member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP). BACP Individual Accreditation is a quality standard for the experienced practitioner who demonstrates high standards of competent and ethical practice.
During my training I studied a range of therapeutic approaches to enable me understand and help people in distress and those seeking personal growth. Experience tells me that there is no such thing as a typical client - certain types of counselling suit some people more than others, so I draw from a range of approaches to provide the right help for you.
I have worked with people from many different backgrounds and a wide variety of issues, within my private practice, a counselling agency and GP surgery settings in Shrewsbury & Telford.
In the past I have had counselling myself which had a very positive effect on my life and influenced my decision to train as a counsellor. Statistics show that 1 in 4 of us is likely to experience a mental or emotional wellbeing issue at some point in our lives. I believe that there is usually a reason for distress, that feeling unhappy is part of being human, but that we all deserve and are capable of experiencing happiness.
My previous experiences working in management roles and as C.E.O. of a local counselling service (Confide) have given me insight into workplace issues. I have also worked as a reflexologist and even a circus skills teacher! Alongside these things, I am a trained to teach Mindful Self-Compassion and therapeutic dance.
I am bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and engage in regular continuing professional development.
I am also a qualified and experienced counsellor supervisor.
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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
I also offer counsellor supervision.
Availability
Weekdays and evenings.
Further information
As a psychotherapeutic counsellor, I view people holistically and in the context of their current situation and earlier life experiences.
By providing a regular time to explore feelings and talk about your problems counselling can help you get new perspectives and a better understanding of your difficulties. I don’t usually give advice, but I will help you think about what choices are available to you. I may suggest areas to explore, but the sessions are your time and you can decide what is important to be talked about. The point of counselling is to help you make your own decisions. You will be encouraged to find positive solutions that you are comfortable with.
My room has disabled access. If you have any other specific needs please let me know.