Sophie Barker-Hill
About me
Many of us have periods of uncertainty and confusion in our lives. So the thought of attending or looking for a counsellor can be daunting. It can leave us feeling vulnerable and fragile. You scroll through countless websites, getting yourself into a pickle on sourcing a therapist from a picture or looking at their credentials.
I understand it can feel like a mammoth task! You will find me active within the session - I won’t sit there like a nodding dog, asking “and how does that make you feel?”, I will endeavour to create a safe, non-judgemental space where we can work through some of life’s anxieties and uncertainties you’re facing.
Whilst I have worked with a number of issues. I focus on working with survivors and their family members who have endured or been affected by sexual abuse.
Within my own practice i work with many concerns such as;
- Depression/anxiety.
- Relational issues.
- Loss/bereavement.
- Trauma.
- M.E/CFS.
- Bullying.
- Bereavement
- Work burn out
Building a sound therapeutic relationship is key to how I practice. Through allowing me to journey along side you I believe that we can discover more about you and this can be hugely healing in itself. I will work at your pace and most importantly the sessions are all about you. I can dedicate an hour weekly or fortnightly just for you.
I am a big believer in keeping up to date within the therapy field and attend regular courses and involve myself in Continued Professional Development. (CPD).
I also run workshops on anxiety, stress and depression.
I have both an independent office space but can also offer remote working via online means such as telephone, video call or email based therapy.
Training, qualifications & experience
- BSc Hon Degree in Therapeutic Counselling
- Diploma in Counselling & Psychotherapy
- Higher Education Certificate in Interpersonal and Counselling Skills
- Certificate in Therapeutic Counselling Skills
- Certificate in issues surrounded with sexual abuse
- Introduction to mindfulness.
I have several years experience working alongside male & female survivors and their family members who have been affected by sexual violence and abuse.
I work with a range of client concerns from stress, depression & anxiety to work related stress, relationship and other concerns that can affect us daily.
As well as running my own practice I work with an organisation that solely provides a counselling service for both survivors & their family members go on-going and historical sexual abuse. I work with men and women within this organisation from the ages of 16+
I am also experienced in working with clients and the carers of family members who have Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E)/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Fibromyalgia.
Member organisations
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
BACP is one of the UK’s largest professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy. Therapists registered with the Association fall into a number of different membership categories such as Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP and Registered Member MBACP (Accred), each standing for different levels of training and experience. MBACP (Accred) and MBACP (Snr Accred) members have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by the Association.
Registered members can be found on the BACP Register, which was the first register to achieve Accredited Voluntary Register status issued by the Professional Standards Authority. Individual Members will have completed an appropriate counselling and/or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but will not appear on the BACP Register until they've progressed to Registered Member MBACP status.
All members are bound by a Code of Ethics & Practice and a Complaints Procedure. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Accredited register membership
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.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Hi work with both male & female survivors and their family members who have been affected by sexual abuse and violence.
Therapies offered
Fees
Assessment
The assessment costs £25 and lasts approximately 60 minutes.
Counselling sessions
DUE TO THE CURRENT CLIMATE I AM ABLE TO OFFER REDUCED RATES FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN FURLOUGHED OR WHO ARE IN RECEIPT OF SOME BENEFITS. Please enquire for further information.
Counselling sessions cost £40 per 50-55 minutes.
To secure your place I require payment one week in front.
Block bookings of 6 sessions receive a 10% discount.
Payments need to be paid in full at the end of each session.
Methods of payment include; cash, PayPal, debit card, BACS transfer
Further information
I have regular training and supervision to keep me in-line with the British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy's (BACP) ethical framework and to continue my development as a practitioner.
Assessment
The assessment process aims to decide if it would be useful for you to have counselling sessions and if not, what type of psychological help, if any, would be more suited to you.
Before we embark in counselling. I would ask that you come for an assessment to see whether we both feel we could work therapeutically together. If one of us feels that we are not compatible, then I can signpost you to other therapists or organisations.
During the assessment time I may start by taking a history of the trouble you are experiencing. There will be some forms to fill out regarding personal information such as name, age, gender identification, relationship history, GP details etc. This information helps me to make an initial assessment of your circumstances
We will also discuss what times and days would be easier for you to attend counselling and talk about whether you feel you are ready and committed to undergo the counselling process. I will go over the contract with you and discuss the frequency of sessions you will have and the fees that you will pay.
You may find it helpful to prepare and write down your reasons for seeking help at this time. This will help you describe your feelings to me and make you feel a little more comfortable on our first meeting.
