Everybody entering a therapy relationship will each have their own unique and individual experience, with some able to accept and respond to issues or stressors easier than others (this is ‘normal’ and OK!). A counsellor in private practice I do not usually set a limit to the amounts of sessions, though some may prefer this, and I too may suggest a frequency and duration. Whilst client and therapist may utilise core CBT principles or its approaches or other ideas of other theoretical orientation within the 1-hour session, more importantly is the relationship between both parties, enabling a less directive and still, focused session and therapy. Likely, material will unfold which requires prompt attention and addressing, possibly extending the course of treatment further. I am open to and have capacity for working on a short-term and long-term basis, maintaining a mutually agreed focus toward an expected safe therapeutic ending. I understand individuals may have clear goals in which it is preferred one may wish to attain through treatment. Although, quite often it can be hard to pinpoint a desirable outcome upon beginning therapy when experiencing a muddled view of a current distress or situation or relationship, which one is less at ease with or can see no way out (a spaghetti junction comes to mind!). My belief is that it is the process of relating, exploring, and feeling or coming into contact with oneself which through collaborative relational dialogue opens up avenues otherwise left hidden, buried or untouched. Whilst this may sound exposing and frightening (it is!), attempting to come into touch with our, to use Winnicott’s term ‘True Selves’ can enable new insight and room for opportunity to move onwards, thus resulting in a breaking free from our ‘False Selves’; pleasing others or being what others want you to be, ridding oneself of old/current habits, or putting a stop to repeating unhelpful behaviours or unhealthy relationships, making room for the ‘Real You!’. This, enabling you to maximise your opportunities and growth. About Me Cornwall born and bred; I have lived here all my life in various areas of the County. I enjoy living now in the North East of Cornwall. Cornwall is known and adored by many for its wide open and sandy beaches, hidden coastal walks and wooded areas as well as the open greenery. Even the weather is uncertain amongst the seasons adding to Cornwall’s uniqueness. Within Cornwall’s landscape I get my enjoyment from walking and running, swimming and taking in the tranquillity Cornwall has to offer. When not outdoors I enjoy reading for personal pleasure and professional development, also listening and attempting to play music.
I am a male counsellor in private practice, working from my private office based in Bodmin, Cornwall. I am qualified and fully insured to practice in the UK, and a registered and accredited member of The National Counselling Society.
- Dealing with Distress: Working with Suicide and Self-Harm
- PREVENT Training (Risks of radicalisation)
- Seminar led by Graham Music, Reflection on Trauma: Exploring clinical approaches through the lens of neurobiology, attachment theory, psychoanalysis and the body.
- Introduction to the Site for Contemporary Psychoanalysis training in Clinical Psychoanalysis.
- Mental Health First Aid.
- Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST).
Qualifications currently studying towards:
Studying and in training towards a Level 5 Post-Qualifying Diploma for Working Therapeutically with Children and Young People.
Remaining two years of the BSc Honours Psychology.
Qualifications achieved:
Level 4 Diploma in Counselling Practice
Level 4 Certificate in Approaches to working with Trauma
Level 4 Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Theory
Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Applied Psychology
Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies - Person Centred Counselling.
Level 3 National Vocational Qualification in Health and Social Care
Level 2 National Vocational Qualification in Health and Social Care
Aset Diploma in Criminology.
GCSE’s: Math, English, Science, Information Technology, Design Technology, Religious studies, Art and Design, Business Studies.
Current Employment/training and Duties:
Counsellor at James Alexander Naylor Private Practice, Bodmin/St Austell/Cornwall:
Assessment and development of treatment plans for clients based on diagnosed condition, clients’ wishes, and other lifestyle aspects.
Use of cognitive behavioural therapy techniques to address mental health conditions and improve client outcomes during a crisis.
Careful exploration through clients’ history and present issues, to identify sense of meaning and self or identity.
Referrals taken from the individual, community mental health teams or GP, as well as affiliations with a local (AAAIB) counselling service and Darren Bottrill (Psychotherapist).
Counsellor (sub-contractor) CBT Clinics, Nationwide, UK.
Short-term remote EAP/Insurance treatment.
Development of treatment plans for clients based on diagnosed condition, clients’ wishes, and other lifestyle aspects.
Use of cognitive behavioural therapy techniques to address mental health conditions and improve client outcomes during a crisis.
Careful exploration through clients’ history and present issues, to identify sense of meaning and self or identity.
Trainee Therapist with CLEAR (Children Linked to and Experiencing Abusive Relationships), Cornwall:
Studying and practicing towards a Post-Qualifying Diploma for Working Therapeutically with Children and Young People.
Supporting individuals experienced/ing abuse, neglect and emotional trauma.
Previous Experience and Duties:
NHS Support Worker; Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Early Intervention in Psychosis, Bodmin:
Supporting individuals through their first presentation with psychosis, delivering psycho education and promoting recovery, making sense of and coming to terms with psychological distress and symptoms. Encouraging healthy lifestyles, social inclusion and promoting development.
Referral Coordinator, Private Secure Mental Healthcare Ambulance Service, Cornwall:
24 hour on-call service, taking referrals for the transfer of patients either informal or formally detained under a section of the UK Mental Health Act, from community/police custody or hospital into another hospital as required, including forensic/secure hospitals and prisons, both regionally and nationally, including repatriation to home communities.
Liaising with psychiatrist, approved mental health professionals, other health and social care teams/staff, as well as police and other emergency services.
Identifying and developing/improving service provision, through analysis of recorded information, i.e. patient records, physical risk and company risk, quotes for public service and private transfer funding, auditing, and management reviews and meetings.
Recovery Coordinator, Addaction, Truro/Looe/Liskeard/Bodmin:
Assessment and development of treatment plans for clients based on diagnosed addiction, clients’ wishes, and other lifestyle aspects associated with working toward recovery from alcohol, prescribed or illicit substance misuse.
Used cognitive behavioural therapy techniques and other psychosocial evidenced-based models to address mental health issues/conditions and improve patient outcomes during a crisis, such as psychosocial difficulties, i.e. housing, benefits, employment, criminal justice service, communication skills.
Assessment, and liaison with specialist addiction doctors setting up detox and relapse prevention treatment plans, for differing levels of detox/rehabilitation requirements.
Healthcare Assistant, NHS - Cornwall Partnership Foundation Trust, Bodmin, Cornwall:
supporting individuals with acute, chronic or severe and enduring mental health illness;
safe handling of violence and aggression;
enhanced communication skills with direct patient care, and multi agencies/professionals;
maintained mandatory and voluntary training and established a leading role.
Prisoner Custody Officer, GeoAmey, Bodmin Magistrates, Cornwall:
Responsible for the safe handling and care of prisoners/custodies awaiting court appearance;
professional conduct in a court setting;
maintaining human rights of custodies and working within national and regional legislation and local policy;
appropriate and safe use of custody cells and specialist vehicles to transfer custodies safely;
handling and completion of legal secure and confidential documentation.
Student - University of Plymouth, Knowledge Spa, Truro, Cornwall:
A student of Mental Health Nursing, studying HE Diploma.
Academic, ethical and practical skills gained, not completed.
Spectrum – Autism and Learning Disability, Cornwall:
Health and social care role supporting individuals with learning disabilities/Autism and Aspergers Syndrome living in supported residential setting;
developed communication skills;
team working skills, developed my ability to work on an individual basis;
managed my time to obtain health and social care NVQ's levels 2 & 3;
encouraging and promoting individuals' rights to activities, life and social inclusion.
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