Background
I have always had an interest and desire to work in the caring profession and before training to become a counsellor i spent ten years working as a maxilofacial nurse both privately and in the NHS in various locations working specifically with HIV, burns and cancer sufferers.
Training/Qualifications
Training took place over four years at one of BACP's accredited training establishements the Chelmsford Counselling Foundation concentrating on the theory and practice of the psychodynamic model, (but also incorporating the study of other counselling approaches) all following awards were validated by WPF and are accredited by the British Association of Counselling & Pyschotherapy: Diploma in Pyschodynamic Counselling (2yrs) Diploma in Counselling Skills (1yr) and Certificate in Counselling Skills (1yr) I undertake professional development courses and have a Certificate of Competence in Life Coaching & NLP.
Experience
My main area of full time work is as a counsellor practitioner in private practice. I also work a week as a project coordinator for a mental health organistaion and undertake sessional counselling work with an essex boarding school working with 13-18 year olds. I have experience working as a counsellor in general counselling agencies as well as working as a counsellor and Mental Health Worker for mental health organisations, specializing in self-harm, sexual and physical abuse/trauma, panic attacks, fears and anger. I also have specialized experience in addictions from working as a drug and alcohol counsellor for an essex probation service.
Professional Membership & Code of Ethics
MBACP - Member of the British Association for Counselling and Pyschotherapy. I am bound by and adhere to the BACP Ethical Framework
Member of the NHS Directory of Complentary & Alternative Practitioners - NHS Trust Assocaition
My Approach To Counselling
There are many different counselling approaches and it can feel like a 'minefield' for people trying to understand them all. I believe what's most important when looking for a counsellor is that they are suitably trained and qualified with a professional body, most of all it's important that you feel comfortable with the counsellor you choose. I describe myself as a counsellor and my approach is pyschodynamic integrative, offering both long and short term counselling in a confidential enviornment with an approachable, understanding and flexible manner.
Integrative Counselling
I feel it is vitally important as a counsellor and as a person that i offer respect and value for the person who is sitting in front of me in having the ability to listen to a persons needs and being able to adapt to them. In not feeling restricted to one model of choice I offer and incoporate an approach for individual needs and requirements and therefore offer integrative counselling drawing from different approaches. My approach is appropriate to the presenting problem.
Psychodynamic Approach
Exploring and linking past behaviours, family and childhood difficulties to the present and looking at how these past influences have affected our present lifestyle and relationships. By exploring and releasing the feelings, thoughts and emotions associated with the past we are able to acknowledge the way these are affecting our present lifestyle and relationships. By acknowledging the past we are able to slowly make changes in the present. Pyschodynamic counselling is effective for people who have struggled with issues for a while that they feel need voicing and addressing or a significant event has triggered feelings from the past.
Holistic Approach
Quite often when underlying feelings are not addressed your body will feel them in a physical form, with my background in nursing combined with my counselling training i am able to see a person as a whole where the significance is that the mind, body and spirit all have significant links to each other and therefore i work with physical symptoms as well as emotions and feelings as these phsyical aspects can often be the symptom of underlying unexpressed emotions, the aim is by exploring and working with all these aspects is that a person can gain a balance.