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GET TO KNOW ME

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Hi, I’m Alison and I am a fully qualified counsellor/psychotherapist and accredited member of National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS).

I'm an integrative therapist which simply means that I've had training on the broad range of therapeutic models (including psychodynamic, psychoanalytic, humanistic, CBT etc) and can therefore use the appropriate tools and techniques to help and support you with your specific issue(s). However, my core approach is Person Centred which just means that your needs are placed at the centre of the counselling relationship, you set the agenda, and my role is to support you in a warm, supportive and non-judgmental manner as we work together to untangle your issues and develop a more positive future pathway, making decisions that you feel are right for you.

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On a more personal note, whilst my own children are now all adult, with their own young families, I also understand the pressures of juggling parenting with work and all the other roles we have to take on in life.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • BSc (Hons) Psychology

  • Level 5 Professional Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling Practice 

  • Level 4 Advanced Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling

  • Level 3 Certificate in Hypnotherapy and Counselling Skills

  • Mental Health First Aider

  • DBS Checked

ACCREDITATION

I'm an Accredited Member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society MNCPS (Acc), who in turn are regulated by the Professional Standards Authority.

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This means that I adhere to the strict ethical standards of this membership body, providing a route for redress if required. As a member I am required to have insurance for my work, monthly supervision by a trained, accredited supervisor and have a minimum of 30 hours CPD per year. 

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I am also registered with the Information Commissioner's Office ensuring your personal data is protected and only used in accordance with the terms of the counselling contract. 

 

This is all done to ensure that your safety and welfare is protected at all times.

A LITTLE MORE ABOUT ME AND HOW I CAN HELP YOU

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Before I trained as a therapist, my career had been spent working in HR Management in private, public and third sector organisations. It was whilst working in HR that I was able to appreciate first-hand how the stresses of a pressurised job and/or difficult work colleague interactions can often combine with day-to-day pressures (financial, relationships, loss, health etc) and suddenly tip someone into feeling really anxious and worried about everything and/or really low and demotivated.  This can lead to withdrawing from social interactions, poor sleep patterns, angry outbursts, phobias, OCD, self-harm and even, in some cases, suicidal thoughts. 


Habits designed to distract, like increased drinking, social media use, or gambling can give temporary reprieve but can actually make the problems escalate.


Friends and family may want to help but often it can feel easier to unload to a counsellor who can listen without judgement, in a confidential safe space, and can then support and encourage you to make any changes needed.

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My expertise therefore lies in helping clients cope with stress and the mental health issues that can result, including anxiety in it's many forms (social, health, phobia, generalised, OCD) and depression/low mood. Sometimes looking at the presenting behaviours that have brought you to therapy will shine a light on past experiences that may have resulted in the development of low self-esteem, negative thought patterns and self-defeating coping strategies. We work collaboratively to understand all of the issues and then look at tools that we can use to help in future. This can involve everything from examining relationships and life scripts, through to setting goals and learning relaxation techniques. 

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I also work with clients who have suffered bereavement and loss, anger  management issues, addiction recovery, gender identity issues and much more.

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I particularly welcome enquiries from men who are suffering with mental health issues and who can sometimes struggle to ask for help.

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