About me
Welcome. If you are reading this you have taken the first step to seeking change. Deciding to come for counselling can be a nerve wracking step, but, it's important to remember that we all have times when we need some emotional support and someone to be there for us. Sometimes we just want to be heard and know that someone cares.
I have experienced counselling for myself and am aware of how initially it can feel a bit like - how can anyone help me? How can counselling help me? I am also aware of the many benefits of counselling and how it can enable us to bring about change for ourselves, even when it feels like nothing could possibly change.
You may be feeling sad, anxious, low or confused or finding it hard to organise your thoughts. You may feel that no one can else can understand the way you feel and that you may be judged if you talk about what you are thinking and feeling. It may seem as though you are all alone with your anxiety or overwhelming worries, unable to focus on anything or anyone else. You may feel that things don’t feel right for you anymore, and that you want things to change, but don't know where to start.
How counselling can help:
Having a trained, empathic counsellor to talk to can help you to feel less overwhelmed and isolated. Counselling provides you with a safe space, which is just yours, and someone who is there for just you, whose focus is solely on you. Counselling also gives you a time and space, where you can focus on yourself and look at the things which concern you in a safe and supported environment. Hearing yourself talk about things out loud, maybe for the very first time, and sharing them with someone who you can trust and who will truly listen, can be the first step towards positive and meaningful change.
How I can help:
I am a qualified, Person Centred Counsellor. I offer a safe, non-judgemental, confidential space to talk about any painful, confusing, or uncomfortable issues that you may have. As a Person Centred Counsellor I believe that everyone has the ability to find answers within, to understand themselves and their needs more deeply and to find solutions and directions which are right for them. As your counsellor I will support you in this process. Together we can look at things such as negative patterns in relationships, unwanted coping mechanisms such as alcohol use, behaviours you want to change or feel that you can no longer tolerate from others. I will not judge, criticise you or tell you what to do or how to feel. I will be beside you every step of the way, hearing your lived experience, how it feels for you, while at the same time, helping you to explore and find meaning and ways to change the things which trouble you.
Training, qualifications & experience
I hold:
A Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body (CPCAB) Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling.
A CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills.
A CPCAB level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies.
An Open University Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling.
Alongside my private practice, I volunteer as a Counsellor for a charitable counselling service based in Cirencester and have done so for the past two years, where I have supported clients with issues such as:
Anxiety, depression, work place stress and redundancy, low self esteem/image/confidence, bullying, loneliness, bereavement, suicidal ideation, and loss. Adults living with childhood sexual abuse, abandonment and attachment issues, the impact of alcohol dependency/misuse, family conflict, family breakdown, parenting issues, living with long term illness, racial issues, and anger issues. Marital/relationship issues.
I also hold:
An Open University Bachelor of Science (BSc) Degree in Social Sciences (including Psychology and Child Development/Childhood modules).
A Bath University Bachelor of Science BSc (Hons) Degree in Social Work.
I am a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and adhere to their ethical framework and their professional standards of working. I undertake regular supervision by a qualified Counsellor. I am fully insured and continue to undertake regular training to add to my skill set and knowledge.
Member organisations
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
Before becoming a counsellor and beginning my private practice, I worked in the Social Care sector for several Local Authorities with children, young people and families for 10 years. I have worked with children and families in some capacity for over 25 years. I have also worked older adults.
Because of my past work, training and experiences, I am experienced and can also offer support to adults who live with/have lived with Domestic abuse, sexual/emotional/physical abuse, familial alcohol/substance use, family conflict, parenting issues, attachment and abandonment issues, separating parents and the impact of this on a family, and child contact issues between parents and the impact of this on a family.
I am also happy to work confidentially with professionals who work/have worked within Social Care settings in very demanding, highly pressurised roles and who are susceptible to ongoing stress and burnout.
I have experience of and an interest of working with those living within a military background/as a military dependent. I understand the impact of constant relocation, upheaval, separation and isolation as well as living within this unique and insular environment.
I also have experience and an interest in working with those affected by the Menopause.
Therapies offered
Fees
From £35.00 to £45.00
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
My rates are £35 to £45 for a 50 minute session, for individual adults. Block bookings can be made. I offer a discounted rate for a 50 minute session to Counselling students. I will discuss discounted rates with students and OAPs.
Payments are to be made by bank transfer in advance of sessions or on the day of the session.
I offer a free 15-20 minute phone call (an informal chat about your needs).
I offer short term therapy, usually, 6-12 weeks and long-term therapy which is open ended, depending on what you feel you need.
Availability
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Please do contact me to ask about availability other than the day/times above as these may be subject to change.
Further information
I offer a free 15 minute phone call to have an informal chat to give you space, without any obligation, to see if you feel that I am the counsellor for you and if I can help you in any way.
If you feel that I am the counsellor for you and we both feel that we can work together, in our initial session we will get to know each other a little more and at your pace, we will look in more depth at what has brought you to counselling, what you are hoping to achieve from counselling, and any goals you may have for yourself.
