Hilary McNair BA (Hons) Couns MBACP(Accred) Dip Couns B.Ed (Hons)
About me
Currently, it can be difficult to meet for face to face counselling indoors, however, I offer walking therapy if it is suitable for your needs. I also work online and offer telephone counselling. Please see my website for more details on these options.
How counselling can help you?
Sometimes we can feel overwhelmed and unable to cope with life's problems. This can feel like a very lonely place to be. We may want to share our feelings with a friend, but sometimes this doesn't feel like enough, or the problem may feel too difficult, personal or embarrassing to share. It is at times like these that talking to a fully qualified Professional Counsellor in a non-judgmental, empathic setting can offer new hope.
About myself
I would like to introduce myself to you. My name is Hilary McNair and I am passionate about helping people through the process of counselling. I have over 10 years of experience in this field. I feel privileged to come alongside people in their difficulties, show compassion, and walk part of their journey with them. Sometimes having someone to really listen to you in a confidential setting can bring relief and can provide new insight into your situation. You bring your expertise about yourself and your inner resources and I bring my professional knowledge, skills and experience of the counselling process. Together, in this relationship of trust, we can tackle the problems as a team and try to come to a new understanding. Having someone understand us at a deep level can be a very healing experience.
How I work
My approach to counselling is integrative and relational. As part of this integration, I draw aspects of the theories mentioned below, tailoring my approach to suit individual client needs.
Supervision
I offer counselling supervision to students and to qualified counsellors. See my supervision profile for more information.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications
- BA (Hons) Degree in Counselling (Waverley Abbey College/ Roehampton University)
- Diploma in Counselling
- Certificate in Couples Counselling
- Diploma in Counselling Supervision
- B.Ed (Hons) Degree
- Level 5 Certificate in Counselling Children and Young People ( ABC accredited course passed with distinction)
- Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling (over 80 hours CPD training and accredited by ACTO)
- Certificate in CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)
- BACP Registered and Accredited
I am committed to ongoing learning in counselling and so attend regular workshops on various issues related to my work. I also read avidly on the subject, thus keeping abreast of current research and treatment techniques.
Experience:
I have experience of successfully working with a wide range of client issues including abuse (childhood and domestic), trauma (including PTSD), stress, anxiety, bullying, self-harm, rape, relationship problems, depression, low self-esteem, bereavement and loss, adoption issues and addiction problems.
My experience as a primary school teacher and of leading parenting workshops has helped my understanding of child development and creative interventions and has given me insight into what helps people sustain desired changes. Because I was involved in management in this field, I have some understanding of work-related stress.
I have also started and led a support group for people with Huntington's Disease, giving me insight into this condition and into the stresses of being a carer, whilst also having direct experience of supporting people with Aspergers Syndrome. In addition I lead Pastoral Skills courses (an Association of Christian Counsellors course) and have co-lead courses on self-esteem.
I design and teach counselling courses for Kent Adult Education, once again keeping me up-dated with current research. I have taught up to and including Diploma level. I also write and deliver CPD courses for practicing counsellors. I have a diploma in counselling supervision, allowing me to supervise other counsellors in their work.
I do paid work for a well known publisher, reviewing counselling book proposals and reviewing current books which are about to go into a second edition. This, once again, keeps me up to date with current thinking in the subject area.
I am a registered and accredited member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and work within their Ethical Framework. This adds an extra level of accountability for myself, which gives peace of mind to clients. The BACP Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists is accredited by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care. This can be verified by following the link:
http://www.bacpregister.co.uk/check_register/results.php?certname=Hilary+McNair&certnum=&country=uk&postcode=&distance=20&units=miles
I also regularly consult with a counselling supervisor who acts independently and checks that I am working ethically and that I am providing the best possible service for my clients.
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
I charge £45 per 50 minute session held in Chartham (approximately 3 miles south of Canterbury). Appointments are available in Canterbury for £60. I have some 8AM appointments available in Chartham if you want to try and fit in a session before work. Unfortunately, I am not able to offer appointments in school holiday times.
If you phone me, please leave a message with your name and contact number and I will get back to you. I am rarely able to answer the phone directly.
Further information
What to expect:
It is sometimes hard to take the first step in asking for counselling. It may feel difficult to verbalise your problems. I know what a struggle this can be from my own experience of being a client. Do feel free to email me for more information or phone me to ask more questions. Sometimes it can feel safer to start by emailing or phoning with your questions anonymously, without any obligation to take things further.
At our first meeting you would be able to find out what you want to know about myself, my approach and my experience, to see if this is what you are looking for. You would be able to share what it is that brings you for counselling. It won't matter if you feel muddled about how you put this across, or if you feel very emotional. These feelings are quite normal. You will have the opportunity to share with me what you hope to get from the counselling process and I will tell you what I can offer you. You would be able to decide whether or not you would like to continue working together and we can discuss how many sessions would be appropriate for your needs.
Where I work
I offer a comfortable counselling room, in Chartham, close to an area of outstanding 
natural beauty, with easy, free parking. It is a 15-20 minute walk up a hill from the local train station, or just over a 5 minute walk from the bus stop. You would be very welcome to meet me here to discuss any concerns you may have about the counselling process before committing to us working together.
I see some clients at 32, Barton Road, in Canterbury. This location is just off New Dover Road and has free parking just outside the building. There is also a bus stop close to the building.
I look forward to hearing from you.
