Hello I'm Abi

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I think of therapy as a walk which you have invited me to share. My job is not to tell you which route to take or which path to follow, it is to be by your side for every step, drawing your attention to things you may not usually notice or take time to really acknowledge.

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Some clients are nervous or even fearful of therapy and often just the thought of talking about difficult issues can feel upsetting. Whilst I believe that our experiences, particularly in childhood, lay the foundations for the way we live our lives, and you are absolutely free to share anything in our sessions, without fear of judgement, I want you to know there is no requirement to talk about anything you are not ready to speak about.

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By focusing on feelings not details, the information you hold about your experiences in your body and the use of metaphor and creative exploration, the work we do together can feel transformative but also safely held.

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Many of my clients have experienced severe or enduring trauma which is often replayed in their relationships and impacts their self worth, leading to anxiety, depression and distress. Many have complex coping strategies which may now have become hard to manage so all sessions are led by client needs, and move at the speed of trust. 

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Having volunteered at Cotswold Counselling Service in Gloucestershire for many years I started working with private clients in 2013.

 

I have a special interest in trauma in relation to long term mental ill health including diagnosis of personality disorders and also the connection between early life mental ill health and diversity of neuro-processing.

 

My work is informed by the model of Internal Family Systems and the impact that different 'parts' of us responding to difficult situations in both helpful or unhelpful ways can have on our lives.

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Since qualifying I have continued professional training undertaking a range of additional courses most recently specific training in coercive control and narcissism, gender affirming therapy and boarding school syndrome.

 

I am also a qualified online and telephone counsellor and have worked with clients online both privately and for Betterhelp. 

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I am a member of and abide by the Ethical Framework of the BACP  - British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. I am also included on the BACP Register of Counsellors & Psychotherapists - the first psychological therapists' register to be accredited under a scheme set up by the Department of Health. 

Additionally, I am also a member of the NCPS  - National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society and ACTO - The Association for Counselling and Therapy Online.