Sophie Symons
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Is counselling for you?
Maybe you're going through a breakup, a bereavement, or stress at work. Maybe you finally feel ready to deal with a trauma from years past. Maybe you're struggling with depression or anxiety. Or maybe there's nothing really wrong, but life feels like something to be endured rather than enjoyed. Whatever it is, counselling can help.
I've struggled with mental health issues myself and I know how daunting it can be to admit there's a problem and ask for help. But if you're willing to put the work in, counselling can help you cope with a difficult situation or make changes in your life.
What kind of counsellor am I?
I offer person-centred counselling. I'd be happy to explain more about what this means, and discuss whether this is right for you, in a short initial phone call, or give you some information by email. Essentially, though, I believe that we all see the world very differently, and have different experiences and values, but most of us are instinctively trying to do our best, and be the best versions of ourselves. Sometimes life gets in the way of that, and we need a bit of help to get back in touch with ourselves, trust ourselves again, and find the answers that are within us.
I'm a trained counsellor, but I'm not the expert on you, and I don't have all the answers. But I will care about you, listen to you, and support you in figuring things out. I can't do the work for you, but I can do it with you.
What will counselling with me be like?
What that work will look like is a bit different for every client. Some clients are going through something very painful and need a space where it's OK to be sad, angry, or overwhelmed. I can give them a space where it's safe to express those feelings. With other clients, things are a little more lighthearted and there can be room for a bit of humour. Some of my clients want to just turn up each time and see what spills out, whereas others like to come with a plan for every session. Your hour with me is your time, and it's up to you.
Training, qualifications & experience
What's my background?
I have a Masters in Clinical Counselling from the University of Chester. I've also undertaken training in other areas such as online and telephone counselling, solution-focussed brief therapy, and trauma-focussed therapy. I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and abide by their ethical framework.
Before going into private practice, I worked for nearly four years at a counselling charity offering free and low-cost counselling to members of the community. I also volunteered as a Listener for the Samaritans.
I am DBS checked and have professional indemnity insurance.
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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
If you're struggling with an issue not mentioned above, please still feel free to reach out to me as I may be able to help anyway, or to refer you to someone else with more specialised knowledge.
Therapies offered
Fees
£50.00 - £60.00
Free initial telephone or online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Sessions are £50 (online/phone) or £60 (face-to-face) per 50 minutes. I offer a free of charge initial 15-minute chat to see if counselling with me is right for you.
I have a limited number of reduced-price slots for those on low/no incomes; please contact me for further details.
When I work
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Further information
I'm currently offering counselling to UK-based clients over 18. I can offer counselling by phone, online, or face-to-face at my premises in Macclesfield.
Please give me a call or drop me an email, and we can book in for a free 15-minute chat to see if counselling with me is right for you.
