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WHO DO I WORK WITH?

I work with young people from 12 years upwards and individuals and couples of all ages. I work with a huge variety of issues and would welcome discussion with you or your children to explore challenges you may be facing.

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​I promote equal opportunity and welcome all ages, races, sexual orientation, gender, disabilities and religious beliefs.

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I offer a free 30-minute consultation to help us assess whether I am the right Counsellor for you.  If we meet and I feel I am not the best counsellor to help you with your concerns, I will guide you in the process of finding the appropriate support and care for you. This may involve referring you to another type of therapy or organisation.

WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE

I provide a safe and supportive environment for young people to explore their concerns. I work with complete confidentiality to cultivate a feeling of respect and safety.  I do however, understand the value of transparency and open communication in certain situations, for both the young person and the parents or carers.  I would always check with the young person what information they felt they wanted to share. We would then discuss how they would like to do this.  Usually I would invite the parent(s) or carer(s) to join us for part or all of a session.

COUPLES AND FAMILY COUNSELLING

Family life can be very demanding and relationships can suffer. It is easy to get stuck in negative patterns of communication and behaviours. This can create emotional disconnection and distance between partners and family members.  I offer a safe place for you to come together to explore challenges you may be experiencing in your relationship.  As you begin to recognise and change these damaging behaviours you will begin to emotionally reconnect with each other.

INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING

Sometimes challenges can feel overwhelming and unmanageable. It can be difficult to find support that is confidential and safe. I aim to develop a relationship and environment that is open, non- judgmental and shows empathy with complete confidentiality. I see every person as unique and individual, as are our life situations. I respect and value these differences. I would work with you to help unravel issues, increase awareness and discover new ways to move forward in life.

EXPERIENCE WITH ISSUES

There are many issues which I can help with, here is a list of some of the things which I have experience with:

Abortion, Abuse, Addiction(s), Affairs and betrayals, Anger management, Anxiety, Asperger's syndrome, Attachment disorder, Bereavement, Bullying, Cancer, Career, Carer support, Depression, Disabilities, Domestic violence, Eating disorders, Emotional abuse, Family issues, Gender dysphoria, Generalised anxiety disorder, Infertility, Low self-confidence, Low self-esteem, Miscarriage, Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), Passive aggressive behaviour, Physical abuse, Pregnancy and birth, Redundancy, Relationship issues, Self-harm, Separation and divorce, Sex problems, Sexual abuse, Sexuality, Spirituality, Stress, Suicidal thoughts, Trauma, Work-related stress, Young carers

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THE COUNSELLING EXPERIENCE

When the other person is hurting, confused, troubled, anxious, alienated, terrified; or when he or she is doubtful of self-worth, uncertain as to identity, then understanding is called for. The gentle and sensitive companionship of an empathic stance… provides illumination and healing. In such situations deep understanding is, I believe, the most precious gift one can give to another.

Carl Rogers

MY APPROACH

There are many different approaches and schools of thought within the counselling world. They use different languages and perspectives but are all working to the same aim of enabling healing and change.

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I work using the Person-Centred Approach developed from the work of the psychologist Carl Rogers in the 1940s-1960s. This approach encourages and believes in the innate potential that we all have as human beings to overcome our challenges and move forward with our lives. To enable this process, I work to provide and develop a relationship and psychological environment that provides empathy, unconditional acceptance and transparency. In such an environment, healing, change and development can safely take place.

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I will follow your lead within this process encouraging autonomy and choice. I believe each one of us is unique and has the potential and power within us that can lead us to self-discovery and self-awareness. This in turn can enable us to resolve our own pain and difficulties over time. Because we are all unique and different I do integrate other counselling theories and techniques into the work we would do. I would tailor this around your personal needs and characteristics.

I also use Transactional Analysis, Focusing, Mindfulness techniques and the more creative Gestalt approach to increase understanding and explore issues. These methods are really just another language you can use and experience to express feelings and emotions. This can be a valuable alternative to talking for some people.

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I will suggest using some of these creative methods if I feel they can help the work and only if you feel comfortable and have agreed. This time belongs to you and I encourage you to choose how you would prefer to work.

MY QUALIFICATIONS

  • BSc(Hons) Psychology – University of Birmingham

  • Advanced Diploma in Humanistic Counselling – Alton College

  • NCFE Level 3 Counselling Skills and Theory – Alton college

  • NCFE Level 2 Counselling Skills – Alton college

  • NCFE Level 2 Mental Health Awareness – Eastleigh College

  • BACP Accredited Counsellor/Psychotherapist

  • Certificate in Couples Counselling - Basingstoke Counselling Service

  • Certificate: Working with Shame – Simon Cavicchia

  • Certificate: Working with Couples – Rosie Alexander

  • Certificate: Psychosexual Issues – Carol Graham

  • Certificate: Mindfulness and Focussing – Russell Kendell and John Threadgold

  • Certificate: Bereavement and Loss – Woking Hospice

  • Certificate: End of Life Empathy – Woking Hospice

  • Certificate: Spirituality in Palliative care- Woking Hospice

  • Certificate: How to deal with Pornography addiction – Dr Rosa Hubbard-Ford

  • Certificate in Emergency/Trauma Intervention - Jonathon Lake

  • Certificate: Working with Rainbow Maps - Andrew Thomas

  • Certificate: Understanding Parental-Child Relationships through the Meaning of the Child Interview - Dr Benedict Grey

  • Certificate: Addictions: Neuroscience and Recovery Therapy - Mark Dempster

  • Certificate: Narcissistic Injuries, Neglect and Relational Trauma - Christiane Sanderson

SOME FEEDBACK FROM MY CLIENTS

I ask my clients for feedback at the conclusion of our sessions. I have quoted a few of them below, completely anonymised for confidentiality reasons.

“Rewarding, life changing, at times painful and very challenging but with necessity. Healing and powerful. Validating. I learned so much and I felt cared for.”

 

“I would not have the life I have now if I hadn’t gone through counselling.”

 

“A thoroughly uplifting and positive experience. I’ve been given tools to use that will benefit me now and in the future. Much as some of the topics we discussed were painful, I felt that I was in a safe enough environment to be able to address them successfully.”

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“It’s hard to put into words how much I have been helped and given tools to help me with moments of anxiety and depression. I would recommend Fiona to anyone.”

 

“My experience with you was very positive, you helped me to see and understand myself in a way that I never have before. You helped me to see light when my life felt very dark. I wouldn’t have got through this last year and been able to make the positive changes I have made without your help.

 

“Very positive and helpful. I felt accepted, worthy and loved throughout which really made all the difference for me.”

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"I found the experience really positive and feel much more in control of my life now."

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"Fiona expertly guided and supported me through many areas of who I am and shone a spotlight on my learned thinking and how this resulted in over 25 years of anxiety. I have never felt more content and have a greater positive mindset. Thank you Fiona, you have been transformational!"

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"Fiona has truly inspired and helped me turn my life around. If anyone needs support and understanding with issues or life I would strongly recommend her and already have to many people. Thank you!"

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"My counselling experience has been invaluable. I have felt listened to and have developed my self-awareness. I have learned so much about myself and have learnt to be more fluid, have open communication and to live a more full life in the present."

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"I'm a chatty person in general and thought I was more self-aware than average, so the process of therapy was surprisingly revealing. It really is an interesting process."

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