I gained my BACP Accredited qualification in Integrative Psychotherapeutic Counselling in July 2005 after commencing my studies in counselling at what is now Central Sussex College in January 2002. Since then I have worked with adults, young adults, teenagers and children gaining a wealth of experience and became an Accredited member of the BACP in 2008.
Due to my work with children, young people and vulnerable adults I am also trained in Safeguarding issues, making sure that I attend continuing professional development, (CPD) to update my knowledge regularly. I have been fully DBS checked and therefore hold a current and enhanced DBS certificate, which requires an annual update.
In 2013 I gained a Diploma in Supervision for Counsellors, Psychotherapists and Allied Healthcare Professionals via Psychotherapy in the Home Counties and Make A Difference Training – see also Cathy Davey Training (https://cathydaveytraining.co.uk)
In 2018 I worked with Babette Rothschild attending her 12-day training on Somatic Trauma Therapy. Here I learned how to manage trauma safely when working with people who may have had experiences leaving them with PTSD, (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). This training has been invaluable in my day to day work as a therapist teaching me how to notice when a client’s Autonomic Nervous System, (ANS), has been activated and then how to help them to manage, as well as understand the ‘symptoms’ that arise. Not only for those who have PTSD but also for everyone who has experienced some of the traumas that life presents.
Using the skills and knowledge I learned from this training I have found it extremely helpful to show people how to understand what their bodies are doing as well as to understand why. All of us have a Fight, Flight or Freeze mechanism triggered by a variety of frightening and at times life threatening circumstances. Helping others to understand that we have this system there for a reason, as well as how to take back control of their bodies and the symptoms that arise making them feel out of control at times, is extremely rewarding.
Qualifications:
BACP Accredited Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapeutic Counselling – including a certificate in Short Term Counselling
Certificate in Couples Counselling – Time2Relate – Couples Counselling.
Certificate in Working Creatively with Children and Young People – Hove YMCA Therapeutic Services
BACP Accreditation
Diploma in Supervision for Counsellors, Psychotherapists and Allied Health Professionals – Experiential Diploma in Supervision
Certificate in Somatic Trauma Therapy – Babette Rothschild MSW/LSCW
I continue to train to improve my work as a counsellor and attend regular CPD in accordance with the BACP code of ethics, often exceeding their annual requirements. As such I also have CPD certificates in:
Clinical Assessment
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy – CBT
Group Work – as well as Therapeutic Group Work with Children and Young People
Couple Therapy using the Arts
Trauma Therapy
Working Systemically
Working with Domestic Abuse
Resilience
Working with survivors of Sexual Abuse
Clinical Supervision in the 21st Century
Pharmacology
Safeguarding – which is updated regularly both for working with children, teenagers and vulnerable adults
Data Protection & GDPR
Eating Disorders as well as working with disordered eating