Stuart Neal
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
COVID-19 Special Arrangements
Because the premises I normally use for counselling sessions are closed due to the pandemic, I have suspended my usual requirement to have conducted at least three face to face sessions with a client prior to working with them online. I am presently offering online counselling via Skype, Zoom and WhatsApp until venues become available again when I will review the situation. Please see my website FAQs for details.
What I offer
I offer both short and long term individual counselling. I have experience working with a range of issues but I have extensive experience of working with clients with addiction/dependency issues and in particular have specialist training in alcolhol misuse and gambling addiction. I have also worked with a wide variety of other issues including self-esteem, bereavement, relationships, anger-management and career counselling.
I trained as a person-centred counsellor but use a more Integrative approach to get the best result for each individual.
I am not a "nodding donkey" counsellor I do not just sit and empathise. Whilst always remembering that the only true expert about you is you, I will work with you to address the issues you want to work on by gently challenging your perceptions and encouraging you to explore alternative approaches - I do this at your pace, free of any judgement and whilst always keeping you safe and supported.
Please see my web site for further details.
Why Labyrinth?
Counselling is a journey.
The end point of the journey, its goal, whatever that is for an individual, can often seem distant and the path to it fraught with many obstacles, false starts and dead ends. Once the journey has begun, it can feel that you are going round in circles or that after travelling a long way you seem close to where you started. You can sometimes feel disoriented or even totally lost. It can seem that the end point has vanished from sight and the path is no longer clear - rather like being in a maze or a labyrinth.
Although commonly used to mean the same thing, a maze and a labyrinth are different in one important respect. A maze has many branches - points at which there are two or more ways forward with no guarantee the one chosen will lead to the desired end. A true labyrinth has only a single, non-branching path that leads to its centre. The route through a labyrinth is convoluted and takes time to traverse. However, with a little effort, patience, determination and support you will eventually get to your goal.
As a counsellor I am not a guide or pilot; I do not know what your labyrinth is like - how its path will change direction or how long it will take to navigate. I will be your companion on your journey along the path to your goal. I will support you throughout that journey, helping you explore your labyrinth and find your way forward; always being with you even when the journey feels difficult, until you reach your destination.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications
Foundation Degree in Counselling (distinction)
Level 2 & 3 Certificates in Counselling Skills
I hold an enhanced DBS (formerly CRB) certificate
Experience
I have extensive experience working with alcohol dependency and undertake both short-term, focused work as well as longer term therapy to address the underlying issues that lead to alcohol dependence. I conduct some of this work in GP surgeries.
I also counsel at Telford Mind where I work with a wider range if issues
Training
Alcohol addiction
Gambling addiction (via GamCare)
Workshops in:
- Reality Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Gestalt Therapy
- Childhood sexual abuse
- Trauma
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 per session
Additional information
£25 for no-obligation, initial consultation thereafter £40 per session.
10-for-9 for longer term counselling (every tenth session at no cost)
£30 per session for Counselling students
I am happy to negotiate reduced rates for anyone who is unwaged.
Please see my web site for further details.
When I work
Currently available most weekdays for online sessions. Sessions available daytime and evening (last appointment 1900-2000).
