Sharon Parker
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Folks like yourself come to talking therapy for lots of different reasons and many find talking through issues and/or events extremely helpful. Whether you are struggling with social anxiety, feeling sad/depressed, experiencing low self-esteem and confidence, living/working in a dysfunctional and toxic environment, trying to come to terms with gender and/or sexual identity, or perhaps you don’t know why you feel the way you do, you do not need to suffer in silence any longer.
For over 25 years I have gained a great deal of experience working within social care environments and have engaged with a diverse range of people from all walks of life, all unique individuals just like yourself. My personal and professional experiences have given me a deep appreciation of the value of feeling heard and experiencing validation, and the significance of this for positive mental health and well-being.
As a psychotherapist/counsellor qualified to Post-Graduate level, I use a therapeutic approach commonly known as Person-Centred which puts you at the centre of your process of change. I use my therapeutic skills to help you to focus on the issues that really matter to you and at a pace you are most comfortable with.
I am fully committed to working alongside you with patience, sensitivity, compassion and respect. I will create a safe, comfortable and confidential space in which I will gently encourage you to openly express yourself, to explore emotional disturbances so that you can find your own solutions and learn to trust your own judgement.
This process of self-exploration can take time depending upon the issues you bring, and I cannot offer any guarantees (no therapist can) in terms of individual outcomes, but I do pledge to work alongside you without judgement or criticism, to support you towards realising the next chapter in your life.
I am an LGBTQI+ affirmative practitioner and I have volunteered as a counsellor with the LGBT Foundation in Manchester. Wherever you place yourself on the gender and/or sexuality spectrum, you are most welcome!
I currently offer sessions via Zoom, telephone and ‘Walk and Talk’ outdoor therapy (subject to availability/appropriateness), taking place in beautiful public spaces around Didsbury Village, South Manchester.
Reaching out to a therapist for the first time can be daunting, leaving you feeling anxious at the thought of meeting someone new to talk about deeply personal feelings and life experiences. I fully appreciate and understand this apprehension, especially if you don’t feel quite ready but know that you need professional support to get you through a tough time.
To see if we are a good therapy ‘match’ I offer a free, no obligation 20-minute contact via telephone in order for you to get a greater sense of how I work and an opportunity for you to share your thoughts about what is bringing you to therapy and any outcomes you would like to achieve for yourself.
It is my intention that this will provide you with transparency and the information you need to make an informed choice before starting your therapy and you can take all the time you need to make this important decision. Should you decide that I am the right therapist for you, we can then arrange our first session and go from there.
Of course, if you decide I am not the right therapist for you I will completely respect your decision and help you in any way I can to support you in finding a more suitable therapist for your needs.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am an LGBTQI+ affirmative practitioner and have volunteered as a counsellor with the LGBTQI+ Foundation in Manchester. Wherever you place yourself on the gender and/or sexuality spectrum, you are most welcome!
I am a qualified Counsellor/Psychotherapist having successfully completed the University of Salford BACP accredited Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy – Professional Training programme (Level 7).
I am a registered member (MBACP) of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and I adhere fully to the BACP Ethical Framework.
I am a registered member of the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) (Reg.: ZA841786). I handle all client information with great care and due diligence and store all records, both in paper and electronic format, securely in strict accordance with GDPR requirements and ICO guidelines.
I have Enhanced Certification with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and I am fully insured as a Counsellor/Psychotherapist through Holistic Insurance Services.
I am also a Certified Online and Telephone Counselling Practitioner (ACTO member Level 1).
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
£45.00 per session
Free initial telephone session
Additional information
Fees and my availability:
£45 per session for remote (Zoom and/or telephone) or in-person sessions via Walk and Talk therapy (subject to availability/appropriateness) in Didsbury Village, South Manchester.
Fully insured to work nationally/internationally.
When I work
I have flexibility with regards to my schedule so please get in touch for my current availability.
I work remotely via Zoom/telephone and in-person via Walk and Talk therapy.
Further information
Free 20-minute pre-therapy contact:
To see if we are a good therapy ‘match’ I offer a free, no obligation 20-minute contact via telephone in order for you to get a greater sense of how I work and an opportunity for you to share your thoughts about what is bringing you to therapy and any outcomes you would like to achieve for yourself.
It is my intention that this will provide you with transparency and the information you need to make an informed choice before starting your therapy and you can take all the time you need to make this important decision. Should you decide that I am the right therapist for you, we can then arrange our first session and go from there.
I am fully insured to work with clients both nationally and internationally.
