Samantha Oliver
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Hello! Welcome to my profile. I've endeavoured to make this space as informative as possible in a quick accessible way to give you a flavour of who I am and how I work.
I'm Sam (or Samantha, I don't mind either), I've worked in the third sector where I supported survivors of sexual abuse and sexual violence in multiple roles such as a counsellor, group facilitator, and assessing client needs. I've also gained experience working in a sexual health clinic that support the LGBTQ+ community - working with a variety of issues and presentations such as GSRD, Disabilities, Neurodiversity, ADHD, Sexual health, Sexual problems, and Gender dysphoria.
Some areas I work with:
- Family issues
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Symptoms of PTSD
- COVID & pandemic (issues brought on since)
- Trauma
- Relationship problems
- Low self-esteem
- ADHD
- Relational trauma
- Narcisstic abuse
- Domestic violence
- Borderline personality disorder
- Dissociation
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Therapy for compulsive sexual behaviour & problematic Pornography
Sessions available for clients who are distressed and adversely affected by compulsive sexual behaviours (formerly known as sex addiction). This could include compulsive masterbating and persistent use of pornography, meeting with sex workers, multiple partners, one night stands, infidelity, sex work. Welcoming both male and female clients. s
Alo extends to partners of people with compulsive sexual behaviours. Please feel free to contact me for more information.
Please feel free to book a free introduction to learn more.
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Get to know me a little more and how I practice...
People often come to therapy when they are feeling at their most vulnerable or distressed, often suffering from anxiety or depression. Usually their normal coping strategies are no longer working and possibly creating more issues. In a space that's non-judgemental and caring you can begin to make sense of the root cause of your issues and create healthier ways to cope with every day stresses whilst understanding your individual needs better.
I have experience working with clients who are feeling sad, hopeless, have suicidal thoughts, suffering from grief and loss, as well as going through life transitions, have suffered abuse and controlling relationships in childhood/adulthood.
I work with my clients collaboratively with a trauma informed framework - this means my clients actively participate in making decisions on how we use our therapy sessions together while I implement and encourage resources to build my clients resilience - which inturn reduces symptomatology and improves quality of life.
My style of counselling will feel highly relational - making you feel comfortable fast; intuitive and eclectic, which means I select different techniques, (ways of working therapeutically) which are best suited to each client's presentations/issues or the clients preference. These may change as we move through sessions and often do. And of course, there are times when words cannot be found to describe feelings, for this reason I may suggest working creatively or draw upon somatic experiencing (information held in the body).
Please feel free to reach out, you're going through a difficult time and it's hard to sometimes understand all of a therapist language. I'm happy to help you make sense of what you're looking for with an initial free assessment.
I have a recent enhanced DBS check (June 2023).
Training, qualifications & experience
Education & Training
- My training was at Staffordshire University, on the Psychotherapeutic Counselling Professional Diploma (2 years). This course taught an integrative approach with a focus on six well established models, such as: Person-centred, CBT, Gestalt, Systemic, Psychodynamic and Attachment Theory. With introductions to many other approaches.
- I have Online Counselling Competencies qualifications.
- Dream Analysis Training (2017)
- I attended Keele University (2014) where I completed my Certificate in Person-Centred Counselling.
Membership
- I'm a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). I adhere to and work within their ethical framework for for the purpose of working to professional standards that helps to build an ethical relationship which is safe.
Ethical framework 2018 https://www.bacp.co.uk/ethical-framework
Areas of interest
- I have a interest in Trauma Theory and Dissociation.
- Compulsive Sexual Behaviours.
Experience:
- Counsellor in primary care - short term counselling.
- Counsellor in Sexual Health - working long term with clients who have sexual issues and LGBTQ+ people.
- Counsellor for survivors of sexual abuse and sexual violence.
- Group facilitator for marginalised minorities.
I'm well supported in all my roles by attending group & clinical supervision on a monthly basis.
Further Training & CPD - 2022/23
- New Guidelines for Pre-trial Therapy of Survivors of Sexual Abuse. Obligations of the therapist.
- Father Wound. Exploring the absent father and the impact.
- Working with Nesting Dolls, Shells and Stones. Creative ways of working that help the client look at the relationship with parts of self and relationships with others.
- Child Safe Guarding level 2.
- Sensorimotor and Body Psychotherapy CPD with Pat Ogden & Ariella Swartz. Body centred approach helpful for trauma and attachment issues.
- Understanding Non-binary Gender Identity - Cics.
- Working With Shame - Carolyn Spring.
Current Training
- Diploma in Compulsive Sexual Behaviour (Sexology).
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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
- Compulsive sexual behaviour
- Sex workers
Photos & videos
Fees
£52.00 - £62.00
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Individual counselling & psychotherapy fees:
£62 face to face sessions.
£52 for online (I can pass you the saving).
I offer an initial free telephone session. This helps me to see whether I can help you and it's also a good chance to see if you like me and my style of counselling. It's especially important that you like your therapist. I'm happy for you to keep an open mind to whether I'm the right counsellor for you. I can also support you in continuing your search if not.
When I work
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I have some availability for online sessions at the weekend.
Hours I work are between 7am and 9pm.
Further information
I offer telephone, online zoom and F2F sessions.
I can provide support on how to access zoom.
