About me
Hi, I'm Vicki and I am an integrative counsellor and supervisor with 10 years experience. Working with both men and women, I offer a professional, supportive, warm and confidential space for individual counselling and supervision sessions, within Widnes and the surrounding areas and I can also accommodate home visits.
How can counselling help:
Finding the right support for you can make all the difference and as an integrative counsellor I don’t believe in one size fits all, and I will adapt my way of working to meet your individual needs. You will always be greeted with my warmth and friendly smile and humanistic approach.
Sometimes it can be hard to see the wood for the trees and at any point in your lives, you can feel overwhelmed by your thoughts and feelings. So whether you are managing anxiety or stress, navigating a major life transition or simply seeking a supportive sounding board, I am here to walk alongside you every step of the way. Below are some of the other life experiences that I can support you with: Low mood or depression, low confidence or low self-esteem. Grief or loss, work-related issues, life’s challenges past or current, feelings of being stuck or an uncertainty about life. Negative thinking or breaking negative patterns of behaviour.
As a professional counsellor I will offer a safe space for you to explore your experiences at a pace comfortable for you. You will be accepted, heard and understood and, together we will navigate life's challenges, uncover your strengths and ultimately, work towards a meaningful change.
Getting to know me:
When I’m not a counsellor or supervisor. I am a wife and mum of 2 and mummy to Bear my dog and Speedy my tortoise. I am living with chronic illnesses everyday, Endometriosis, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) and Diabetes. And I understand just how hard it can be to live with these conditions. I love all things pink and glittery and my favourite time is being with my family and lunching with friends.
Before I became a counsellor I spent time serving in the Royal Navy on board HMS Alderney which I absolutely loved being a part of. Upon leaving I worked with young children across various establishments and I completed 400+ hours volunteering as a support worker. I then hit a bump in the road, and in my most darkest of times I sought counselling for support.
Accessing counselling to understand my own difficult life experiences and working through my past traumas, depression and anxieties, amongst other things. Having an understanding just how difficult it was making sense of my thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Counselling supported me in making positive changes and gaining insight into myself awareness.
Attending to my own needs, gave me a drive, a realisation of how passionate I was about becoming a counsellor. Inspiring me to support you through your very own life struggles and dark times. Counselling literally changed my life and it was from this I embarked on my journey to becoming a qualified counsellor and supervisor.
My experience:
As well as running my private practice as a counsellor and supervisor, gaining lots of experience supporting both men and women with various life struggles and experiences. Such as: Anxiety, depression and low mood, grief and loss, low confidence and self-esteem, feelings of being stuck with life or lost, past experiences, stress and worry, work-related problems, overcoming negative thoughts, feelings and challenging behaviours.
I currently work as the Office Manager and Therapist of a private clinical practice. Overseeing various projects and supporting other therapists currently completing some freelance work with us, I am also the designated safeguarding Lead. I am also a freelance therapist to 2 major EAP’s working with adults up and down the country.
I have also gained 10 years experience working for a mental health charity Mind as the counselling lead and therapist, successfully managing around 30 counsellors both qualified and students. As well as gaining more experience supporting adults with various life difficulties with a focus on men's mental health. While at Mind I delivered various courses to groups, organisations and businesses within the local community. And I currently attend the health and social department at our local College speaking to groups of students about my journey of hope and my struggles with mental health.
I am always amazed at the strength and courage my clients have when taking the first steps into counselling, to being vulnerable and trusting me with your innermost thoughts and feelings and being there myself I understand just how hard the first step can be, but it can be worth it. I feel honoured and extremely privileged to be here to support you in creating changes in your lives for the better, while witnessing your personal growth through our time together.
Deciding to seek counselling and confront the challenges you’re facing is a significant and courageous first step. In taking this first step it is perfectly normal to feel anxious, and knowing what to expect from your counselling session may help you feel more prepared and less nervous about your first appointment.
What to expect in your first session:
Whether you contact me by phone, email, social media or a directory the first thing we’ll do is have a FREE telephone consultation, where we will discuss your specific needs and arrange your first appointment. Within a safe and welcoming environment, during your first session we’ll go through a contract, confidentiality and I will also be gaining more of an understanding of your needs. Your first session is also an opportunity to see what it feels like to work together and at the end of your session, you can decide whether to commit to more sessions, leave it there or you may go away and think about it for a few days.
What to expect from counselling:
During our time together I will work warmly and sensitively in a non-directive approach offering empathy, unconditional positive regard and genuineness. Providing a supportive, confidential and peaceful environment that will hopefully create a trusting relationship that will empower you to feel safe and accepted. Giving you time and space to explore your thoughts, feelings and behaviour. However, as an integrative counsellor, I may integrate different techniques to help facilitate you in moving forward with your life in a more positive and healthier way. All techniques I use will be tailored to meet your individual needs while working at your own pace. The important thing for you to know is that the counselling sessions is your time to explore any issues that you choose to share within the counselling room.
If you feel I am the right counsellor or supervisor for you, please do get in touch and we can book in your FREE telephone consultation.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications:
- BSc (Hons) First Class in Counselling
- Foundation Degree Distinction in Counselling
- Level 4 Certificate in Counselling Supervision
- Level 3 Designated Safeguarding Lead
- Diploma Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy
- Diploma in Working with Children and Young
- Peer Support Worker
- Level 1 Awareness of Substance Misuse
- Level 1 Alcohol Awareness
- Level 2 Safeguarding Children
- Level 2 Safeguarding Adults
- Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills
- Level 2 Award in Counselling Concepts
- Level 2 Understanding Children and Young People
- Level 2 Awareness of Mental Health
- Mental Health First Aid
CPD:
- Awareness of Working with Armed Forces Community
- Working Integratively with ERO, REBT & TA
- Working with the Drama Triangle
- Working with Psychological Trauma
- TA working with Transference
- Suicide Prevention Training
- Single Session Therapy
- Working with the Shadow Self
- Psychological First Aid
- Introduction to Mindfulness
- Introduction to Mirror Work
- Hidden Trauma
- Introduction to Focusing
- Depression a Compassionate View
- Create your Own Happiness, Narrative Approaches and Inner Child Work
- Bereaved by Suicide
- Bereavement
- Child Development
- Counselling Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse
- Attachment Theory
- Introduction to Compassion Focused Theory
- Awareness of Adverse Childhood Experiences
- Adult & CYP Self Harm
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.
The National Counselling and Psychotherapy 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
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
Photos & videos
Fees
£50.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
£50.00 Counselling
£60.00 Supervision
I offer student rates for Supervision on a individual basis *Please enquire*
I offerconcessions for Keyworkers *Please enquire*
Further information
I am an accredited registrant with the NCPS where I adhere to their Code of Conduct and I hold an Enhanced DBS. I am committed to supporting you to the very best of my abilities and for this reason I undertake regular professional development and I regularly attend supervision to aid good practice.
