Shirley Songhurst

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she/her
BA (Hons) MBACP - Olivine Counselling - Integrative

About me

Are you often weighed down with feelings of anxiety? Whether as a result of mental health issues, bereavement, work/social/family environment or all of the above? Is this affecting your ability to connect with people, leaving you with a feeling of isolation or loneliness? Come and talk to me, and we can discuss strategies to enable you to address the core of your issues. The feelings, which can result in the behaviours can be changed with a different way of thinking. Together we can fill your 'toolbox' with strategies that will allow you to be free of your anxious feelings and bring a new understanding of your 'self' to the surface.

Having the courage to seek counselling is the first and biggest step. To be vulnerable is brave, and I welcome your brave self to contact me with the view that we may be a good fit for beginning your counselling journey in the safe and non-judgmental space that I offer. 

Training, qualifications & experience

I volunteered with the Samaritans as a listener for over 17 years, then worked within the funeral industry and then Suffolk Mind for many years before training to become a counsellor.

I have been working within Suffolk Mind for the past 6 years, both as a Counsellor and within their Waves programme as a group facilitator for clients with a diagnosis of, or traits of borderline personality disorder and SNO their evening  emotional support service . I also volunteered with Suffolk Rape Crisis on their telephone support Line and have worked as a bereavement volunteer within CRUSE. I also worked as a sessional counsellor within MTCIC supporting Wellbeing clients via the NHS.

I qualified with a 1st Class Honours Degree in Integrative Counselling from the University of Suffolk. I have also been trained via the Counselling Academy in EMDR 1&2. I regularly attend workshops & CPD training both online and in person.

I am a registered member of the British association of counsellors and psychotherapists, BACP and the NCPS and I have an enhanced DBS.

Member organisations

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

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

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
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 Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Areas of counselling I deal with

Photos & videos

Fees

£50.00 per session

Concessions offered for

  • Trainee counsellors

Health Insurance/EAP

  • Health Assured

Additional information

I offer face to face sessions in Stanton from a cosy air conditioned garden cabin or I can offer online or telephone sessions if preferred..

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Early morning
Morning
Early afternoon
Late afternoon
Evening

Further information

If you would like an initial free 15 minute chat to see if I am the right fit for you then please do not hesitate to give me a call.

Stanton, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, IP31

Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, IP32

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone
Home visits

Types of client

Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)
Groups
Organisations
Employee Assistance Programme

Key details

DBS check

In England and Wales, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, formerly known as CRB) carry out criminal records checks for individuals working with vulnerable groups, such as children. To find out more, visit gov.uk , or contact this professional directly

Wheelchair user access
Wheelchair user access

Wheelchair-accessible premises should have step-free access for wheelchair users and individuals who are unable to climb stairs. If a Counsellor's premises aren't step-free, they may offer alternative services such as telephone/web-based appointments, home visits, or meeting clients in different location, so you can choose the option that suits you best.

You can contact the Counsellor to discuss the options available.

Under the Equality Act 2010 service providers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that individuals with disabilities can access their service. You can read more about reasonable adjustments to help you to access services on the CAB website.

Online platforms

Doxy
Google Meet
Microsoft Teams
Zoom
Whatsapp

Social