Simon Whiteside
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Whatever aspect of life that is troubling you, those thoughts and feelings are saying something needs to change. Counselling can be the helping hand you’re looking for.
I work in-person, online, or via the telephone, one-to-one with adults. I am currently able to offer online or telephone sessions only. I have an inclusive, non-judgemental approach. I am an LGBTQIA+ positive therapist, with extensive experience of working within this client base, as well as other individuals and groups. I work with a variety of issues, including anxiety, depression, family and relational issues, and more complex, trauma based long-term difficulties.
Call or email me for free to discuss your needs and what it is you hope to gain from therapy.
Training, qualifications & experience
I hold a Level 7 Post-Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy (University of Salford); a Level 4 Diploma in the Theory and Practice of Counselling; and a Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills.
I have experience of working with a variety of issues from the mild to complex, including minority stress, gender questioning, sexuality difficulties, and complex trauma. I have extensive experience of working with LGBTQIA+ clients, as well as clients from other contextual backgrounds.
I define my practice as Integrative, meaning I draw upon various modalities and theories to facilitate therapy. My foundational approach is Person-Centred, which offers you the necessary conditions to explore your issues. I walk with you through those difficulties and facilitate a space where you can find your own agency and seek your own solutions.
I also practise Solutions Focussed Therapy and include elements of Psychodynamic Therapy in my work. You will find the empathy and non-judgement you need, but my practice is active not passive. I have a direct, gently challenging style designed to help enable you discover the solutions and changes you seek.
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
£40.00 - £55.00
Free initial telephone or online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Free initial sessions are consultations lasting 10-15 minutes only.
Concessions are available for qualifying individuals - see details below.
Single Sessions & Pre-Paid Packages
Single Session Fees:
- Standard: £55.00 per session
- *Concession: £40.00 per session
Single sessions are payable upon the end of each session via BACS transfer.
1 x session = 1 counselling hour of 50 minutes^
^Clients who require adaptable single session length owing to access requirements can negotiate fees up or down of the standard time in 10 minute increments
Pre-paid Packages:
Save on sessions by purchasing a package in advance
- 6 x sessions = £280 (save £50)
- 12 x sessions = £560 (save £100)
- 16 x sessions = £730 (save £150)
- 20 x sessions = £900 (save £200)
Pre-paid Package prices are offered on the basis of a session equating to 50 minutes. For those requiring adaptable session length on a pre-paid package basis because of accessibility needs, please enquire directly for prices.
Pre-paid Packages are payable in full in advance via BACS transfer.
Refunds, Cancellations, DNAs, Sickness, Holidays, Re-scheduling
For details see the Counselling Contract.
*Concession Details
Concessions are available for:
- Full or part-time students
- Individuals aged 65+ in receipt of a state pension with no other income/low income means
- Individuals in receipt of Universal Credit, Disability Living Allowance, PiP, or Adult Disability Payment
*Applying for concession requires evidence the individual meets the criteria above. Evidence may be a Student ID card and/or letterheaded statement detailing course engagement; a bank statement; letterheaded evidence of receipt of benefit and that this is current.
When I work
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Last appointments for evening sessions are 7pm.
Earliest appointment on Tuesday is 7.30am.
Further information
Accessibility and Adaptability
Everyone works differently according to their needs. I am open to exploring what works best for you. This may look like:
- Shorter, but more frequent sessions (e.g. 2 x 25 minute sessions per week)
- Taking a break in sessions for an agreed period of time and therefore having a session longer than a standard counselling hour (e.g. 60 minutes instead of 50 minutes).
- Being free to use fidget toys to stim, or use stimming behaviours during session
- Using post-its, writing notes, doodling, or drawing/creating art in session to aid focus, engagement, and deepen the therapeutic relationship
- Being able to move around in session to support engagement and focus
Please feel free to discuss with me what requirements you think you may have for our sessions. You can do this at anytime, including once our work has begun.
Pre-Therapy Agreements
Prior to any sessions of therapy beginning, all clients must have read, signed, and returned the Counselling Contract, which details the expectations of both parties. Signing this contract signifies both parties have understood the terms of working and agree to adhere to these boundaries. If clients have any questions regarding aspects of the contract, these can be discussed prior to signing and returning.
