Shirley Mitchell
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
My interest in counselling started when I was working as a therapeutic radiographer at the Middlesex Hospital in London. Doctors would regularly call on me to assist them in talking to cancer patients and their families. I became the bridge between the clinical world of diagnosis and treatment to the human beings on the other side of that news. I found I was able to support the patients and those closest to them at this traumatic time.
I decided that I needed to learn to do this properly and, to that end, I undertook counselling training. I have worked extensively in a number of areas, with couples individuals, groups and families. In addition to working with cancer patients and those affected by other life-changing illnesses, I have experience of working with relationship counselling at Relate including working with abusive relationships. I consider myself a flexible, non-judgmental counsellor who is able to connect with people of any age and background.
I see individuals, couples and families and have more than 25 years experience both in my private practice and in senior roles within counselling charities. I have particular experience in supporting clients through issues caused by relationships, bereavement and life affecting illness e.g. cancer and multiple sclerosis.
People come for counselling when they are feeling vulnerable and need to feel safe and supported talking to their therapist. I endeavour to provide such a space, one in which my clients can express their innermost thoughts and feelings in a confidential and non-judgemental setting.
As a rule, the first session is a two-way assessment. It gives you the opportunity to see whether you feel comfortable with me and able to begin to explore some of the issues which have brought you into counselling. Additionally, it gives both of us the chance to see whether I’m the right person to support you. Following this initial meeting, we decide together how to proceed.
Training, qualifications & experience
Person-centred Counselling, 1990 (Metanoia, 1990)
Couple Counselling, (Relate Certified, 1996)
Individuals, couples and groups Supervision (Relate, 2000)
I am a MBACP Senior Accredited Counsellor
Member organisations
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.
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
Life affecting illness (e.g. Cancer, Multiple Sclerosis)
Therapies offered
Fees
£65.00 - £80.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
£60-£80
When I work
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday daytime and some evening appointments. I also see clients on Sunday mornings.
Further information
While most of my work is done face to face, I do provide telephone and online video sessions.
I also appreciate that not everyone is available during “office hours” so offer out-of-hours and flexible appointments.
