Maxine Freshwater
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This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
About me
Hello, I'm so glad you've found me! I'm a British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy Snr Accredited Counsellor, and I can offer you a safe space online where you can explore whatever might be happening in your life.
I work remotely - sessions with me are via phone or Zoom - many clients find this a much more convenient and comfortable way to work.
I know that embarking on a course of counselling can seem a daunting prospect, but I will do my best to ensure we create a space where you are accepted non-judgmentally, where you can grow, and where you can learn about yourself. Somewhere you'll feel safe to talk about anything at all in complete confidence.
We can all have periods where things aren't going as we'd like - anxiety, depression, stress, low mood, lack of confidence, anger issues, trauma, or just generally feeling sad - these are all things that counselling can help with.
I believe we all have the ability to reach our potential and to live a more meaningful and contented life. You might feel there are barriers or obstacles in your way, or things from your past holding you back, but together we can find a path through. Yes, this definitely requires hard work, but if it's worth having, it's worth working for. I am trained in integrative therapy, which means I can bring many approaches to our sessions, such as CBT, person-centred counselling, and Transactional Analysis.
I have also trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) therapy with EMDR Masterclass - training accredited by EMDR Europe. I am also a member of EMDR UK.
Again, I work online with EMDR, which allows you to be in your safe space at home while you have therapy.
I'm based in the East of England, I have many years experience in providing online therapy - having been an online counsellor while working with an EAP (Employee Assistance Programme), and working as an approved online counsellor for Anxiety UK.
I have experience in:
Private practice, helping clients with many issues including anxiety, stress, depression, loss, life stages, and change management.
NHS and charity organisations.
Volunteering with the Samaritans and CRUSE.
Working for an EAP providing counselling for clients from blue light organisations, government organisations, and the NHS.
Both long-term and short-term therapy.
Training, qualifications & experience
- Higher National Diploma in Integrative Counselling (BACP accredited course)
- Diploma in CBT
- BA (Hons)
- MSc
- Stress Management Practitioner
I have undertaken Continuing Professional Development in:
- Transactional Analysis
- Bereavement Counselling
- Trauma Counselling
- Suicide prevention
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- EMDR Therapy
My experience includes counselling in a cancer charity, working with bereaved clients in the NHS, working for CRUSE. I also have experience of a wide range of issues through my private practice including anxiety, generalised anxiety, anger management, abuse, depression, OCD, addictions, relationship issues, panic attacks, low self-esteem, bereavement, stress, smoking, PTSD. I have worked with clients who have roles in government departments, public services, schools, and the police force. I have been a listener with the Samaritans.
I am a Senior Accredited member of the BACP, and abide by their code of ethics. I adhere to BACP guidelines on supervision and CPD.
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
£50.00 per session
Concessions offered for
When I work
Contact me to discuss
Further information
'I tried counselling in my early 20s, but I found it hard to open up and express my feelings so I just bottled things up and got on with life as best as I could.
I was feeling a bit unsure after my previous experience ... but during my first telephone session with Maxine I was pleasantly surprised to find that after only about 20 minutes of talking, I found I could open up and discuss things that I've not talked about with anyone ever before ... I wish I'd done it years ago!' - Neil
