Mabelle Peñalver
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
“No single event can awaken within us a stranger whose existence we had never suspected. To live is to be slowly born.” Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
We all need to feel heard without feeling judged or told what to do. Being listened to, feeling seen for who we are, can be of great help in times of turmoil.
Counselling is all about listening, sometimes to what is not even being said. As a counsellor I have no agenda except your welfare, development and insight, to help you find the path which best suits you. Crucial to this is developing a trusting, consistent relationship within which we can explore far and wide, whilst remaining safe and contained.
I have always been interested in the stories we tell, both to ourselves and others. The stories and words we use about ourselves can become as solid and unmoveable as concrete, keeping us stuck in a place we no longer recognise; a place which neither suits us, or even want to be in. Counselling can help us find new words, perspectives and ways of seeing ourselves in the world. This facilitates change.
I offer a relational approach within a framework involving equals. I have joined many in finding their own path and continually find new ones opening up for me. My foundation is psychodynamic; however, I am influenced by a number of humanistic philosophies and hold the therapeutic relationship as the bedrock of beneficial counselling.
I am mindful of the holistic approach to therapy, engaging self care and regard, bringing mind and body into greater harmony, leading to clearer thinking and encouraging exploration.
Training, qualifications & experience
Clinical Supervisor (ABC)
MBACP (Accredited)
Level 4 Diploma in Counselling - University of Kent
Certificate in Counselling - University of Kent
Introduction to Counselling - Westminster Pastoral Foundation
BA Comb. Hons. Film, Drama and English - University of Reading
I am a registered and accredited member of the BACP (British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists) and I practice according to the Association's Code of Practice and Ethical Framework. I also offer fully qualified clinical supervision to counsellors and those working within the mental health sector.
My background is in Arts and Media and I use these professional skills in addition to therapeutic training to inform my listening, giving my practice a wide range and depth of reference when exploring issues. I have varied and inclusive experience of cultural difference and feel comfortable working within these areas.This often adds a freshness of viewpoint, leading to counselling which can be seen as highly individual. The evolving respect and trust encourages clients to tackle difficulties and find their own pace and solutions.
I have extensive experience counselling in different settings: private practice, IAPT at GP surgeries, voluntary and private sector, as well as experience being clinical lead for a counselling community service. I work with a wide range of issues including identity, trauma, suicidal thoughts, depression, addictive behaviours, eating disorders, bereavement, low self esteem and many manifestations of psychological difficulties.
I apply and develop my clinical thinking to both personal and professional interests, attending a variety of workshops, lectures and embracing all possibilities which encourage and expand insight of myself and others.
Member organisations
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 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
£60.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I charge £60 per session and offer concessionary rates to trainee counsellors on approved BACP courses. I am always willing to discuss circumstances.
An initial telephone session is offered to discuss and answer any questions you may have about my approach an practice and other practical arrangements.
When I work
Flexibility dependent on availability. I offer phone, Zoom, phone and FaceTime sessions.
