Robert T Haddock MBACP

Welcome to my homepage......

You may have arrived here because you are seeking help for yourself or someone else, or maybe you are simply browsing - in all cases, a warm welcome to you.

What do I do?

I am a professionally trained and qualified counsellor/therapist, supervisor and tutor with over 20 years experience.

Recognising there is no "one size fits all" way of helping human beings my model of working is integrative. What I mean by this is using a range of theories that work together coherently, are consistent philosophically, and enable help to be tailored in a way that is responsive to unique human beings and difficulties.

I draw from Person Centred, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Transactional Analysis (TA), relational and solution orientated approaches while while keeping clients at the centre of any work.

Counselling and Psychotherapy can help with a range of difficulties and I have experience of successfully working with clients of all genders in a number of areas including relationship issues, life changes, sexuality, sexual difficulties, gender, how you feel (anxiety/depression/fear/unsure/confused/conflicted/stuck/ lacking in confidence etc), bereavement, coping with a disability, the effects of recent or past events (traumas) including PTSD, important life decisions, to name just a few.

An initial appointment is available without charge to enable you to talk about what you need and how I may be able to help you.

I also supervise other practitioners, train students and qualified counsellors, and perform work in organisational settings especially in areas of human behaviour, well-being and development.

I offer a limited number of face to face appointments available in central Eastbourne. Additionally if you are further afield, or would find the accessibility or convenience of working online I use a variety of formats which include: VSee, Zoom, Skype or even WhatsApp. While this method of connecting offers advantages in terms of convenience and accessibility it also presents important differences to face to face work. It is important that whoever you choose is able to manage these differences effectively.

What is my background/experience in counselling?

I started training in counselling and psychotherapy in 1998 graduating as a counsellor in 2000 while continuing training in psychotherapy. The difference? Well the answer could entail a long discussion, but in brief, (and in my opinion - there is not universal agreement in our profession about this):

Counselling supports you to have a better life using your existing self. Psychotherapy facilitates you in understanding how your existing self and way of being helps and even hinders you and how you might change with a view to a better life. Both take place in the context of a helping relationship with someone appropriately trained.

I have worked with a range of issues over the years including: stress, trauma, panic attacks and PTSD, offending behaviours, problems in relationships, feelings of anxiety/depression/anger, confidence and self esteem, loss and bereavement, issues to do with gender identity and sexuality and sexual difficulties and coping with disability. I am not specialised in working with eating disorders, and children but can assist with referral to colleagues who are.

My professional development as a Counsellor/Psychotherapist included substantial personal therapy - I consider this important in training and developing therapists for a number of reasons including: it gives an appreciation of what it is like to be a client, and an assurance that having worked on their own lives and selves the therapist can understand better the difference between their own material and that of their clients.

In summary I offer:

• short and long term counselling/psychotherapy work for individuals and couples who may be experiencing difficulties

• on-line counselling and therapy via a variety of platforms including but not limited to Skype / VSee / Zoom / Email

• coaching for individuals seeking help with setting direction and goals for life and work or developing new skills

• supervision for counsellors and other therapeutic practitioners

• training and consultancy and coaching relating to people issues in organisational settings

Want to know more?

Have a look at the Frequently Asked Questions section [click here] and then maybe give me a call or email me if you would like to ask anything further or to talk about whether I can help you.

Taking the first step is rarely easy and can be daunting and I offer an opportunity to speak on the telephone, to email or to "meet" via video link in order to ask questions, gain further information, put a "face to a name" and to help you decide what next. There is no obligation or fee associated with this.

If I'm not the right person I can likely assist with referral to a colleague or other source of assistance.

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