Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy

Diploma in Hypnotherapy

BA Hons Visual Arts

I am an accredited member of The Counselling Society, and a  Licentiate Member of the Hypnotherapy Society. 

I work in accordance with the BACP code of ethics  and hold full indemnity insurance.

 

My initial training was in the arts having been a practicing artist since the 1980’s.  In 1999 I began working in the area of arts management, programming contemporary art exhibitions as well as organising workshops, seminars and artist residencies.

My interest as an artist always lay in the human condition, in psychology and philosophy.  Having spent some 16 years overseas I had the privilege of experiencing a diverse mix of cultures and ethnic groups which further fuelled that interest.

In 2005 I decided to train as a counsellor and hypnotherapist with the view of combining this training with my creative background into some kind of hybrid form of therapy.

The training I undertook was in Integrative, person centred counselling and psychotherapy. 

What does this mean?  

There are many different counselling 'methods' that have been developed over the years by some of the great pioneers such as Freud, Rogers, Maslow, Skinner and Ellis. 

Integrative counselling starts from the premise that no one person is the same and that people suffer from a wide range of psychological distress and disturbance.  To bring about effective counselling, the therapist needs  to adapt their approach to the particular needs of the client, using a method or  a variety of methods that will best suit those needs.

Person centred counselling was developed by one of  America’s most distinguished  psychologists, Carl Rogers who worked with a non-directive form of counselling, where the client had full control over the direction and pace of their therapy.

Many of the difficulties we face in our lives today can be traced back to unresolved issues from our past, even those we may not be able to understand or even be aware of. My role is to work with you to try to identify these issues and patterns from the past and, without giving advice, help you to explore alternative ways of being.

I also have training in the art of Hypnosis.   

Hypnotherapy can  in some cases be an extraordinarily powerful tool that enables many clients to face their unconscious and often habitual self defeating behaviours – see my page on ‘hypnotherapy’ for more information on how this works.

My aim as a therapist is to be warm, non-judgmental and respectful of my client's concerns whatever they may be.  Fundamental to all my work is the quality of my relationship with my client.  I aim to respect each one as an individual whose experience is singular and particular to him/her. Unconditional regard – the ability to accept others, whatever they say or do, without prejudice – is a key aspect of my work. Although I participate actively in the sessions, making observations and offering interpretations as appropriate, I believe that it is ultimately the client who has the power to make changes. My role is to assist in this process.

 Whether a client comes to counselling on an open-ended or time-limited basis varies according to the different needs and objectives of each individual. One may choose to come for just a few sessions to focus on a particular issue; another may prefer to stay for far longer to explore more deeply-rooted difficulties. Either way, this is something we would discuss and agree upon together, with the final decision always being taken in the client’s best interest.

I also offer creative group self development workshops utilising aspects from  my creative, counselling and hypnotherapy approaches.  For more information on these workshops and upcoming dates visit my  ‘creative workshops’ page.

 

CHARGES

 

 £35 per 50 minute session.  I also offer limited concessional appointments for those who have no or low income.  Please phone me for more details.