Dr John McDonald
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Welcome to Real Talk Counselling & Psychotherapy.
I am an Integrative Psychotherapist, which means I work with people in a complete way considering emotions, thinking, behaviours and an awareness of the body. At the heart of how I work as a psychotherapist is a deep acceptance and valuing of individuals, appreciating how you are in the world and supporting you to change in the way you hope to be. I work to be fully with you, open to your experiences with a kindness that allows for the development of a unique therapeutic relationship that can lead to meaningful, personal change in unthinkable ways.
Individuals often seek therapy when how they feel about themselves, how they feel within their relationships, or the world around them, is disturbing and brings a stress that does not leave. I aim to support you and help you understand the thoughts and feelings that are experienced as overwhelming or troubling. Together, through the therapeutic relationship opportunities are provided for you to work through your difficulties in an environment that is safe and confidential, helping you to understand your troubles more clearly and bring a greater sense of personal security into your life.
In my approach to psychotherapy I believe that it is the quality of our relationships that is fundamental to creating a personal sense of well-being and confidence within ourselves and the world. The problems that cause you to seek support will shape how we work together and may see our looking at ways to reduce your anxiety and its underlying causes, we may work towards reducing feelings of depression or we may explore your past and consider how this influences the feelings you have about yourself and your relationships.
I offer one to one counselling and psychotherapy on an open-ended basis lasting as long as you need. I also offer short term counselling. I have experience of working with adults of all ages, on a wide range of issues and difficulties.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualified Psychotherapist accredited by the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).
Post-graduate diploma, Integrative Psychotherapy and Counselling.
Certificate of Higher Education in Counselling.
Doctor of Philosophy, PhD Research Project:“Functional Consequences of Nociceptin Receptor Activation”.
BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences.
I have wide experience as a counsellor and psychotherapist, I have worked for a counselling centre for over 4 years and previously worked as a Victim Support Worker with Victim Support for number of years.
I initially trained for 2 years at the University of Leicester gaining a Certificate of Higher Education in Contemporary Psychodynamic Counselling. To deepen my knowledge and understanding of counselling and psychotherapy I followed this training with a 4 year Postgraduate Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy at the Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute (SPTI) in Nottingham.
I am accredited by the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) and I adhere to their Ethical Principles and Code of Professional Conduct.I am also a member of the Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute and I work within their Code of Ethics.
I receive regular Supervision of my work.
Member organisations
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.
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
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
£45.00 per session
Free initial telephone session
Additional information
I charge £45 per session for individuals.
A minimum notice of 48 hours is required for cancellation session, the usual charge will be made for any session booked but not attended.
