Dr Kirsty Bilski

Verified Professional Verified Professional
Verified Professional

Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.

she/her/hers
PhD, MA, MA, MBACP (Accred.) FHEA
Limited availability
Limited availability

This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.

Swansea Enterprise Park, Swansea, SA7 9EH
Limited availability
Limited availability

This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.

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

Registered / Accredited

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
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

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

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
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.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

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.


Fees

£80.00 per session

Concessions offered for

  • Low income
  • Keyworkers
  • OAPs
  • Students
  • Trainee counsellors

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  

The Way Forward Centre, Suite 10, The Hub, Copper Court, Phoenix Way, Swansea Enterprise Park, Swansea, SA7 9EH

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Types of client

Children
Young people
Adults
Older Adults
Groups
Organisations
Employee Assistance Programme

Key details

DBS check

In England and Wales, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, formerly known as CRB) carry out criminal records checks for individuals working with vulnerable groups, such as children. To find out more, visit gov.uk , or contact this professional directly

Wheelchair user access
Wheelchair user access

Wheelchair-accessible premises should have step-free access for wheelchair users and individuals who are unable to climb stairs. If a Counsellor's premises aren't step-free, they may offer alternative services such as telephone/web-based appointments, home visits, or meeting clients in different location, so you can choose the option that suits you best.

You can contact the Counsellor to discuss the options available.

Under the Equality Act 2010 service providers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that individuals with disabilities can access their service. You can read more about reasonable adjustments to help you to access services on the CAB website.

The counselling rooms are on the first floor, there is a lift available for wheelchair users and those with reduced mobility. The bathroom facilities would require some independent mobility to negotiate.

Online platforms

Whatsapp
Zoom

Supervision

In person
Online
Phone

Kirsty provides a well informed, encouraging, growthful experience focused on the client/ counsellor relationship & professional development.

View supervision profile

Social