Counselling and Psychotherapy in Brighton
Welcome to my counselling and existential psychotherapy services. I offer a
professional counselling service in Brighton, East Sussex.
As a fully qualified and accredited member of the British Association of
Counselling and Psychotherapy, I abide by their code of ethics. Here then
is an opportunity for you to explore problems and concerns in a safe and
supportive way.
As you are probably aware, there are many different approaches to
counselling and psychotherapy. In Brighton, there is a particularly high
number of people in the field, covering a wide range of methods.
You can find out more about my approach by reading the
How I Work page.
If you want to find out more about counselling in Brighton generally, you will
find a link to the BACP website on the
Links page.
How I Work
My aim is to work in a non-judgemental way. I am trained in cognitive existential
psychotherapy, the fundamental principals of which underlie the way I work. For example,
respect for individuals and differences. I take a creative approach to working with my
clients and focus on the relationship before anything else. Research supports the importance
of the connection between the client and therapist and the relationship that forms. This
does make a difference. To this purpose it is worth shopping around to find a therapist who
you feel you could potentially talk to comfortably.
I believe therapy should be about providing a supportive and compassionate environment
where truths can be discovered and where courage maybe required to confront the challenges
therapy can uncover (difficult feelings and thoughts). These could involve how you relate
to yourself, others and situations outside the therapy room.
My intention is to be as fully present as possible in the session in order to focus on
these challenges and to provide supportive listening. We may discover you want to change
or develop and we may encourage and ignite new found ways of being.
You are the author of your own life.
What you can Expect
I work with a wide range of needs as a cognitive therapist, using existential therapy as
background to this. I often get enquiries from those interested in personal development
and life style changes (life coaching). More specifically these are some of the issues I
am prepared to work with:-
Addiction therapy
Bereavement and loss
Depression therapy
Emotional difficulties
Crisis
Loss of sense of self
Problems caused by violence and abuse
Relationship therapy - a chance to explore problems you maybe having
Sexuality
Stress therapy
Anxiety counselling
Work difficulties
Family problems
Improving self-esteem
Confidence building
Alcohol counselling
Drugs therapy
Substance misuse
What are the differences between existential counselling and psychotherapy? Counselling
usually focuses on a specific issue. It tends to be short term (1-30 sessions) depending
on the individual, whereas psychotherapy involves more in-depth work than counselling and
may take longer. Psychotherapy may be more general, concerned with the person's feelings and
thought processes rather than specific problems. Psychotherapy may also look at childhood
abuse and provides exploration of a range of choices; how we choose to be in this world,
personal and spiritual growth, and may ask the question who am I?
Counselling Contract
If you wish, you can download, read and sign my
Counselling Contract
before starting any sessions. Please read the following before doing so.
Confidentiality Statement
Sessions are strictly confidential except under the following circumstances...
1. From time to time I will discuss my work with a clinical supervisor. This is standard
practice and helps me to work as well as I can with you. In this process your identity is not
revealed. My supervisor is bound by the BACP's Ethical Framework for good practice.
2. Where I believe that you are at risk of seriously harming yourself or others, I
reserve the right to break confidentially in order to prevent harm. However, I would only do
this in extreme circumstances and would always discuss it with you first before taking any action.
3. Where I would be liable to civil or criminal court procedure if information was not
disclosed (e.g. terrorist activities).
Record Keeping and Data Protection
I may keep short notes on you and our sessions such as background information and issues
worked on. Notes are kept securely and anonymously. Notes will be destroyed one year after
our contract has ended.
I may ask your permission to tape record the session. This will allow me to reflect on the
details of what we have discussed. If you agree, you may change your mind at any time and I
will erase the recording accordingly.
For the purpose of further accreditation and continuing professional development, I may submit
written or taped material of some sessions for evaluation. Any such written material will be
disguised to protect your identity and will only be reviewed by clinicians bound by a suitable
Code of Ethics.
I abide by BACP's (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) Ethical Framework for
good practice in counselling and psychotherapy.
Counselling and Psychotherapy Sessions
Each session lasts 50 minutes. We will discuss the length of the contract and the fee at the
initial meeting. The fee is open to review once a year, usually in January.
Cancellations
I require at least one full week's notice for a cancellation, otherwise the full fee will
be charged. If you cannot make a session, I will make every effort to fit you in another time.
My Background and Training in Counselling and Psychotherapy
I have been working as a counsellor in Brighton for the past 4 years and have
been involved in training and development in psychotherapy since 1985. I
have a combined total of 25 years experience as a counsellor, trainer and
Project Manager. I have worked both in the publishing industry and in the voluntary
sector for over ten years (MIND and Sussex Alcohol and Substance Misuse).
I worked as Longhill School's Honorary Counsellor working for the Youth Advisory
Council (YMCA) for a year.
I am a qualified psychotherapist with a diploma in existential psychotherapy and
counselling from Regent's College, London 1998. I am trained in cognitive behavioural
therapy (CBT has a proven track record of success and is the most popular model of
counselling in the NHS) and short-term solution focused therapy, and have received
specialist training in addiction counselling and working with young people
(OCS Diploma 2007). I am committed to on-going continued professional development.
As part of my continued development (and as a requirement of all BACP accredited
therapists) I am undertaking on-going professional supervision on a monthly basis. I
practice in accordance with the Equal Opportunities Policy.
Appointments
I am based at
26 Upper Hamilton Road, Seven Dials, Brighton. The area is
well-serviced by public transport and there is metered parking nearby.
(See the
Map)
You can email me through the contact page, or telephone me on one of the following
numbers:-
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Tel:
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01273 507130
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Mob:
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07719926912
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Fees
The first meeting is £20 and it is an opportunity for you to explore whether
you would like to continue with existential/cognitive therapy. During this session we
will talk about what you want from therapy and how many sessions we think would be
appropriate. We will also discuss cost – charges are on a sliding scale between
£35 and £50 a session. £25 for OAP's and low earners and special
rates between £27 and £35 can be negotiated for students. This is for a
50 minute session for individual clients.
