About me
Hello, my name is Tom Bailey. All therapists work differently. This is the way that I work.
I am working face-to-face, with both new and existing clients. This is fundamental, in terms of establishing - and maintaining - a supportive, therapeutic relationship. If you feel unable to work face-to-face right now, please give me a call and I will happily discuss telephone or Zoom options.
After you have made contact, we can arrange an introductory session. This is the chance for us to discuss your issues and background. It allows us to get to know each other a little. This session lasts for fifty minutes and is free of charge. At the session's end, we will have a good idea as to whether we might work well together. Usually, I am able to facilitate this session within a few days of you making contact with me.
Perhaps your main issue is loneliness. Perhaps anxiety, or depression. You have experienced trauma. You are finding the current situation very painful. Perhaps your life seems meaningless. Perhaps you feel stuck. Your relationships are difficult. Or, you may not be able to name your issue. You just know that something is wrong.
My job will be to listen very carefully to what you are telling me. It will also be to hear what you are not saying. Suppressing what is most painful, shameful, or inconvenient to our self image, is a part of our development as human beings.
"Hearing" what you are not saying will be at the heart of our work. This work is hard, and it takes time. Over the period of our work, as our therapeutic relationship develops, I will get to know and to understand you better. Your self-knowledge will also increase.
When you know yourself, you become empowered to change your life. This empowerment is a therapeutic goal. The life change will be up to you.
Specialisms: unresolved childhood issues; addictions and destructive habits; problematic relationships, of all kinds; trauma.
Training, qualifications & experience
I hold accredited diplomas in Counselling (distinction) and Hypnotherapy (distinction). I also have a BA in Philosophy from the University of Essex and MA in Creative writing from the University of Manchester.
The current crisis has heightened my awareness of human suffering and provided me with invaluable experience, as I continue my work.
I am committed to continuous professional development and seek to improve all the time. Recent training topics include: "Doubt and Suspicion in Therapy", "Existential Therapy" and Jacques Lacan. Further reading is integral to my work as a therapist: Teri Quatman, Irvin Yalom and Ernesto Spinelli are some writers I admire.
I have run my own successful and expanding private practice in Chorlton, Manchester since 2012. Prior to qualifying as a therapist, I worked in mental health units, detox centres and rehabs.
Member organisations
Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.

National Counselling Society
The National Counselling Society
This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations.
In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. 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
Client issues in (any) relationship are central to my work: friends, colleagues, bosses, siblings, parents. Unresolved childhood issues are a specialism.
The crisis is highlighting stresses and difficulties within family relations. I am adept at helping clients work through - and improve - these relationships.
Hypnotherapy can be employed over a short period - typically between two and six sessions - for behavioral issues, such as smoking or eating unhealthily. Hypnotherapy can also be used, in conjunction with psychotherapy or counselling, over longer periods.
Therapies offered
Fees
50 minute initial consultation @ free of charge.
1 hour session @ £50
1 hour concession, for those on low wages @ £25
1 hour session for those currently without work: ring or text me and we can discuss this.
Concessions offered for
Further information
I am working through the current crisis with my existing clients. I am also taking on new clients right now. Additionally, I am a qualified and experienced hypnotherapist.