After having counselling of my own when I was a teenager I knew that becoming a counsellor my self would be something I would persue.
Before qualifying in 2006 I worked in retail management for approximately ten years and briefly worked in a college learning centre before moving to Coventry in 2003. During my time in retail I experienced difficulties and once again found my self engaging in person centred counselling. This was when I realised I wanted to train as a person centred counsellor.
As someone who has received and provided person centred counselling I can see from a personal and professional level the benefits this way of working can bring.
Education
Before moving to Coventry I completed an introductory counselling certificate and a level two certificate course in counselling skills and studies.
I qualified as counsellor and psychotherapist in 2006 when I awarded my BACP accredited Diploma in Person Centred Counselling and Psychotherapy from the University of Warwick.
In 2008 I completed the University of Birmingham's Introductory Practitioner's Course in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) which was also accredited by the BACP.
Counselling Experience
Before qualifying as a counsellor/psychotherapist I worked as a volunteer counsellor for a number of organisations including Cruse Bereavement Care, Terrence Higgins Trust, Freshwinds LGBT Project Birmingham, Relate and a number of educational establishments in Coventry.
After qualifying I continued to work as a volunteer counsellor and once I gained suitable experience I started to practice as a private counsellor/psychotherapist in 2007. During this time I also worked at a private therapy centre and ran the centre's counselling service and also provided private counselling to Coventry City Council and delivered various workshops on issues such as managing boundaries and working ethically.
I returned to Leeds in 2009 and continued to work privately where I gained suffient hours and experience to apply for BACP accreditation which was awarded to me in late 2009. Being accredited means my practice has been deemed sufficiently ethical and professional by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
Since working as an accredited counsellor I have provided private counselling for ITV, a number of trainee counsellors and a variety of Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) including Retail Trust and Health Assured.
As well as working as a private counsellor I also coordinate a project which supports boys and young men who are being sexually exploited, deliver workshops on sexuality awareness and facilitate a continuous professional development (CPD) group for private counsellors.
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