Psychotherapeutic and Outdoor Counselling in Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire
Approach and Qualifications
I am an integrative psychotherapeutic counsellor. This means we can use a wide range of ideas and therapeutic modalities to inform how we work together. You are an individual and so the therapy that will work for you will depend on your experiences, personality and therapeutic goals. We can collaborate to find what works.
Alongside this integrative lens I have a primary modality that I am trained in and use, and if this resonates with you we can use this in our work together. It is called ‘Transactional Analysis’ (TA). TA is based in equality, compassion and autonomy and says “I believe you have the wisdom you need within you and I will work with you to help you find it”.
It offers a framework for understanding how a person’s past can show up in their present day (for example, as limiting beliefs, coping strategies, overwhelm and anxiety) and gives a range of tools for exploring this. Once a client develops their understanding of how their past shows up in their present, TA gives the client strategies for changing this, if they want. This process could be summed up as “exploring, understanding, relearning, healing”.
Therapeutic approaches I sometimes integrate into my work:
Please be assured there is no expectation that you should or should want to engage with all or indeed any of these approaches - they are there as options but how we work is completely up to you.
- A trauma informed approach that prioritises safety, trust and empowerment.
- A relational way of working which focuses on the development of an authentic and supportive relationship.
- Nature Connection - you can read more about this here.
- Mindfulness - through awareness and acceptance mindfulness techniques can support us in developing self-compassion, reduce stress and foster a deeper connection to ourselves, others and the wider-world.
- Existential philosophy, spirituality and meaning.
- Somatic and movement based practices - I believe experiences are stored in the body as much as they are stored in the mind and that movement and body-based practices can be a powerful way to work through psychological tensions.
- Creative work - We may use drawing, clay, metaphor or guided imagery if you choose to.
- ‘Parts work’ - Parts work is based on the idea that individuals have different parts of themselves and that those parts can be in conflict. I find it can sometimes be useful to use the language of parts work to facilitate a deeper exploration of your internal experience.
- Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) aka ‘tapping’. Tapping is an evidence based method for supporting your nervous system to help reduce stress, anxiety, trauma, pain, and other emotional or physical issues. If you want to, we can use EFT as a complementary tool to support you in your journey. You can read more about it and the evidence behind it here.
- The ‘Power, Threat, Meaning Framework’ (PTMF) - the PTMF is a model for understanding psychological distress that is non-pathologising. This means it does not look through the lens of mental ‘illness’, or see emotional difficulties as disorders or flaws. Instead it sees them as understandable responses to the environment, relationships, or past experiences. It asks the question “what has happened to you?” rather than “what is wrong with you?”
Qualifications
I am a registered psychotherapeutic counsellor with the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) which is on the Professional Standards Authority accredited register. I adhere to their code of ethics which can be found here.
I hold a Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling from the Northern Guild for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
I hold a BSc (hons) in Neuroscience from the University of Glasgow.
I have attended the ‘Taking Therapy Outside’ workshops held by Hayley Marshall at the Centre for Natural Reflection.
I hold an Outdoor First Aid Certificate.
I am working towards completion of the ‘Certificate in Advanced Wilderness Therapeutic Approaches’ with eQe Outdoors, accredited by the Institute of Outdoor Learning.
I have completed EFT practitioner training level 1 & 2 and am working towards accreditation with EFT International.
Please take a look at my ‘thinking about starting counselling?’ page. If you would like to know more or to get in touch.