Nicola Griffiths - Counsellor

Training, qualifications & experience

Training

• Family Law - Divorce & Financial Implications, Children Law update, Domestic violence law update, Alternative dispute resolution by The Eaves and Pennington Manches Cooper Family Team - 24th October 2019.
• Mental Health and the body: Treating Trauma PODS training 12th October 2019
• An Introduction to Working with Eating Disorders by Dr Lucy Hale - 21st September 2019
• Food – More than just a fuel for the brain! Presented by Orla Stone Dietician - 8th June 2019
• Evidence-based psychological treatments for trauma - a cognitive approach to PTSD and complex grief Trauma Michael Duffy examines PTSD with a special emphasis on trauma linked to conflict and terrorism and current recommendations for the treatment of PTSD -12th March 2019 - BACP Webinar
• Loss: What does life mean for me now? - October 2018 - BACP Webinar
• Post natal mental illness - Dr Jo Gee 29th September 2018 - The Eaves
• Focus on Survivors Conference 24th July 2018 - University of Suffolk
• BACP Research conference - Counselling changes lives: research that impacts practice 11th 12th May 2018
• Dissociative Identity Disorder: The Fundamentals - 13th October 2017 - PODS
• Identity: can you tell me who I am - 23rd September 2017 - BACP webinar
• Working with Relational Trauma - 24th March 2017 - PODS
• Supporting Refugee Survivors - 6th March 2017 - SARSAS
• Vicarious Trauma - 17th October 2016 - SARSAS
• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training - 2nd 3rd March 2016 - Living Works
• Autism Awareness Course - Somerset skills and Learning Programme 2016
• Trauma , Dissociation and Recovery - 27th November 2015 - PODS
• Working with Sexualised Trauma - 7th February 2015 - Zoe Lodrick
• Adolescent Development & Substance Misuse - 16th January 2013 - Freespace
• Safeguarding Adolescents - 21st 22nd June 2010

Qualification

• Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling level 4 2016
• Certificate in Counselling level 2 2014
• Art Therapy Foundation Course 2006
• BA Hons in Applied Social Studies 1998
• Diploma in Social Work 1997
• Diploma in Nursery Nursing 1988

Work Experience

• Private practice Farnham
• PAM ASSIST EAP Organisation - Glastonbury / Wells
• Private practice - Glastonbury /Wells
• Support worker with people who have experienced rape and sexual abuse
• Counsellor at Elim Connect - Wells
• Counsellor at Truro Young Womens Centre -Truro
• Social Worker at 16 + Team - Bodmin
• Counsellor at Jigsaw Project - Truro
• Social Worker at Children and families Team - Plymouth
• Social Worker at Children with Disabilities Team - Wandsworth
• Project Worker at Barnardos with Families in Temporary Accommodation - London Bridge
• Social Work Assistant at Children and Families Team - Kingston
• Family Support Worker at Alpha Road Family Centre - Surbiton

Other areas of counselling I deal with

• Women
• Young people 16 years upwards
• Men
• Childhood abuse
• Care leavers

Further information

Testimonials

“Nicola was very supportive from having my 1st session. She made me feel very comfortable and relaxed. In order that I could speak freely about the trauma I experienced. There was a lot I needed to talk about (including tears).  Nicola was kind, understanding and helped me deal with my irrational thoughts and emotions and helped me put things into perspective. She also helped me with my career.

Yes I would definitely recommend Nicola and if I ever need counselling again I would contact Nicola. Thank you for helping me through a bad period in my life.!!” Anon

"Since working with Nicola I have come off my anxiety meds, I can look at my life with a different perspective, I am more positive" Anon

"I felt at ease, gave me things to think about before the next session and work on, motivated me to get things done which may be causing me stress, helped with confidence. An hour seems to go so quick which is a good thing because I am encouraged to talk and I am getting my feelings out" Anon

"Being able to tell you things that have bothered me for many years, the difference it's made is unbelievable. Also being told certain things are not my fault, family and friends always say that but to hear it from Nicola was more helpful than I could ever of imagined. Nicola is so easy to talk to doesn't judge. For the first time in years my head isn't full of negative thoughts. Thank you" TH

"This (counselling) has been my sanctuary" SH

'Nicola was really good at listening and didn't interrupt much, which I found better compared to a lot of other counsellors I've been to who don't just let me rant - which is kind of the whole point of paying money to speak to someone. She also managed to backtrack into my childhood without being condescending or going off topic, which was really good. All of her advice just genuinely felt really relevant. Actually felt like I was getting a personal delivery of service' CS

Nothing unhelpful. Really good lady. :) CS

'I liked how it didn't feel too formal as it made it easier to just talk openly and properly indulge in my own thoughts' CS

'I really feel like you are the only person who has really been able to listen to me. I have told you things I've never been able to open up about. I appreciate these sessions so much' NM

Nicola's counselling is 'stunning' LS

'I feel the most empowered I have ever been in my life' DA

'These sessions have been priceless' AM

'After the session I am calmer, no panic attacks and no flashbacks' MB

'That suggestion of using smells really worked. I used lavender to calm me and less caffeine' MB

'Everyone's noticed I'm calmer' MB

'It's REALLY good I can have more sessions' EF

'These conversations have really helped' EF

'These sessions help me process memories'EF

'These sessions have been so helpful and I have begun to understand why I still felt guilty when logically I knew it was not my fault' NM