My Approach to Parent Carer Counselling
How counselling and psychotherapy can help?
*Feel supported with what's going on in your life right now
*Express and process feelings such as sadness, anger, guilt and loss
*Building self esteem and reducing self criticism
*Explore your identity outside being a parent carer, reconnect with things you enjoy
*Process trauma so you feel more present and grounded (there's been growing research that some parent carers experience trauma. I have experience of working with people affected both by big one off traumas and from ongoing trauma)
*Strategies for calming any overwhelm or anxiety
*Understand patterns in your relationships and feel more connected to the people you care about
*Connect with your needs, values, boundaries and goals
*Tapping into your inner resources, helping to prevent burnout and improving your general emotional wellbeing
My background:
My qualifications include
-
BSc Psychology
-
Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling (2010)
-
Postgraduate Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Studies (2015)
-
I've also done lots of additional training workshops. This includes Compassion Focused Therapy for postnatal depression, perfectionism, working online, Compassion Focused Therapy for anger, Fundamentals of Internal Family Systems: for trauma, grief and anxiety.
-
I'm currently studying an online course on Somatic Therapy for complex trauma
I tailor therapy to each individual depending on their needs and goals and draw on approaches such as Compassion Focused therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Relational Psychotherapy. Some clients like quite a practical approach and we can explore relaxation or somatic approaches (the mind-body connection).
I've been privileged to work with lots of clients over the years, including four years in the NHS as a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist. Many of these clients were seeking therapy for anxiety, trauma, loss and depression. I ran groups for carers and for women experiencing postnatal depression and anxiety. Outside of my counselling roles, I've helped manage a supported living service for adults who are autistic and have learning disabilities and their families. I have volunteered with mums of babies with Downs Syndrome. Currently I work in private practice alongside being a mum and parent carer.
How I got here?
I found out during the pregnancy of my first child that they had a genetic condition. It was a difficult time making sense of being a new mum to a disabled child. I soon came to understand the exhaustion, uncertainty and juggling lots of different appointments! Whilst I was already a therapist and had a good understanding of emotional wellbeing, I found going to see a counsellor, really helped me to navigate this experience. From this, I've felt passionate about offering therapy specifically to other mums and dads who might need a bit of extra support. Whilst my experience will look very different to yours, this personal perspective can help inform my therapeutic approach and bring warmth and relatability to the sessions.