Ralph Williamson
Verified Professional
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verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.
MSt (Oxon), PGDip, MBACP
Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.
About me
I am a psychodynamically trained Counsellor and Psychotherapist and work in private practice, alongside my other role as an Anglican priest in Oxfordshire.
I work face to face and online. I have found online therapy effective and practical if face to face meeting is not possible.
I offer a safe and confidential space to explore feelings, emotion and troubling behaviour, without judgement, to gain understanding and to overcome life's challenges. I have experience of working with depression and low self-esteem, relationship issues and breakup, abuse, self-harm, eating disorders, work related issues, trauma, bereavement and loss.
I provide time-limited or open-ended (solution-focussed) counselling with adults of all ages. I am very happy to work with young people, and with couples too. My counselling and psychotherapy is relational and based on attentive listening, creating space for understanding, change and personal growth.
While working as an Anglican priest I saw great emotional need and recognised the effectiveness of counselling, which persuaded me to train as a therapist and counsellor myself. I qualified on the Oxford University MSt programme in 2013, and worked in a local community counselling organisation in Oxford, then in London from 2015. In 2021 I moved to Stonesfield, just north of Oxford, and continue to offer some online and in-person therapy in private practice here.
I have particular respect for cultural difference, and for both the absence and presence of religious belief. In counselling, I do not make reference to spiritual issues unless asked to. My starting point is a deep respect for each person as an individual and a care for real human flourishing.
How does this work?
If you are considering counselling then get in touch and tell me a little about your circumstances. Then we would arrange an initial session. In that session we would aim to identify the key issues which have brought you to therapy and I would explain confidentiality, payment, arrangements for missed sessions and other practical things. If you and I are each happy that this is going to be helpful and you wish to go ahead, we will arrange to meet weekly at the same time.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications
- MSt Psychodynamic Practice (Oxford University)
- Postgraduate Diploma Psychodynamic Practice (Oxford University)
- Postgraduate Certificate Psychodynamic Counselling (Oxford University)
- Previous undergraduate and graduate qualifications in Social Anthropology (LSE) and Theology (Oxford University)
Professional Membership
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) – Registered Member 826840
As a registered member of the BACP I adhere to its Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy and am subject to their Professional Conduct Procedure, which upholds the highest standards of ethical behaviour.
Member organisations
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)
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
Accredited Register Scheme
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
£90.00 per session
When I work
I am very happy to work face to face in Oxfordshire, or online.
Further information
For more information, to discuss any aspect of counselling or to make an appointment, please contact me on 07872040418 or email me.
Testimonial:
I was unsure about seeking counselling during a period of sadness and some objective difficulty, but a series of sessions with Ralph Williamson, quickly became an important haven within my week. Ralph is an enormously insightful and empathetic person; he helped me gain a healthier perspective, which was crucial in re-establishing my well-being. Knowing that someone can help you work through difficult patches is valuable. Finding that person is priceless. I am hugely grateful to the friend who introduced me to Ralph’s counselling practice, which I recommend unhesitatingly.” - Anonymous 2017.
