Phil Mitchell
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
In a Nutshell
- Over 19 years experience of working with hundreds of people
- Significant experience in working with anxiety, stress, trauma, bereavement, anger, low self-esteem and sexuality
- Significant and specialist experience in working with boys and men who have experienced various forms of abuse
- I can and work with you to help you deal with your problems, take control and get something useful out of counselling
- I adopt male-friendly methods, value masculinity and use logic to helps boys and men solve problems
- Sessions are available in-person and online via Zoom video
- Email phil@counsellingwithphil.co.uk
My Experience
- I am a qualified counsellor and psychotherapist
- I am a senior accredited therapist with The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
- Since 2004 I have provided one-to-one counselling and psychotherapy to hundreds of children, young people and adults of all genders
- I am experienced in working with anxiety, stress, trauma, bereavement, anger, low self-esteem, sexuality and more
- I have significant experience in working with those who have experienced recent and/or historic rape and/or sexual abuse/violence/exploitation
- I specialise in working with boys and men affected by recent and/or historic sexual abuse/violence
- I have over six years’ experience of counselling those affected by bereavement via Cruse Bereavement Care
- I have over three years’ experience of counselling those struggling with their sexuality via Terrence Higgins Trust and Freshwinds Birmingham
- I have over two years’ experience in working with children via Relate’s Time for You service and a number of secondary schools
- Since 2007 I have worked in private practice and ran a counselling service in the Midlands
- I have provided counselling for ITV and a number of Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs)
Getting Started with Counselling
You can phone or text me on 07780 946568 or email: phil@counsellingwithphil.co.uk to book your first counselling session. First of all it's important that you are happy with my fees and with the type of counselling I provide. You can view this information at my website: https://counsellorinleeds.co.uk/counselling-approaches/
How I Work
Counselling with me is not just sitting and talking; it can be used to help people tackle their problems, eliminate barriers, understand their situation, take control, take action, and make change.
I have specialist experience in working with boys and men, specifically those who have experienced historic and/or recent sexual abuse/violence. I adopt male-friendly methods, value masculinity and use logic to helps boys and men solve problems.
Further details of my approach to counselling, and of the therapeutic approaches I feel competent to use can be found below.
I work with clients to help them make the best use of our time together by identifying what they’d like to achieve from counselling and by trying to ensure they gain something useful from the sessions. I often adopt a straight talking, direct approach where thoughts can be challenged, options can be explored, emotions can be expressed, and alternative perspectives can be offered.
I am an eclectic counsellor/psychotherapist which means I use different elements of therapeutic approaches, namely Person Centred Counselling, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. See below.
Person Centred Counselling
The Person Centred approach believes that as human beings we will move towards doing what is best for us when we are provided with the right environment in which the therapeutic core conditions of empathy, acceptance and genuineness can be experienced. Person Centred counselling and psychotherapy has a strong focus on a positive relationship being established between client and counsellor. As someone who has received and provided Person Centred counselling I can see from a personal and professional level the benefits this way of working can bring. If you’d like to know more about the Person Centred approach please visit The British Association for the Person Centred Approach website.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT focuses on exploring a person’s thought process and perception of their situation. This approach believes that how we think about our situation and the beliefs that we attach to it affect our behaviour and in turn create the emotions we struggle to deal with. CBT highlights that by thinking differently about our situation, we will then behave and feel differently. If you’d like to know more about CBT please visit The British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies website.
Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
SFBT aims make effective use of time by focusing more on solutions rather than problems. The approach aims to create positive change by identifying a person’s preferred and realistic future and by building on what a person is already doing, or has already done to effectively manage their situation. If you’d like to know more about the Solution-Focused Brief Therapy approach please visit The Solution Focused Brief Therapy Association
My Qualifications
- 2019 - Senior BACP Accreditation
- 2018 - Psychological First Aid Training, Jphn Hopkins University via Coursera
- 2018 - Accredited EMDR Training, The MEDR Academy
- 2012 - Post-Graduate Certificate in Person-Centred Supervision by Temenos, Sheffield
- 2009 - BACP Accreditation (meaning my practice has been deemed sufficiently ethical by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
- 2008 - BACP Accredited Practitioner's Course in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) University of Birmingham
- 2006 - BACP Accredited Diploma in Person Centred Counselling and Psychotherapy, University of Warwick
- 2003 - Level two certificate in counselling skills and studies, Thomas Danby College, Leeds
- 2002 - Introductory counselling certificate, Thomas Danby College, Leeds
I have also competed training on male psychology and mental health, solution focused therapy, the 'Rewind' technique, online counselling, walk and talk therapy, child sexual exploitation and more.
I am also a qualified supervisor and since 2012 I have provided supervision to qualified and trainee counsellors, and also to other practitioners working with children in high risk situations.
For further details about me, my experience and how I work please visit my website www.counsellingwithphil.co.uk
When we Meet for the First Time
I will spend part of your first session explaining more about how I work and exploring how we could specifically work together. This is to ensure you have a good understanding of counselling and of how I work. You will also get a chance to get some things off your chest and explain more about your situation.
I will explain more about the counselling process and gather brief information about you and your medical history. I will ask that you sign the counselling agreement. This is a document containing important information, regarding how we agree to work together and covers issues relating to boundaries, confidentiality and practicalities such as fees, length of sessions, time keeping and cancellation and rescheduling procedures. You will be able to ask any question, and discuss any concerns you may have about this, and any other part of the counselling process. I will also and ask what it is you are hoping to achieve from counselling.
I may also ask for your GP details. It would be advantageous if you came prepared with this information. Please note I will only contact your GP after speaking with you first, except in exceptional circumstances.
Testimonials
Clients have given permission for their comments to be used on this site.
"A man of my age doesn't open up very easily to strangers, but after the first session I felt like such a weight had been lifted from my shoulders." Ted
"I was so nervous but Phil really helped me to relax. He listened to me in a way that I have never been listened to before." John
"Seeing Phil gave me a better understanding of my situation and helped me see I was totally stressed, and angry at the whole wide world. Now I have learned to relax and look at life differently." Donna
"I think everyone should have counselling. It's changed my life in ways I never thought it could." Lee
“Phil is warm, genuine and easy to talk to, and my sessions with him helped me both to cope with a stressful transition, and to make positive changes in my life. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Phil (in fact, I’ve already done so).” Rosie
"Phil appeared to be skilled in the two areas I was having problems with (coming to terms with my sexuality and substance misuse; these being linked). By the time I saw him, my problems had escalated to involve my employer and the police. Phil helped me through the worst time of my life. He was professional, kind, non-judgemental and I enjoyed our sessions. He helped me understand myself better and helped me face the future with confidence. If any of my problems are what faces you, I doubt you could make a better choice." Colin
Training, qualifications & experience
Training
Since 2004 I have attended various training courses addressing, but not limited to, the following issues:
- Working ethically
- Working with children and young people
- Working with drug addiction
- Helping clients through suicide and self harm
- Brief solution focused therapy
- The neuroscience of trauma
- Understanding bereavement
- Safeguarding boys from child sexual exploitation
- Understanding domestic violence
- Sexual trauma - the brain and the body
- Using the trauma model to understating the affects of sexual abuse and exploitation
I have also delivered training courses addressing working with men and boys affected by sexual abuse.
Qualifications
- 2019 - Senior BACP Accreditation
- 2018 - Psychological First Aid Training, Jphn Hopkins University via Coursera
- 2018 - Accredited EMDR Training, The MEDR Academy
- 2012 - Post-Graduate Certificate in Person-Centred Supervision by Temenos, Sheffield
- 2009 - BACP Accreditation (meaning my practice has been deemed sufficiently ethical by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
- 2008 - BACP Accredited Practitioner's Course in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) University of Birmingham
- 2006 - BACP Accredited Diploma in Person Centred Counselling and Psychotherapy, University of Warwick
- 2003 - Level two certificate in counselling skills and studies, Thomas Danby College, Leeds
- 2002 - Introductory counselling certificate, Thomas Danby College, Leeds
Experience
I am a qualified therapist and since 2004 I have provided one-to-one counselling and psychotherapy to children, young people and adults on a wide range of issues.
Whilst I specialise in working with male sexual abuse I am also experienced in working with other issues such as stress, depression, anxiety, trauma, bereavement, anger, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties and more.
Since 2004 I have worked with a variety of individuals including those affected by bereavement via Cruse Bereavement Care, those addressing issues relating to their sexual orientation via Terrence Higgins Trust and Freshwinds Birmingham, and children affected by a range of issues via Relate’s Time for You service and in a number of secondary schools.
Since 2007 I have worked in private practice, ran a counselling service in the Midlands and also provided counselling for ITV and a number of Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs).
I am registered and accredited with The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) meaning by counselling practice has been deemed sufficiently ethical
I specialise in working with male sexual abuse and have significant experience in working with men and boys affected by rape, sexual abuse, sexual assaults and sexual violence. I have over eight years experience of managing a male only sexual exploitation service and in supporting boys and men at risk of, or who experienced sexual exploitation and abuse. I am also an experienced trainer and public speaker addressing male sexual abuse on a national level.
As a survivor of abuse I know personally and professionally how males often find it particularly difficult in asking for help and seeking counselling. This is due to old fashioned gender stereotypes and perceived ideas about what it means to male. During childhood and adolescence boys are often given messages about how they should and shouldn't behave e.g. 'man up,' 'don't cry,' 'grow a pair,' 'be a big man.' These messages often shape a boy's idea of their masculinity, what it means to be male and how they need to behave as man. This can result in men becoming boys who think they need to respond to problems by expressing violence and/or suppressing emotions.
As males are generally seen as the stronger and less vulnerable sex this gives many boys and men an added difficulty to overcome, particularly when they have experienced sexual violence/abuse. When boys and men do not have the space to talk about their issues and appropriately express their emotions it can result in outburst of uncontrollable rage, sever anxiety, chronic depression and in some cases the manifestation of a physical ailment. Males who have experienced sexual violence/abuse sometimes believe their masculinity has been attacked and that asking for help and seeking support is another threat to their masculinity. It is important to remember that when men talk about their problems and express their feelings this is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of strength.
Between 2013 and 2015 I also managed a project working with child sexual exploitation (CSE) organisations across the country helping them develop their services for boys. The number of boys referred for support increased from 91 to 249 across 20 local authorities. I have also developed and implemented various national initiatives, resources and campaigns aimed at tackling the sexual exploitation of boys. I have appeared in local and national media highlighting the issues faced my men and boys who are raped, abused and sexually exploited and I have contributed to research and various publications including 'Children and Young People Now' and 'Inside Man' by Dan Bell and Glen Poole.
Since 2009 I have delivered training to thousands of professionals across the country addressing the sexual abuse and exploitation of boys and men and the difficulties they face in asking for help. In 2014 my work in the field of male sexual abuse was acknowledged when I was also nominated for an' Unsung Hero Award' and was a finalist in the category, 'longest journey under challenging conditions'.
Member organisations
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
Specialist Experience
I have significant experience in working with boys and men affected recent and/or historic sexual abuse. I have worked with hundreds of boys and men who have experienced various forms of sexual abuse, including sexual abuse, helping them to appropriate express their feelings, move on from their trauma and live healthier and happier lives.
I have contributed to various publications addressing issues related to the sexual abuse of boys and men.
I have delivered training on the sexual abuse and exploitation of boys and men to thousands of professionals across the country and I have nine years experience of managing a male only sexual exploitation project.
I have developed nationally recognised resources addressing the grooming and sexual exploitation of boys and I have appeared in local and national media highlighting the issue of male rape the sexual exploitation of boys.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£55.00 per session
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
Counselling
£55 per one hour session. Most clients usually have a one hour session weekly or fortnightly.
Supervision
£27.50 per 30 minutes.
For further details please visit:
www.counsellingwithphil.co.uk
When I work
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Monday to Friday 9am - 7pm. Some Saturday appointments are also available.
Further information
Supervision
I also hold a Post Graduate Certificate in Person Centred Supervision which was awarded to me by Temenos. I am also a BACP senior accredited supervisor.
As someone who has received and provided Person Centred counselling and supervision I have seen and experienced the benefits that this way of working can bring.
I believe that by establishing and maintaining a healthy and collaborative relationship where supervisees can experience the core conditions of empathy, genuineness and acceptance, a safe enough space can be created where various issues relating to client work, practice and professional development can be addressed, discussed and explored in a way that is helpful to the supervisee.
My role is to work with what the supervisee brings to supervision, in a non-judgemental way that can help develop their practice and grow as a counsellor. I believe I can provide the appropriate environment where supervisees can discuss any difficulties they may be experiencing, explore alternative approaches, be open to appropriate challenge and highlight what is going well.
My Supervision Experience
Since 2012 I have provided private Person Centred/eclectic supervision to qualified and trainee counsellors working in settings such schools, colleges, GP surgeries, voluntary sector services, crisis centres and other counselling organisations.
I have significant experience in working with safeguarding issues and supervising counsellors and other practitioners working with children and young people in high risk situations including those involved in child sexual exploitation (CSE), those affected by trauma and those with suicidal thoughts.
Further details can be found at my website www.counsellingwithphil.co.uk
