Dr Lesley Pilkington, Chartered Counselling Pyschologist
About me
Hi, my name is Dr Lesley Pilkington and I am a Chartered Counselling Psychologist.
I anticipate that you are here because difficulties have arisen associated with your mental health and well-being and I'm sorry that this is the case. Problems can occur when we are subject to changes or events in our lives that leave us feeling that we don't have the skills, resources or strategies to address them in a way that feels hopeful, helpful or that we are in control. At this point, it's good to begin to explore whether you can move forward and recover from challenges by working with someone trained to offer ways to make sense of what you are experiencing and treatment options focused on returning to health.
I can offer a range of therapeutic interventions to help those affected by stress, who have experienced traumatic events, who may be finding it difficult to make adjustments to change, who are experiencing relationship difficulties or those who have a mental health diagnosis and would like to look at ways to live well.
When you are experiencing difficulties, it's really important that you find the right person to work with you to make the changes that will lead to recovery. With this in mind, I invite you to make use of the free 15 minute appointment I offer when you can ask me any questions you may have and I can outline what I can offer.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a Chartered Counselling Psychologist, registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). I am also registered with the British Psychological Society (BPS). I think it’s important for you to know that the person you work with is registered with a professional body who can set and monitor professional standards and can take action if professionals don’t meet those standards.
I have worked (and volunteered) in mental health settings for 11 years now and in that time I have developed experience and expertise with a range of mental health difficulties and have worked with children, adolescents and adults.
I have worked in the NHS, for charitable organisations and for independent providers of mental health services focusing predominantly on issues affecting mental health, relationship difficulties, stressful life events, adjustment to change (including physical health changes) and traumatic events.
I have also worked as a Senior Lecturer on a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology course where I taught trainee Counselling Psychologists, supervised academic research at Doctoral level and conducted my own research.
Post qualification, I have undertaken a range of additional training in Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), specific training on working with those who experience physical pain, those clients diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder/Unstable Personality Disorder using a trauma informed approach, have attended conferences specifically focused on current interventions for trauma and have undertaken training in supporting those with sleep issues.
Member organisations
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.
Health and Care Professions Council
The HCPC are an independent, UK-wide health regulator. They set standards of professional training, performance and conduct for 16 professions.
They keep a register of health professionals who meet their standards, and they take action if registered health professionals fall below those standards. They were created by a piece of legislation called the Health Professions Order 2001.
Registration means that a health professional meets national standards for their professional training, performance and conduct.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Fees
Sessions are £80 for 60 minutes for those who are privately funding. For those who are seeking therapy as part of their private health insurance, fees vary. Please make use of the free 15 minute session I offer to discuss this with me.
Concessions offered for
Availability
Available for in person, on line or telephone appointments Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 9-8pm.
Further information
I’m really proud of the fact that I am from Teesside, have received all my education locally and was the first person in my family to attend University. I haven’t always been a Psychologist. I was a Secondary School teacher for 15 years and remember the young people I met with great affection. I have two rescue dogs and have learnt a lot from them about patience, never giving up and adapting to suit their need! I think it’s important to tell you that I have experienced mental health difficulties and have benefited from psychological therapy in my own life.
