My Qualifications

Qualified Professional Counsellor - Registered Member of The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

I studied for 4 years to become a Counsellor.  My studies included:

• Btec Level 5 Professional Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (2007) - a Foundation Degree level qualification.
• NVQ 3 Advanced Certificate in  Counselling (2005)
• NVQ 2 Intermediate Certificate in Counselling (2004)
• My counselling qualification also includes hundreds of hours of client work.
• I have also completed many other specialised psychotherapy courses including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
• An ongoing commitment to Continued Professional Development.

As a result, I am registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).  The BACP is the elite professional governing body in the UK for recognition of qualifications and skills to practise ethically and professionally as a Counsellor or Psychotherapist.

 

Qualified Clinical Hypnotherapist

I trained at a recognised Centre of Excellence in Clinical Hypnotherapy and gained the following qualifications:

• Diploma in Hypnotherapy - DHP (2014)
• Diploma in Solution Focused Hypnotherapy - DSFH (2014)

In addition, I'm a member of the following organisations:

• National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH)
• Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapist (AfsFH)

I attend regular supervision sessions, courses and workshops to keep up to date, using the latest and best practice to continue to increase my knowledge.

My Experience

The Priory Hospital, Bristol

I worked to help patients gain control of their addiction(s) on the Addiction Treatment Programme - addiction is often a cluster of addictions.  I also ran groups on the main psychiatric programmes.  The therapy groups I ran within The Priory included:

• Assertiveness Training and CBT Group Therapy for General Psychiatric Stress and Depression Group
• Drug and Alcohol treatment based on the 12 steps, including CBT and 1-to-1 sessions with outpatients
• An Eating Disorder group using CBT, some elements of the 12 step programme and an eclectic approach towards therapy.
• Groups within the general psychiatric unit on depression and anxiety, also assertiveness training, resentment, boundaries, control and many more

I worked within the Eating Disorder unit, looking at control, control around food and sense of self-worth - supporting patients to achieve their goals in a healthy, proactive way.

I also counselled out-patients in 1:1 sessions, helping them deal with: addiction, work related stress, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, disruptive sleep patterns.

 

South Gloucestershire Youth Offending Service

I worked as a Psychotherapist, Drug and Alcohol Specialist Practioner with young people.

 

South Gloucestershire Council

I worked with young people in schools to support them to facilitate change.

 

Bristol City Council

I worked with children in residential care.

 

Charities

I have also worked as a counsellor at a number of charities, including:

• Addiction Recovery Agency
• Akousis
• The Swan Project
• Dementia Care Trust