Vivien Philps-Tate

If you are comfortable with what counselling is and know what you want from it, scroll down to the heading ABOUT ME to find out more about what I offer. Otherwise read on…

WHAT IS COUNSELLING?

1 in 3 people will experience a period of emotional ill health in their lifetime. So you aren't alone. However, it can feel that way and hard to take the first steps to help yourself.

Counselling can be helpful when life experiences and difficulties are getting in the way of us living life fully. We can feel empty, stuck, depressed, confused, anxious – and we just can't seem to get out of the vicious cycle we are in.

Often we don't know what help we need – we just know we're struggling and need help. Telling someone you know may be difficult because it is personal and private, and they may offer their opinion and advice.

Counselling is different. It provides a quiet, supportive and a non-judgemental relationship to work through painful feelings, to grow in self-understanding and confidence, and explore and develop coping strategies by looking at options.

How you're used to being isn't necessarily who you are
Although you can't change what is past, you can leave behind unhelpful patterns of behaviour from that past and live life more fully in the present.

Putting yourself first
People often say they feel guilty investing in themselves. They may be used to caring about the needs of others or for others and feel uncomfortable about focussing on their own needs. In reality the opposite is true. When we invest in (or take care of) ourselves we can come to respect and value ourselves. The act of giving ourselves enough of what we need can enable us to find the energy and resources to manage life, with its complex situations and relationships in ways that are more healthy for both ourselves and others.

ABOUT ME

I'm a fully insured BACP accredited counsellor and hold an enhanced DBS certificate. I offer counselling and art therapy to adults and young people. and play therapy for children. I practice from private rooms in Knebworth, Hertfordshire. I work integratively - this means I can draw on a range of theoretical approaches and tools to support our work together appropriately. These include CBT, NLP, psychodynamic, gestalt, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), DNMS (Developmental Needs Meeting Strategy).

EMDR is of particular value in cases of post-traumatic stress (PTSD). I am an EMDR Europe Accredited Practitioner. I've worked extensively with members of the emergency services, including ambulance personnel, police traffic and firearms officers.

DNMS addresses unwanted behaviors, beliefs, emotions, and urges rooted in unmet emotional needs from childhood trauma and attachment wounds. It works through meeting the needs of wounded child parts to help them get unstuck from the past. More and more in my practice I find people's issues a rooted in childhood attachment issues which have become magnified through or adversely influence their adult experiences.

My part in your journey is first of all to help you make sense of what you are experiencing right now so you can understand more about why you are feeling the way you do. From there we can explore how you might want it to be different and work towards achieving those goals so you can live life more fully and freely, in the present, and with more choice about how to be in the world.

These values. along with my ethical obligations and duty of care toward my clients and my profession are the foundations of my commitment to you should you decide to work with me.

Counselling can be delivered equally effectively via several options, to suit your circumstances. Face to face in the same room is probably the one people are most familiar with. However, some clients prefer to have their sessions over the phone or on-line, via Zoom/Skype, and email. This can be for several reasons.

Some people say they feel more comfortable and confident sharing their thoughts and feelings when they are in the privacy of their own space. In this way the quality of the communication and trust between client and therapist can be built gradually and becomes the 'room' in which effective therapy can happen.

When we were all restricted due to the Coronavirus, I continued to offer sessions via Telephone / Video and email and I have continued to do since. Clients whether new or existing can therefore be assured of a continuity of care which is important in attending to your mental health. Even in normal times, these options can also be useful for those juggling time and location commitments; where it's more manageable to find a quiet space in the day for an hour if it's difficult to travel to therapy (for instance if your work often takes you away from home).

Whichever medium you choose for your therapy, the values that underpin my approach to working with clients will be the same. You are in control of the pace and content of what you choose to bring to therapy.

SERVICES

Examples of areas I can help with are:-

Abuse
Abortion
Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Anger
Anxiety
Adoption Issues
Bereavement and Loss
Bullying
Low Self Esteem
Depression
Domestic Violence
Eating Disorders
Emotional Eating
Family Work
Low Self Esteem / Confidence
Work-Related Issues
Emotional Abuse
Physical Abuse
Issues of Identity
Stress
Post-Traumatic Stress (PTSD)
Separation and Divorce
Self Harm
Sexual Abuse
Relationship Issues
Body Dysmorphia

Next Steps
Making contact by phone, or e-mail if it feels easier, can be a positive first step in the right direction. We can then talk through what you feel you need to know and what you are looking for. This will help you to form an impression, get a sense of me and the way I work, and decide whether you want to book a first session.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Contact

Viv Philps-Tate

Tel. 07771 995509

E-Mail: Vivien@meta-consulting.com

I offer an initial session for us to explore your needs.  Toward the end of that session we can decide together whether there is a good 'fit' between what you want from counselling and your counsellor and whether I can offer the support you need. If you wish to continue, I recommend that you attend weekly sessions for four weeks. At that point we can discuss whether we both feel there is value in your continuing. If we decide to go ahead we will continue with a weekly session and agree another point for review.

Regularity and continuity are important to effective therapy. If for any reason you aren't able to make your session I shall do my best to offer an alternative time in the same week. If you are unable to attend you will be charged for the missed session. If for any reason I am unable to attend your session e.g. for holidays, you won't  be charged for that session,

Fee per 50 minute session is £80.00.