About Counselling.....

People Seek counselling for many reasons and at different stages in their lives, for example, at times of personal crisis or stress, when faced with major decisions, or following a significant loss or period of change. A person may also wish to address difficult experiences that have happened in the past that are now impacting on their present situation.

Someone may also want assistance with relationship or family issues, work related difficulties or personal growth and development.

Counselling does not generally involve giving advice, but offers you an opportunity to talk to someone who is qualified to listen in confidence about your situation.

Attending for Counselling is a choice and as such you have the right to be respected and to work with your Counsellor with clear boundaries and agreements.

Counselling Appointments:
Appointments generally occur once per week lasting up to an hour. Counselling is undertaken in a setting that provides a safe and confidential space to explore issues at they arise. The number of sessions offered could be time limited or open ended.

An initial session is always offered so that you can meet your Counsellor. During the initial meeting you should be given the opportunity to have any questions you have about counselling answered and to decide whether or not you and your Counsellor will be able to work with each other.

How long will I need counselling?
This is a personal choice and something that can be discussed and agreed upon with your Counsellor. Some people attend for a short period, for example, 6 sessions and feel that they have resolved the presenting issues. Other people attend for longer periods, often to explore deeper personal issues. In such situations Counselling can continue over a period of several months or years.

Reaching a decision about the length of counselling should always be a choice but may be dependant upon certain factors, for example, your personal situation and financial circumstances, and you and your Counsellors availability and willingness to work on a short term or long term basis.

Is it confidential?
Counselling should be undertaken within clear guidelines and Confidentiality is a central principle underlying all Counselling work.

Personal information or details are not generally shared with another person or agency without client consent or for very clear reasons. For the safety of both client and counsellor, it is important that the limits and boundaries of confidentiality are agreed upon in the initial stages of counselling. Generally Counsellors have agreement about what will be shared, when for example, it is felt that a client or another person is at risk of serious harm or when there any issues of a child protection nature.

Certain personal details and information such as case notes will be kept. It is important that any such information is held under the principles as outlined in the Data Protection act.

What are the different approaches?
Most Counsellors have their own personal distinct style and way of working, but usually have an underlying theoretical basis and approach to their work, which will influence the type of Therapeutic relationship they can offer and how they approach counselling sessions.

It is worth asking your Counsellor to outline their approach.

Will counselling help any sort of problem?
Counselling does not generally involve giving advice, but it can offer you the time and opportunity to explore your situation and your options with someone who is qualified, experienced and independent.
Some Counsellors will specialise with certain issues, such as stress management, bereavement, working with individuals or couples, other Counsellors will be more general in their approach.

If there are specific issues or types of problems that a Counsellor feels they do not have the necessary skills or experience to be effective, then they may be able to assist you in finding another professional or agency that can offer more appropriate support.

What if I'm unhappy about my counsellor?
If you feel unhappy about any aspect of your counselling and it has not been possible for you to address this directly with your Counsellor, then you have the right to contact the BACP to have your concerns addressed and receive appropriate advice about your particular situation.

New patient initial consultation and treatment: from £35
Follow up treatment: from £35

www.bacp.co.uk
www.relate.org.uk
www.mind.org.uk
www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk
www.samaritans.org.uk
www.pinktherapy.com
www.sueakehurstcounselling.co.uk

I am an 'Integrative Counsellor'.

I work from a Person-Centred value base and philosophy but integrate certain theoretical aspects of psychodynamic and expressive therapies into my overall approach.

I believe that the Therapeutic relationship is important, so that as a client, you feel respected, not judged and empowered to make your own decisions. Being listened to and heard is essential if we are to feel valued and have a sense of ourselves and of our potential.

Areas of interest:
Working with Young People as well as Adults. On issues such as: Abuse, anxiety, bereavement, coping with change, dealing with loss and transitions, relationships, sexuality, and stress.

Qualifications:
Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling (Keele University) 2002
Masters in Social Work (York University) 1993

BACP Accredited
UKCP Registered

I adhere to the BACP code of ethics.

I'm an experienced person-centred counsellor used to working with individuals, both adults and young people.
Here are just some of the reasons people come to see me:

· bereavement
· loss
· anxiety
· depression
· self harming behaviours
· illness
· abuse
· school /college related problems
· sexual identity
· separation
· a sense of emptiness or alienation
· or simply a feeling that something just isn't right

As well as the Baccentre, I also offer counselling and supervision services at: Beacon Clinic, Portland Road, Great Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 2TA.

About me:
I've worked in education and health for over 20 years, focusing on counselling since 1997 and have a broad experience of working with people of all ages and from many different backgrounds. I aim to work in a way which values the uniqueness of all the people I encounter.

In addition to my private practice I worked as a counsellor in a Child and Adolescent Mental Health team until recently and continue to work in a GP practice and for the Terrence Higgins Trust. I have also been offering person centred supervision since 2003.

My areas of specialism:
I have worked in several settings so have a broad experience of counselling adults of all ages as well as adolescents.

The most usual themes of my counselling practice are anxiety, stress and depression, sense of self and lack of self confidence, bereavement, relationships, bullying and loss.

Additionally I often work with issues of identity and the impact of discrimination, chronic illness, trauma and post traumatic stress, abuse, spirituality, personal growth and development.

I aim to work with the whole person and to see each individual as a person, unique, interesting and to be respected in their complexity, whatever their reasons for coming to see me.

My professional qualifications:
- Accredited member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy).
- Registered Independent Counsellor (UKRC).
- Certificate and Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling, University of Warwick, 1998.
- Certificate in Person Centred Art Therapy, 2002.
- Certificate in Person Centred Supervision, Temenos, 2004.
To contact me, please call the BAC Centre on 0121 449 9515 or ring my mobile: 07944 394 245.

At the Baccentre, I also offer Zero Balancing sessions. For more information on this, please visit this page: Zero Balancing.

You can also find out more about me here: www.sueakehurstcounselling.co.uk

Information about Val Hill to follow shortly...