Veronica Prasad-Woodcock


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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
I am an accredited , highly experienced Counsellor and qualified Supervisor based in Reading. I offer counselling to adults 18+ who are facing difficulties in their lives such as stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, bereavement, depression, sadness, discrimination, cultural or identity issues or other. Whether you are considering counselling because you are struggling now or maybe trying to better understand something in particular in the past or present, talking to a counsellor can be very helpful. A supportive, nurturing, safe and non-judgemental space allows for exploration, discovery and better understanding this can then lead to new or different ways of being in the world . Student counsellors are very welcome.
We are all unique and counselling needs to be reflective of this. Working together on what you feel is relative and most important to you will always be at the core of our sessions. My flexible approach means we can cover deep exploratory work, which may take more time; or we can focus on the here and now which may be more short term. Gaining an insight of how habitual thought patterns may influence behaviour, mood and physical symptoms can lead to better self-awareness and understanding. Alongside this comes empowerment, through embracing your vulnerabilities and accessing your inner resilience.
Over the years I have been fortunate to work and live within a diverse range of communities. The knowledge and experience gained from people coming from all walks of life has given me a deeper understanding of myself and others. I can draw on these insights and my studies to empower my clients to help themselves. I strive to offer a warm and empathetic practice.
My hope is that an authentic, meaningful, trusting and caring relationship will be developed with my clients which will set the foundation for fresh insights, changes and choices.
WHAT TO EXPECT
I work in a person-centred way which means I am led by what is important to you. The therapeutic relationship is a very crucial aspect of counselling and my belief and experience have shown that if this is established in a boundaried setting clients are likely to feel that they can safely explore and express their concerns which will encourage transformation and new or different choices. I will listen sincerely with empathy and with genuine interest and curiosity to you without judgement. If needs be I sometimes draw on tools and techniques from other modalities such as CBT or mindfulness to facilitate understanding and awareness as it is important to have a flexible approach so that the uniqueness of each client is acknowledged and facilitated.
Training, qualifications & experience
- BACP Accredited
- Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (CPCAB) (Level 4)
- Certificate of proficiency (BACP)
- Certificate in Counselling Studies (CPCAB)
- University of Oxford Undergraduate Introduction to Counselling
- BA (Hons) in Humanities
- OCN certificate in Counselling Supervision (Level 5)
I regularly attend Continuing Professional Development (CPD) events which keep me up to date and enhance my Counselling practice , most recent being creative writing in Therapeutic practice and Domestic abuse awareness.
I am an experienced Counsellor and have worked in the voluntary sector both as a counsellor and as a mentor. Charities include Mothertongue (Multi-ethnic counselling and listening service), Time to Talk (young adults), Trust House Reading (working with survivors of childhood sexual abuse), No 5 in Reading and counselled at a sixth form College. Currently I volunteer as an ESOL teacher to refugees and Asylum seekers.
Member organisations
school 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.

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
Cultural identity and cross-cultural issues including feelings of displacement.
I work with adults aged 18 and up.
Menopause and impact on mental health.
A keen interest in existentialism and Philosophy.
Therapies offered
Fees
£60.00 per session
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
The prospect of attending counselling may feel daunting for many reasons. Finding the right Counsellor is a very important first step. I offer as an option, an initial consultation via phone or ZOOM free for up to 30 minutes aimed at those clients that are feeling a bit uncertain about engaging in therapy either with a new Counsellor or for the first time. This session will give you the opportunity to ask questions and to tell me a bit about why you are seeking counselling . I will also be interested to learn a bit about you so I too will ask a few questions. There will be no obligation to commit at this point.
If you decide to pursue Counselling with me, we will agree a suitable day and time. Sessions will be for 50 minutes and will be charged at £60, although some concessions are available.
Please feel free to contact me if you need any further information.
Acceptable forms of payment are cash, or BACS.
When I work
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I have availability on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 9.30 am and 18.00 hrs.
Further information
I practice within easy reach of Reading Station. Parking is available in the nearby Oracle Shopping Centre, on London Street and Saxon Court. There are a number of buses that serve the area.