Penny Sofroniou-Izzard
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Stressed out and depressed?
Feel like nobody understands?
Embarrassed or ashamed about your struggles?
I'm Penny, a professionally accredited counsellor who has spend the last 10 years helping people get to the root of what is causing their problems, and supporting them in finding ways to change their lives for the better.
- Why should I bother? Our mental health is just as important as our physical health. When your mental health is suffering, you can reach out to a professional counsellor who can help you get through it.
- But it's not that bad… Therapy doesn’t have to be something you only turn to when things are reaching breaking point; it can be really helpful to have as part of your wider support network that can help you feel more resilient to every day stresses (like an extra safety net).
- What can I expect? We can have an initial session where we discuss what you're struggling with and what you'd like to work towards. If you feel that goes well, we can discuss how many sessions you would like going forward.
- Will it help? Exploring your thoughts and feelings with me in a confidential, calm and non-judgemental environment can help to bring about a change within you. It’s quite common to gain a sense of relief, knowing you have a place to express your innermost thoughts to compassionate ears. By the end of our journey together, you may feel a deeper sense of understanding and acceptance within yourself.
If you choose me as your counsellor, you can expect our sessions to be a calm and confidential space to explore the things that are troubling you. Through our sessions you can hope to gain some understanding, clarity and insight to yourself and your issues.
Training, qualifications & experience
Training
With a combined 9 years of training/study in Psychology and Counselling, I'm qualified as an integrative counsellor and an accredited professional registrant of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS).
I believe that everyone has the ability to grow and fulfil their potential; I am there to support this process by genuinely striving to understand each person’s experiences with a non-judgemental perspective.
I also feel that our past experiences have an impact on our present situations, and aim to uncover these patterns through exploration and discussion. It's also important to know that sometimes our thoughts and perceptions of events can affect our feelings and behaviour.
I have successfully delivered long term play therapy (Place2be) sessions to primary school aged children and spent 2 years as part of the The BRIT school Counselling team (14- 18 years old) seeing staff and pupils.
Alongside my private practice, I also work as a Specialist Mentor to university students.
Experience
During my psychology degree I studied in depth around common and complex mental health issues, and of the different types of talking treatments available. I was fascinated by it and knew my dream was to become a qualified counsellor.
Since 2014 I have been effectively working with adult clients in various settings (e.g. medical practices and charity organisations), accumulating over 2,500 hours experience of delivering therapy sessions. Between 2016-2019 I successfully delivered counselling to children & adolescents within the school setting.
Qualifications
- Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (QCF) (EQF Level 5) (CPCAB)
- Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies (CPCAB)
- Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills (CPCAB)
- Bsc (hons) Psychology - 2:1 (BPS)
Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
As part of my profession, I am expected to be continuously seeking out new learning opportunities that maintain, improve and broaden my knowledge and skills as a counsellor. My training was adult focused, and since qualifying I have broadened my knowledge and skills to include counselling in schools, as well as striving to be trauma and LGBTQIA+ informed.
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.
The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society
This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations.
In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
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
Photos & videos
Fees
£60.00 per session
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
£60 per 50 minute face to face/online session
£30 Cancellation/Non-attendance fee
When I work
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Further information
**Please note: my counselling space is not suitable for those with cat allergies**
I offer short term therapy (6-8 sessions) and long term therapy (12-16 sessions, open-ended), both face to face in Wickford and online.
Having online counselling cuts out the stress of commuting to a session and allows more flexibility for session time availability. If home is your safe space, having online counselling can help you to feel more at ease during sessions.
If you would like more information about working with me, please feel free to get in touch. We'll usually arrange to have a 10 minute phone call to see if we can work together to help you feel better.
If you're still deciding, feel free to check out my website for more info on how I can help.
Accredited Professional Registrant of the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society, NCS18-07377
