Liz Merrell
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Thank you for coming to my profile page.
Therapy can be useful when life is difficult and nothing else seems to work. Finding the right therapist, someone with whom you feel comfortable and safe, is one of the most important factors for a successful outcome. So I hope the information below will help give you some idea of whether I might be the right person for you.
I have worked for several years one-to-one with adults and young people on a wide range of issues and difficulties. My aim is to provide support in a respectful, compassionate and down to earth way. I work mainly in a peaceful and private room in central Halifax but can also offer some sessions in Hebden Bridge.
You might be seeking a practical and solution-focused approach to your problem, or you might need something more explorative - a confidential place where you can gain some insight into what's going on for you and how this might have arisen. You might want just a few sessions or to work in a longer term, more open-ended way.
The best therapy is a collaboration. I don't come with a fixed theory of what will help you, instead I work in a careful and holistic way in order to support your own process of healing. My experience of working with mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety, has shown that these can often signal that something needs to change in our lives or in our relationship with ourselves or other people. Sometimes the experiences that have hurt us, recently or in the past, can suddenly bring us to a standstill as a way of demanding our time and attention.
I see therapy as a useful way of finding some breathing space. Space to get in touch with yourself, to understand and care for yourself better. Space to come to terms with painful feelings or experiences. Space to gain some clarity and resilience or to make the changes you feel are needed to start living and growing again in the ways that are best for you.
Training, qualifications & experience
I have a PG Diploma in Integrative Relational Counselling and Psychotherapy (Leeds Beckett University). I use a variety of theoretical approaches in my work - Person-centred, TA, Gestalt, Psychodynamic, CBT, CFT, Creative therapies and Solution Focused approaches. As a registered member of the BACP, I abide by its Ethical Framework.
I have many years of experience in enabling people to explore and express themselves, both creatively and for personal development. Before working as a counsellor/psychotherapist, I originally worked in arts education with adults and young people, and later as a qualified complementary therapist using therapeutic touch and energy healing.
I have worked as a counsellor at Bradford University and WomenCentre in Huddersfield. I currently work for Noah’s Ark Centre, both in Halifax and for their outreach service at Valley Medical Centre in Hebden Bridge alongside my private practice. I have also run counselling skills training courses for Calderdale Adult Education for the past 5 years.
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
Fees
£35.00 - £55.00
Free initial in-person or online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Introductory session: 30 - 40 mins - no charge
We will then agree together a fee for subsequent sessions:
Adults: £45 - £55. Concessions/low income £35 - £40 (60mins)
Young people and f/t students aged 16 -25: £35 - 40 (50 or 60 mins)
Please see my website for more info
When I work
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Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 8.30am - 7.30pm
Thursday 8.30am - 2.00pm
Day-time appointments are in-person, by Zoom or phone. Evening appointments are by Zoom or phone only.
Further information
Please be aware that my availability for face to face work is currently in Halifax only. (11/1/24)