Naomi Kefford
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
I work with areas such as anxiety, depression or sleep difficulties in a variety of ways. I endeavour to find the best way of meeting the needs of clients. I offer empathic and non-judgemental listening in a safe space, allowing clients to explore what is going on for them. I also offer more proactive, solution focused ways of encouraging self-support and strategies.
I have many years of experience working with bereavement, and I am increasingly aware that ‘loss’ occurs in many different ways.
When people suffer relationship break-ups, divorce, career changes, retirement, empty nests, illness and disability to name a few, there can be similar feelings of hopelessness, loss of identity, loss of purpose and future. Put simply: “This is not how it was meant to be!”. The recent COVID 19 pandemic has also produced many grief responses, as we have had to adapt to a new way of life, and suffered losses of freedom, finance, confidence and connections, as well as the loss of loved ones and perhaps the chance to say goodbye.
I have worked with a full range of adults, both individually and in groups, from young to more elderly. I am aware that depression, anxiety, confusion and lack of direction can occur at any age and any time of life.
I have a particular interest in relationships, both past and present. Our relationship difficulties can affect confidence and happiness, and can be present within families, friendships and in the workplace. I offer a space to explore these challenges, whether working with the bereaved, with people struggling with their relationships, or with couples that would like a neutral space to explore their relationship difficulties together.
My background in teaching has given me an increased insight into the demands of family life, the pressures and stress that supporting children can bring, and the strains this can put on relationships.
I work with clients for varying lengths of time, and am guided by clients’ wishes. Short term work of about two or three sessions might be all someone requires or wants. Some people like to have a set of sessions for slightly longer, perhaps six to twelve. I am also experienced with longer term work of a year or more. With regular reviews, we can work out together what will work best for you. I see my role as being alongside a client for ‘part of their journey’, for as long as they find the work useful and supportive.
Training, qualifications & experience
My formal qualifications are a Diploma in Counselling and a Masters in Psychology. I am a registered member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy).
I have worked with Cruse Bereavement Care for over 13 years, offering support to bereaved people, and as a supervisor and trainer. I work with individuals and I facilitate support groups.
I work as a counsellor in a charity counselling agency, which offers both long and short term therapy, and I worked as a counsellor at the Centre for Wellbeing at the University of Surrey, which offers shorter term therapy to students and staff.
I have training in working with sudden and traumatic death, clients affected by suicide and couples' counselling.
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
Fees
£60.00 per session
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Individuals £60 per session (50 mins)
Couples £85 per 60 minute session, £120 per 90 minute session
I offer a reduced price for a first session at £45 with no obligation. I offer a reduced price for couples first session also. Payment is by cash, cheque or bank transfer (if set up prior to the session), all payable on the day of the session.
When I work
Weekdays and evenings. Weekend appointments are available.
Further information
Very happy to have a chat on the phone to see if I am the right counsellor for you - no cost and with no obligation. I can also talk through how counselling via the phone or Zoom is working during the COVID 19 pandemic. I can honestly say, it is working better than one might think, and the work is just as effective and connected. It really does work!
