About Counselling and Therapy

Counselling is increasingly accepted as a normal and responsible way of approaching difficulties. It is about finding ways of coping and coming to terms with conflict, pressure or painful life experiences and losses. Counselling can help you look at ways of making choices for yourself, explore difficult relationships and gain a better understanding of yourself and your feelings. Talking things through with someone who is removed from your situation can give you a sense of relief and help you gain clarity about it.

As a psychodynamic counsellor I look at how past relationships or events may be affecting current ones. However, I draw on a variety of techniques (such as CBT) to suit the needs of the individual.

My Qualifications and Experience

I have a degree in Psychology (BSc Hons), a Diploma in Counselling Principles and Practice, a Post-grad Diploma in Psycho-analytical Observation and other qualifications in assessment, supervision and life coaching. I am an accredited member of the BACP. I am DBS checked and I maintain up to date safeguarding qualifications.

I have over 20 years of experience as a counsellor, working in therapy with a wide range of issues such as bereavement, abuse, eating disorders, depression and low self-esteem, to name but a few.

My experience includes:

• Over 20 years working in schools with children and young people aged 4 to 18 (including 10 years with Oxfordshire County Council's Face2Face youth counselling service working with young people aged 8 to 25).
• Over 10 years in private practice with adults and young people.
• 6 years with the Mental Health NHS Trust and the Learning Disabilities Trust, working with adults and adolescents with mental health problems and learning difficulties.

Terms and Conditions - Counselling

The price of a counselling session is £50. After an initial assessment session, the number of counselling sessions is open to negotiation but I normally recommend trying at least 6 sessions. I am happy to work long term or short term depending on your needs.

Each session is at the same day and time each week and lasts for 50 minutes.

I can give you the full terms and conditions of how I work at the initial session.

Term and Conditions - Coaching

The price of coaching sessions is variable depending on requirements. It starts at £75; please contact me for more details.

Ethics

As a member of the BACP I adhere to their code of ethics, details of which can be found on their website: www.bacp.co.uk.

Confidentiality

I do not make routine reports to your GP or your parent/carer (if you are under 18) in order to build up a trusting relationship between you, as the client, and myself. However, on rare occasions, in the interests of keeping you safe, I may need to break confidentiality and contact either your G.P. or your parent/carer (if you are under 18). Any break in confidentiality would be discussed with you first and hopefully would be done with your consent.

Contact me