This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
My name is Irene Alford. I live in Stockport (Greater Manchester) and offer a private ‘Independent Counselling Service’ based here for both adults and young persons.
I am a fully qualified and insured Integrative Counsellor.I am a member of the MBACP (British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists), meaning, I abide by their guidelines and Ethical Framework.
As a counsellor, I feel privileged to be able to support individuals on their own therapeutic journeys. I always work to the best of my ability and the client remains at the centre of all the work. I provide my clients with a safe, calm environment for them to discuss and reflect on their problem. I aim to give them the chance to be heard and the opportunity to make a change. I work in an integrative way which means that I have different tools my toolkit and will find the right one to help you. I am an approachable, empathic person. I am a good listener and non-judgemental of anything clients share, confidentiality is key in our therapeutic relationship. I walk alongside you always providing unconditional positive regard and unlimited empathy.
I have years of experience with young people and adults in crisis. Counselling young people requires specialist knowledge.
I love working with with diverse clients. I understand the impact anxiety, panic attacks, loss, depression, bereavement, addiction, sadness, etc can have on the individual and their loved ones. If you would like to know more, you are welcome to get in touch. Counselling really does help.
The first appointment with any client whether they are a young person or an adult is the assessment session. This session is about information gathering and agreeing contracts and terms of therapy. It is an opportunity to assess and decide if counselling is going to be the best service to meet the required need and for you, the Client, to confirm if you want me to support you on your journey of therapy and a happier life.
Training, qualifications & experience
- Introduction to Counselling
- Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills
- Level 3 in Counselling Skills
- Level 4 Diploma in the Theory and Practice of Counselling
- Short course in Intro-Substance Misuse Counselling
- Professional Development Training in Attachment
- NVQ 3 in Social Care for Looked after Children
- Registered Member BACP
I currently have a contract with a local school, where I counsel two days a week. I have a very successful private practice in the centre of Stockport and I also love to work online. Please feel free to contact me for a free consultation 15 minute call. I look forward to hearing from you.
Member organisations
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
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 have in-dept experience with Autism and the effects of it on family members/newly diagnosed parents.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£55.00 per session
Additional information
£55 per Session.
I require payment in advance for each session via Bank transfer.
Cash and Paypal.
24 Hours notice needs to be given if cancelling in order for me to issue a refund.
When I work
Available at present in Evenings and Saturday Mornings. Can offer some afternoon sessions, depending on my current bookings.
