Samantha Summerscales
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Hello there. My name is Sam and I am a qualified counsellor/therapist with my own private practice in Hastings. I have been working with clients for 12 years. I see clients via Zoom or telephone as well as in person.
In my private practice I see clients with a broad range of issues such as anxiety, depression, grief/loss, relationship difficulties, abuse, sexual abuse, childhood issues, suicidal thoughts, trauma, low confidence and self-esteem
Other experience includes 5 years working with a local counselling charity seeing clients with lots of different issues on a 1-1 basis and running well-being groups. Working with Cruse Bereavement charity as a bereavement volunteer.
I also have completed further training in and work with clients who have specifically experienced trauma and sexual assault as well as clients who have either attempted suicide or are struggling with suicidal thoughts. I am also trained and experienced in working with bereavement and loss.
I continue to be curious about other models of therapy as well as newer findings in the world of therapy and how they impact our mental health such as neuroscience, mindfulness and the role our nervous system plays in our experiences. I have recently finished some training in Polyvagal Therapy which is about getting to know and working with our nervous system. Paying attention to the felt experience in our body and exploring how we might help ourselves feel safer in the world.
Life can be challenging and distressing sometimes, and it can be difficult to know how to cope or manage difficult feelings. Counselling provides a space for you to talk things through with someone who is objective and non-judgemental. As a qualified counsellor I am trained to help you recognise and unravel what is going on for you. I can offer a safe and confidential space in which to explore what is troubling you. I believe that the client and counsellor working relationship is at the heart of successful therapy.
Although we can have similar experiences e.g. anxiety, relationship difficulties, abuse etc we all cope and react in our own unique way. So my way of working with each client is as different and unique as the person themselves. Please visit my website to find out more about me (www.samcounselling.me).
Beginning counselling can be daunting. I hope to give you enough information here so that you feel more informed and able to contact me for an informal conversation to discuss your situation or to make an initial assessment appointment and, you can also visit my website for further information or contact me.
Initial Appointment:
An initial assessment appointment is up to half hour appointment and free of charge. It is an opportunity for us to meet before deciding whether counselling with me is right for you and whether I'm the right counsellor to help you and we can go from there.
Training, qualifications & experience
I trained at Wealden College of Counselling and Psychotherapy and was awarded a Diploma in Humanistic Integrative Counselling.
I have recently completed training in Polyvagal Therapy
I have also completed further training in bereavement, trauma, sexual assault and suicide.
I have worked for a national bereavement charity and hold a certificate in bereavement counselling.
I have previously worked for a charity counselling service for 5 years where i ran a group and saw people on a 1-1 basis.
I have also worked with the Princes' Trust and a charity for single mother's as a mentor.
I continue with ongoing professional development training to help to best help my clients.
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
£50.00 per session
Free initial in-person, telephone or online session
Additional information
The initial consultation up to 30 minutes is free of charge
Thereafter, £50 per session 1:1 counselling (50 minutes)
I work via zoom, telephone and in-person
I work with individuals aged 16yrs upwards
When I work
I don't work Fridays
Further information
I offer daytime and early evening appointments.
There is free on-street parking and a bus stop approximately 5-10 minutes walk away.
I am a member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) and I hold professional insurance.
If you wish to find out more about integrative counselling please visit the BACP's website http:/www.itsgoodtotalk.org.uk or feel free to contact me to discuss your situation further.