Dr Kirsty Bilski


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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
I am a BACP Accredited Counsellor & Psychotherapist, and Qualified Supervisor. I have extensive experience counselling Adults, Children and Young People and aim to provide a therapeutic experience characterised by acceptance, genuine warmth and understanding within a safe and confidential setting. As an integrative counsellor I combine a variety of theoretical approaches which enables me to be flexible to your individual needs. I feel privileged to be alongside people through their therapeutic journey and to witness their individual healing, emotional growth and the changes they may choose to invite for the future.
I offer a gentle approach which pays close attention to your individual story, allowing you to explore your difficulties whilst experiencing sensitivity, respect and valuing. Counselling involves a process of engaging in talking together in a comfortable and private environment where you will begin to unravel your story and to make sense of your difficulties.
I offer the opportunity to embark on therapy using creative techniques, making use of art materials, clay and creative techniques including Sandtray and countless miniature objects. Sandtray is a powerful way of exploring your world which can lead to a deep level of personal awareness and emotional growth. This is a well respected approach to therapy which is suitable for young people and adults.
My therapeutic work is underpinned by many years of academic study, I achieved an Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling (BACP accredited) which was achieved at the Iron Mill Institute ( The Iron Mill College) in Exeter. Following this I obtained an MA in Counselling Children & Young People and a further MA in Consultative Supervision. I have completed a PhD (Doctorate) with the University of South Wales via research into adolescent counselling and the intricacies of therapeutic change. I also enjoy educating the next generation of counsellors through an array of CPCAB training qualifications available at The Way Forward Centre, Swansea.
Training, qualifications & experience
QUALIFICATIONS
MBACP Accreditation - March 2012
BACP Register of Counsellors & Psychotherapists: Certificate Number: 025922
Fellowship of Higher Education Academy (HEA) 2016
Registered with the Education Workforce Council (EWC) 2017
PhD Doctor of Philosophy: Counselling & Psychotherapy 2022
MA Consultative Supervision 2015
PG Dip Consultative Supervision
University of South Wales Newport - 2014
MA Counselling Children & Young People
University of South Wales Newport - 2013
PG Dip Counselling Children & Young People
University of South Wales Newport - 2012
Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling
The Iron Mill Institute, Exeter 2008 BACP Accredited
Foundation Degree in Heath & Social Care (Distinction)
Plymouth University Somerset College, Taunton 2005 with Counselling Skills (FdA)
CPCAB Level 2 Cert in Counselling Skills
Plymouth University Somerset College, Taunton 2005
CPCAB Level 3 Cert in Counselling Studies
Plymouth University Somerset College, Taunton 2005
EXPERIENCE
I have a wide range of experience working with clients of all ages. My professional career has included supporting vulnerable adults experiencing housing need, the rehabilitation of adult survivors of serious mental health difficulties, adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse, as well as those suffering from chronic or terminal illness. I have also worked with adults suffering from a full and diverse range of emotional difficulty including, for example, bereavement and complicated grief, anxiety and stress, work related iissues, womens issues, family problems (from the perspectives of both adults and children), Gender, sexuality and identity, and relationships.
After gaining substantial experience working with adults I then began working with a younger client group through volunteering for 'Help Counselling 9 - 25 year olds', a children's charity based in Bristol. I then gained employment working extensively across schools in Somerset followed by a move to South Wales in 2009 where I joined Neath Port Talbot CBC as a part of the Welsh Government School Based Counselling Strategy. Here I worked in a number of secondary and primary schools across Neath Port Talbot. My work in schools came to an end in 2014 in favour of working privately with adults and young people in the Swansea area, and commitment to further academic study.
I became the Founding Director of Way Forward Counselling Services in Swansea since 2014 and have been commited to the wellbeing of children, adults and young people throughout the local community during that time. Early in 2020 we gained approval to become a CPCAB training centre (The Way Forward Centre) offering a variety of CPCAB courses providing a route for students to become qualified counsellors. Therefore, at The Way Forward Centre, we continue to provide counselling and psychotherapy appointments, I also offer supervision to allied professionals and undertake teaching the next generation of counsellors.
Member organisations
school 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.

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
WORKING CREATIVELY WITH SANDTRAY
I also use an approach to counselling called 'sandtray' to work creatively with clients of all ages. it is up to you if you would like to do this or not however this approach can be very beneficial. It makes use of an expansive collection of miniature objects which can be placed in the sand to represent aspects of your world. Through carefully working with the images and dynamics of the sandtray you may be able to gain new perspective on your personal situation. This approach is used with adults, children and young people. Please feel free to ask more questions about sandtray.
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING SERVICES
I also Supervise other counsellors, information regarding supervision can also be obtained from my website www.wayforwardcentre.com
At the Way Forward Centre for counselling, training and professional development, I also run training courses for other counselling and psychotherapy practitioners, and allied professionals, in how to use sandtray.
I am also developing a full range of CPCAB courses which will be delivered from the Way Forward Centre beginning September 2020. For further information please visit www.wayforwardcentre.com These courses offer students the opportunity to work towards becoming fully qualified counsellors.
The following are further aspects of my work
Relationship issues, anxiety, generalised anxiety, depression, family issues, relationship issues, postnatal depression, depression, separation and divorce, cross cultural relationships, abuse, anger management, bereavement, loss, low self-esteem, low self-worth, low self-confidence, counselling adults, child related issues, counselling children, counselling adolescents, counselling young people, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, online counselling, telephone counselling, physical abuse, self harm, suicidal thoughts, work related stress, gender identity disorder, bullying, abortion, chronic pain, disability, terminal illness, cancer, redundancy, low mood, relationships, relational counselling, Looked after child, LAC, leaving care, emotional health and well being.
Therapies offered
Fees
£80.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
£80 per hour - face to face, online or telephone counselling.
Payment must be made in advance of sessions or at the beginning of each session.
Payment accepted by Direct Credit or card machine (all major debit and credit cards accepted)
Further information
Kirsty is the Director of the Way Forward Centre for Counselling Training and Professional Development. This is a CPCAB Approved centre providing Counselling training for those beginning their counselling training, through to qualification and up to continued professional development for already qualified counsellors. The Way Forward Centre is expanding the numbers of courses available. If you would be interested in training to become a qualified counsellor then please do get in touch. More information on the courses offered can be located through the following link:
https://wayforwardcounselling.com/counselling-courses