Leigh Skelding
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
My name is Leigh and I am a qualified Integrative Counsellor working within school settings in Hertfordshire/Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire, alongside my own Private Practice in Baldock. I have extensive experience working with children/teenagers and adults affected by anxiety, social anxiety, depression, low mood, self-esteem, bereavement and attachment issues.
I work with children aged 5+ on the Autistic spectrum and their families within a school setting on a daily basis, helping them to deal with life's challenges and looking at their transition for life beyond school age. I work Creatively incorporating Play therapy for those on the Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD/ADHD/Asperger's enabling them to express themselves with their social, communication, interests and behaviour. I have worked alongside families whose children have been excluded from education due to behavioural issues, where the impact on the child and family are significant. I predominantly use forms of art therapy to assist children in expressing, understanding and working with their emotions. I am a member of the Creative Counselling Group which allows me full access to a variety of resources.
My Private Practice space is currently in Baldock, Hertfordshire, where I am able to see people on a one to one basis or families, alongside my "Walk and Talk" Therapy, which I currently work outside in Stotfold, Hitchin, Letchworth and Royston.
In May 2019 I started to offer 'Walk and Talk' therapy, no matter what the weather it allows total freedom and has a number of proven benefits.
People often feel better immediately because it:
It’s easy, natural and relaxing to be outdoors or out in a natural environment
It doesn’t require a lot of eye contact and it is more comfortable to walk and talk side by side than in an office.
Allows you to think clearly and creatively about your problems. Therefore, find solutions quicker.
It's healthy and uplifting because walking improves your health and energy levels, so you sleep better and feel more energetic.
It's soothing, calming and nice to be outdoors or to walk in nature, so you fret less about your problems.
It is suitable for everyone. You set your own walking pace, from a gentle stroll to a brisk pace or simply sit on a bench in natural surroundings – whatever you are comfortable with. We will agree on a place to meet to suit your needs.
I am very much a people person, warm by nature and empathic. I accept all who walk through my door without fear of judgment. I see people as unique and appreciate that we all have difficult moments when we need to reach out and have someone to talk too. Studies show that your relationship with your counsellor is the key to a successful outcome within a therapeutic setting. How well we connect with our counsellor is essential – clients need to feel safe, secure, and that they are working with someone they can trust.
I am professional and abide to the BACP ethics and regulations. I regularly attend Clinical Supervision to review my work and complete a minimum of 32 hours of CPD, (continued professional development) each year to keep my professional skills up to date.
I offer one off, short term and long term therapy.
I hold an enhanced DBS and full Insurance.
Training, qualifications & experience
Training, qualifications & experience
ABC Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Person Centred Therapy
CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Person Centred Therapy
Certificate in Counselling Skills.
BACP - Certificate of Proficiency
Continued Professional Development/Certificates:
working therapeutically with stones (2024)
Working with the highly sensitive person (2024)
working with females with ADHD (2023)
CBT Working with children and adolescents (2022)
Working with self harm and suicide (2022)
Working with male clients (2021)
Creative Therapy - working with arts and media (2020)
The Impact of Trauma In Infancy on Child Development (2020)
Life Story work (2019)
Safeguarding children within Domestic Violence (2019)
Working with ASD (2019)
Couples therapy (2019)
LGBTQ ‘I’m still me’ (2018)
Reflecting on Ethical and Clinical Dilemmas (2018)
Working with Sexualised Trauma (2018)
Working legally with Sexual Abuse (2018)
Bereavement linked to Trauma (2017)
Working with Suicide (2017)
Anxiety Provoking Situations (2017)
Working therapeutically with individuals convicted or accused of sexual offending
GDPR (2018-19)
I hold an enhanced DBS certificate.
I have full public liability insurance.
I regularly update my counselling knowledge and skills by participating in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) workshops.
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
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£60.00 per session
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
I offer short, mid and long-term face to face counselling depending on your needs. There is no obligation to commit to a fixed number of sessions.
Adults and Young people - £60 per session. (50 minutes)
Couples - £70.00 per session. (60 minutes)
Family Counselling £70 per session. (60 minutes)
Students/NHS workers - Please contact for further details
Sliding scale payments for those receiving Benefits are offered. Please inquire to see how it can work for you.
When I work
Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm
Wednesday/Thursday until 8pm
Further information
Sliding scale payments are offered for those in receipt of Benefits or in Low income households. Students will also be offered a discounted rate along with NHS staff.
