Shelley Williams

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UKCP Psychotherapist and Counsellor
Accepting new clients
Accepting new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

location_on West Wickham BR4 & Bromley BR2
Accepting new clients
Accepting new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

My approach is warm, relational and non-judgemental. I work with a broad range of issues, including anxiety, depression, family and relationship issues, bereavement and trauma. Whatever brings you to seek counselling now, through exploring with you what is happening, and how you are feeling, in the context of your own unique life story, I aim to help you work through what is deeply troubling you. This may mean helping you to work through some difficult and painful experiences and feelings, and so I am mindful of your needs and will be guided by you. I aim to provide a confidential space for discovery without imposing any pre-determined assumptions, supporting you to use your therapy at your own pace.


Psychodynamic psychotherapy
Even when our distress has clear links to present circumstances, the roots and depth of our distress may connect, unconsciously, to earlier losses, relationships and experiences. The ways that we learned to cope with distress and conflict in the past may be less helpful to us now. To use a metaphor, if we realise we are travelling around the world using an ancient map, it will make more sense to us why we are lost when we discover that the borders and place names have changed. Through the therapeutic relationship, psychotherapy can help us to notice when our relational maps are out of date and to redraw our internal maps to better represent the here and now, enabling us to find inner resources, to develop healthier relationships with ourselves and with others, and liberating us to live a more fulfilling life in the present.


Not all that lurks in the shadows is a menace
Just as a novelist might switch character perspectives to introduce a new way for the reader to interpret the unfolding narrative, working with a therapist can help to uncover new perspectives on your experiences and relationships. Through therapy, you may begin to feel understood in new ways, find new meaning, and come to know aspects of yourself that have previously remained outside of your awareness. It is not unusual to feel anxious that you might discover troubling aspects about yourself, and your significant relationships, through therapy. However, given oxygen, these forgotten aspects of ourselves can become less menacing and, even, serve to strengthen our character. We may also be surprised to discover positive aspects of ourselves that we have been busily attributing to others around us and have failed to notice in ourselves.



"The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are." C.G. Jung


What next?

An initial meeting will give us the opportunity to decide whether I am the right person for you at this time and will enable me to assess how to best meet your needs. Many people find this first experience of being listened to, without judgment, therapeutic in itself. If you would like to talk in confidence, please feel welcome to get in touch by email or phone.

Training, qualifications & experience

Experience:

I am an experienced, accredited psychodynamic psychotherapist and counsellor, registered with the UKCP and the British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC). Since 2000, I have worked with adults, children, adolescents and families through various roles within charities and local authorities, including working within a multi-agency team with children (aged 10-17) and their families at risk of family breakdown. I have been practising as an Adult Psychotherapist since 2013, working within the clinic at WPF Therapy, the NHS and private practice, and I have clinical experience working with a broad range of issues.

Qualifications and training:

  • Postgraduate Diploma in Psychodynamic Theory and Practice, Distinction (University of Roehampton, 2016)
  • Qualification in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (WPF Therapy, 2016)
  • Lambeth Safeguarding Children Board training (2010-2011)
  • WPF Certificate in Counselling (2004)
  • BSc (Hons) Psychology (1999)

Post-qualification training includes:

  • Transitions: Adolescence into adulthood - Working with 18-25 year-olds (The SAP, 2019)
  • Foundations of Analytical Psychology: Jungian and Post-Jungian Concepts (The SAP, 2017)
  • Certificate in Clinical Assessment (The SAP, 2016)

I keep abreast of current thinking and I am actively engaged in, and committed to, professional development and ethical practice.

I am a registered member of the British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC reg. 21288), The Foundation for Psychotherapy and Counselling (FPC; graduate body of WPF Therapy) and the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP reg. 2011169315).

Member organisations

school Registered / Accredited

Registered / Accredited

Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.

BPC
British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC)

The British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC) is a professional association, representing the profession of psychoanalytic psychotherapy.

The organisation is itself made up of fourteen member organisations and BPC accredits the trainings of its member organisations. An individual who qualifies from one of these trainings is then eligible for entry into the BPC's register.

BPC registrants are governed by a code of ethics, a policy of continuing professional development, a statement on confidentiality and a complaints procedure. The BPC is a Member Society of the European Federation for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy in the Public Sector (EFPP). Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.

UKCP
UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)

The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.

As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.

UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.

Accredited register membership

British Psychoanalytic Council
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.

British Psychoanalytic Council

Areas of counselling I deal with

Therapies offered

Fees

£75.00 - £90.00

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

Please enquire for current availability.

West Wickham, Kent, BR4

Hayes, Bromley, Kent, BR2

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Types of client

Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)

Online platforms

Zoom