Libby Thornton
Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.
This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Deeply empathetic, intuitive but dynamic and passionate, I am creative and robust in my work. Establishing a relationship based on respect and understanding is of the utmost importance. After 25 years as a therapist and 30 as a Health Visitor I have had a varied work experiences and am able to create a safe environment where we can explore any difficulties you are facing.
My theoretical framework is psychodynamic although I use systemic and CBT approaches and techniques also. The Counselling for Depression refresher course reminded me of the strength of a Rogerian approach. I feel this combines well with my knowledge base from my Psychology and Nursing Degree, creating a way of working, which is grounded, holding and analytical but very real.
Currently in my private practice I offer both short and long term individual therapy, once or twice a week. I can work face to face, Facetime ,on the phone ,Whats app or skype. I am confident in making home visits. I am experienced in running group therapy as well as supervision for students and qualified counsellors.
I have worked in a variety of settings. At the Counselling centre I was part of the assessment team as well as working short term with many contracts, and holding long-term clients. Now I am working with charities, GP’s as well in the NHS. Running a Postnatal Depression Group for 10 years has been deeply satisfying for me and fruitful and effective for the women. The evaluations contained statements such as;
"Amazing"
”Don’t know how you get to the heart of it so quickly”
”Thank you for helping me get my life back”.
Training, qualifications & experience
My theoretical framework is psychodynamic although I use systemic and CBT approaches and techniques also. The Counselling for Depression refresher course reminded me of the strength of a Rogerian approach. I feel this combines well with my knowledge base from my Psychology and Nursing Degree, creating a way of working, which is grounded, holding and analytical but very real.
My 5 years at The Westminster Pastoral Foundation led to an Advanced Diploma (graduate equivalent) and in addition I undertook Short Term Psychotherapy and Solution Focused therapy courses. I also qualified with a Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in 2010. I completed my BACP accreditation in 2006 and am now completed two further accreditations. VIG or video interactive guidance therapy is based on attachment theory, working with the quality of attentiveness, reciprocity and attunement. The therapy records the interaction between infants and children and their caregivers. Together we analyse these interactions and consider changes which can make enormous differences to family and individual lives. Mothers can feel empowered by the process and deeply moved by what they see and experience. It is a privilege to be helping this change to happen. VIG was part of my CAMHS( Child and Adolescent Mental Health ) work as an Under 5's Therapist .
Counselling for Depression and accreditation through the Colchester Institute gave me additional ways of working with depression. Working for this accreditation has focused on a Humanistic approach and I used this in my IAPT work at a London Hospital.
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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Adaptation to parenthood.
Philosophical issues such as the loss of purpose and giving meaning to life.
Therapies offered
Fees
£70.00 - £100.00
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
£70 per session for individual work
Supervision £60 per hour
Concessions considered Key workers £50 per session or call for further reduction
Students please call to discuss fees
VIG work please call to discuss
When I work
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | |||||||
| Afternoon | |||||||
| Evening | |||||||
| Night |
At present I have a few spaces only . Please email and we can discuss the options .
Further information
I believe therapy works because we want our lives to be different, we can be resourceful and we have the power to change. This can come about as we talk about feelings which are causing distress or confusion. Such feelings can impact on everyday life, influencing how we see the world and relate to others. Such feelings may track back to earlier times in your life and you may feel have become a part of you. You may wonder how you can ever feel different. However gently uncovering layers, can help you see yourself and others in a new light and help you respond differently. Whilst insight can be like a light bulb moment I feel that the shared journey, we will take together, is equally significant. Better and deeper relationships can come from this.
Enthusiasm, energy but also understanding are the hallmarks of my work.
Wheelchair access available.
