Low-cost Counselling
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Counselling is a type of talking therapy that allows a person to talk about their problems and feelings in a confidential and dependable environment. A counsellor is trained to listen with empathy (by putting themselves in your shoes). They can help you deal with any negative thoughts and feelings that you have.
Sometimes, the term ‘counselling’ is used to refer to talking therapies in general, but counselling is also a specific type of therapy in its own right. Other psychological therapies include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and relationship therapy (which could be between members of a family, a couple or work colleagues). |
Whether it is Counselling or another type of talking therapy which is provided will be down to the individual therapist and the client’s needs.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a talking therapy that can help you manage your problems by changing the way you think and behave. It is most commonly used to treat anxiety and depression, but can be useful for other mental and physical health problems.
CBT cannot remove your problems, but it can help you deal with them in a more positive way. It is based on the concept that your thoughts, feelings, physical sensations and actions are interconnected, and that negative thoughts and feelings can trap you in a vicious cycle. CBT aims to help you crack this cycle by breaking down overwhelming problems into smaller parts and showing you how to change these negative patterns to improve the way you feel.
Unlike some other talking treatments, CBT deals with your current problems, rather than focusing on issues from your past. It looks for practical ways to improve your state of mind on a daily basis.
Low-Cost Counselling at the Stress Project is between £12 – £45 per hour session and is available Monday-Thursday.
Evening and weekend appointments are also available. Please contact us for more information.
If you would like to receive Counselling, we prefer that you ask your GP or health professional to fill in our referral form. Many health professionals have copies of these forms already, otherwise they need to contact us.
Once the referral form is received, we will make an appointment with you for an assessment interview. During the assessment interview we will discuss what we can offer, and you will get to choose one of the therapies listed above. In some circumstances, we accept self referrals.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a talking therapy that can help you manage your problems by changing the way you think and behave. It is most commonly used to treat anxiety and depression, but can be useful for other mental and physical health problems.
CBT cannot remove your problems, but it can help you deal with them in a more positive way. It is based on the concept that your thoughts, feelings, physical sensations and actions are interconnected, and that negative thoughts and feelings can trap you in a vicious cycle. CBT aims to help you crack this cycle by breaking down overwhelming problems into smaller parts and showing you how to change these negative patterns to improve the way you feel.
Unlike some other talking treatments, CBT deals with your current problems, rather than focusing on issues from your past. It looks for practical ways to improve your state of mind on a daily basis.
Low-Cost Counselling at the Stress Project is between £12 – £45 per hour session and is available Monday-Thursday.
Evening and weekend appointments are also available. Please contact us for more information.
If you would like to receive Counselling, we prefer that you ask your GP or health professional to fill in our referral form. Many health professionals have copies of these forms already, otherwise they need to contact us.
Once the referral form is received, we will make an appointment with you for an assessment interview. During the assessment interview we will discuss what we can offer, and you will get to choose one of the therapies listed above. In some circumstances, we accept self referrals.
Counsellors
Litsa
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My approach above all is warm and caring. I believe that the majority of the work is done through the therapeutic relationship, and thus try and work in a sensitive and caring manner to help build trust. Part of building a good relationship may also mean the appropriate use of challenges. These challenges can sometimes bring to the surface some difficult and painful material. Such material may surface under other conditions as well, but it is important that the client feels well contained. If the client feels safe and is held well by the therapist processing such material can have a therapeutic effect.
I have trained in integrative counselling, which comprises of the psychodynamic, person-centered and psychosynthesis orientations. My approach is relational and follows the Clarkson 5-strand model: the working alliance, transference/countertransference, person-to-person, reparative and the transpersonal dimension. I offer morning appointments on Thursdays. |
Litsa
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Xanthe
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I am a trainee counselling psychologist, undertaking a doctoral programme at Regent's University, London. I see clients on the low-cost therapy programme at the Stress Project every Tuesday.
My approach integrates various different forms of therapy to provide the maximum benefit to clients. The focus of the sessions is up to you - we can explore any aspects of the past, present and future, looking together at your relationships with yourself, others and the wider world. As your therapist, my role is to help you to feel safe, secure and understood. The aim of the sessions will be to help pave the way together for addressing feelings of sadness, anger, anxiety or fear, and managing life's 'givens' including freedom, responsibility, choice and finitude. All sessions are confidential. |
Xanthe
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Maureen
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I am a qualified humanistic integrative counsellor with over 15 years of counselling experience and adhere to BACP code of ethics.
I strongly believe that counselling helps when we feel that the demands of life seem to outweigh our ability to cope. Talking therapy will provide you with help to explore issues that may be affecting you. I provide you with a space to enable you to feel empowered and supported. We will work together to explore your feelings, whilst ensuring you are given every opportunity to just ‘be’. You can bring to the session any issues and/or feelings that you want to share. You will be listened to, and supported, throughout your counselling process and during your personal growth. I can help with issues such as anxiety/depression trauma, relationship issues, family difficulties, abuse, self esteem and confidence building. What invariably every person who attends counselling is looking for, is to feel better! The benefits of therapy are far reaching and include:
I've a Diploma in humanistic counselling (CPPD), an Advanced diploma in humanistic counselling (CPPD) and vast experience of supporting adults, young people and children with a range of different issues. |
Maureen
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Sue
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I have been working as a qualified counsellor at the Stress Project since 2008. I am a member of the BACP and am on their register of counsellors. I work as an integrative counsellor and use a person centred approach also using person centred art therapy when appropriate. I aim to work in an inclusive way with people of different backgrounds and cultures. I work in a respectful, open and flexible way, often working with a diverse client group addressing issues such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, life stage changes and mental health issues. I also provide a low cost scheme for student counsellors and can offer short-term solution-focused work but am equally happy to look at issues on a deeper level working on a long-term basis. I work on Thursday late afternoons. |
Sue
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Dilek
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I am experienced and qualified person-centred counsellor and psychotherapist with a Level 5 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, and a registered Member of BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) (MBACPReg.)
I offer empathy, non-judgemental safe space and genuine encounter to my clients. I believe in a equal therapeutic relationship in counselling - respecting and accepting you as who you are and to accompany you in your journey to where you want to go in your life. Therapy can help you to gain more awareness about yourself, your identity, and the patterns in life - encouraging you to remove the obstacles in front of you to achieve your potential through personal growth. I started as a volunteer counsellor at the Stress Project and I have been working with clients who’ve had mental health difficulties such as depression, anxiety, panic-attack, self-harm, suicidal thoughts - with underlying issues such as childhood sexual abuse, domestic violence, confidence issues, bereavement, work harassment, redundancy, unemployment, terminal illness, relationship breakdown, abortion, bullying and family relationships. I welcome people from every walk of life - who are willing to commit and can engage in therapy. I abide by the BACP code of ethics in my practice and have committed to regular and ongoing personal and professional development and have a regular supervision. I work Friday and Saturday mornings. |
Dilek
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Valerie
I am a qualified counsellor with a warm, attentive approach, and I offer counselling on an open-ended basis. The decision to come to counselling is a proactive one and it takes courage to acknowledge that you need some support, so it is important that counselling meets your needs. I offer support with a range of issues, such as: depression, anxiety/panic attacks, sexual abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, domestic abuse, trauma, bereavement and loss, work stress, low self-esteem, demands of student life, difficulties with coping, identity, sexuality, family conflict, relationship issues/breakdown, addiction, thoughts about harming yourself and/or ending your life, fertility issues, pregnancy issues, postnatal depression, menopause, health related issues. I provide a private and confidential space in which you can feel safe, heard and supported throughout your counselling process. I do this by being genuine in our relationship, by accepting you as you are, by being non-judgemental and by offering you empathy and respect. You decide what you bring to each session and we can work at a pace that suits you to begin looking at the impact of your experiences. This usually involves us gently exploring and examining your thoughts, feelings, beliefs and patterns of behaviour; often rooted in your personal history. This can help you to achieve deeper insight and a heightened self awareness; which is the catalyst for change and personal growth to occur. It can also improve self-esteem and create an opportunity for you to discover and strengthen your inner resources, as you learn to develop new ways of coping, new ways of being and resilience; ultimately taking control of your life! I am a registered member of the BACP and I abide by their ethical framework for good practice. |
Valerie
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Sahir
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I am an Integrative Therapist drawing from Person Centred and Psychodynamic theoretical concepts. Through my experience I have found that a therapeutic relationship is unlike any other relationship and a huge aspect of this is Trust and Confidentiality.
Through our journey together we can explore and identify things along your life timeline which will allow you to grasp a better understanding of who you are as a person and what it is you would like to achieve and where you will like to be in life. I have experience with working with a range of different clients covering a range of different issues and concerns, which could be but not limited to; Anxiety, Stress, Depression, Addictions, substance misuse unwanted thoughts, work related issues, student life, health related issues. relationships, family break down, social isolation, loneliness, life break down, self esteem, raising confidence and self belief, exploring sexuality, exploring spirituality, exploring identity and culture, unhealthy patterns. |
Sahir
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Leonidas
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I am a qualified Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist and a Registered, and accredited, member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). I am also a Verified Therapist with Plus Guidance.
I hold a Master in Arts (MA) in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy and a Foundation Certificate in Counselling and Psychotherapy from Regent’s University London (RUL). Moreover, I entered the field of the mind by acquiring an MSc in Psychology from the University of Hertfordshire and my primary background was in nursing to where I hold a Diploma in Nursing. I work in an eclectic way, drawing from some of the major psychotherapeutic approaches like Psychodynamic, Existential and Humanistic. Therapy is challenging but I aim to work with you offering a safe and confidential environment. After years of clinical practice in the field, and having worked with clients from various backgrounds and ethnicity, I welcome diversity and rest assured that I will listen closely to your story and unique personal experience. I will not make diversity an issue. However, I welcome your story around it if you feel it has become an issue in your life. Your safety and protection are on the top of my list. Some of the areas I work with include; Depression, Stress, Bullying, Bereavement, Adoption, Family issues, Low self-esteem, Self confidence, Relationships, Career issues, Loneliness and worry. |
Leo
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Maria
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I am a qualified music therapist with 20 years’ experience working with children and adults with disabilities, adults with mental health issues and people living with dementia. I completed my MA in music therapeutic studies at the University of the West of England in 2018, which is where I began studying Guided Imagery & Music (GIM). I am now a Level 3 advanced trainee with primary trainer Leslie Bunt, and am regularly supervised on my work.
Guided Imagery & Music (GIM) is a type of music psychotherapy that involves listening to specially chosen programmes of music, in a deeply relaxed state. The music acts as a co-therapist, accessing the inner world in a similar way to Jung’s Active Imagination technique. By accessing these creative, deeper layers of consciousness, the client is able to find different perspectives on presenting issues, and discover hidden resources which may support them in their day to day lives. A typical session lasts 1.5 hours and begins with a short discussion about the client’s current state, followed by an induction which focuses on the breath, to help the client relax. The therapist then chooses an appropriate programme of music (which has been developed and tested over many years), designed to aid the client to work with the presenting issues identified in the preliminary conversation. For example, there are programmes that focus on grieving, being in transition, or searching for something, and others that may offer containment and support, as in the comforting and nurturing programmes. During this part of the session the therapist and client maintain a verbal dialogue about the client’s experiences with the music, which is reflected on after the music part of the session. Integration may also be aided by the use of mandala art work, to help the client anchor the experience, make sense of it in relation to their presenting symptoms or issues. I have also undertaken mentalisation training with ICAPT, recently completed a course on Jungian Clinical Concepts with The Centre for Applied Jung, and the Knowledge Understanding Framework for Personality Disorder within the NHS. I am a member of the British Association for Music Therapy, am registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, and am an Associate Member of the Association of Music Imagery. I strongly believe in the power of music to reach people, and have seen time and again how its creative power touches us in ways that are least expected, helping us to find new solutions to life’s issues. I find it a privilege to accompany clients on their creative journey, and believe strongly in the importance of offering a safe secure space to explore whatever the client wishes to bring to the session. GIM is suitable for people suffering with anxiety, stress and depression, and can be modified for those who have suffered trauma. It can also be helpful in aiding relaxation and pain management, but is not suitable for people currently experiencing a psychosis. This will be available from September 2019 and on a referral basis only. |
Maria
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