Philippa Hughes
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Hello! I'm Philippa, I'm an integrative counsellor with a special focus on self-criticism, shame and low self-esteem, as well as a passionate advocate for self-compassion. Deciding to seek support, whether you've got previous counselling experience or this is a whole new world for you, is itself an act of self-compassion and courage.
It can feel daunting to reach out for help in a dark or difficult place, and so the heart of my practice is providing a gentle, compassionate and freeing space where all emotions are welcome and you choose your own pace.
I am an integrative practitioner, meaning I combine different tools, models and concepts from different therapeutic approaches to suit each client. I work to the principles of person-centred therapy and deeply respect client autonomy and self-determination. You are the expert on yourself!
My role is to help you explore your thoughts, feelings, life experiences and sense of self in a way that nurtures your internal compassion, curiosity, and openness, as well as to challenge when appropriate. I may provide evidence-based psychoeducation on relevant topics to help you make sense of your experiences and lessen any shame.
Having a positive, compassionate relationship with yourself can provide much-needed stability and relief during life's difficult periods and big changes. Learning how to recognise and work with shame, anxiety, self-criticism, self-judgement and perfectionism when they show up in your life and explore your relationship with them is the foundation of changing your relationship with yourself.
For many of us, having a difficult relationship with ourselves is chronic, rooted in childhood or early experiences, and manifests in conditions such as depression, anxiety or chronic stress. It can be difficult to envision a world where things are different and more peaceful. Counselling may offer a doorway into this new way of being.
I currently work exclusively online over Zoom and have availability now.
Training, qualifications & experience
I have an MSc in Counselling from Bangor University and am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
I have worked with clients with a wide range of presenting difficulties including feelings of depression, low self-esteem and chronic anxiety.
I have further training in bereavement support as well as trauma and the nervous system. I am committed to continuing professional development.
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
Therapies offered
Fees
£55.00 per session
Additional information
I offer concessionary rates for students and trainee counsellors who require therapy as part of their training.
