Type of service: Counsellor

I am a self-employed counsellor with a BACP Diploma in Humanistic Integrative Counselling, working towards accredited membership in 2015 as a fully qualified Humanistic Integrative Therapist. I was Community Outreach Manager at Autism Sussex, and deputised for the head of Community Outreach and the Day Options Centre. I left Autism Sussex at the end of April 2015 to concentrate on my career as a counsellor/therapist. I have completed over 250 hours of counselling and therapy, working with two therapy centres, Brighton Therapy Centre and Mid Sussex Counselling Centre, Hassocks over the past two years. From April 2015 I continued to establish my private practice at Brighton Therapy Centre in addition to working one day per week at Each Counselling, Richmond which is part of the same consortium as Rise. As a counsellor and also through over 12 years' autism spectrum condition (ASC) experience I have worked with many young people with behavioural issues including low self-esteem, self-harm, suicidal thoughts and feelings, anxiety, panic attacks, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), anger, confrontational behaviour, which in some circumstances have led them to substance misuse. As a therapist, I successfully combine psycho-analytic perspectives with humanistic aspects, to provide a warm and congruent atmosphere for my clients. I carry out assessments of young people, and advise on their suitability to work with counsellors, where appropriate referring them to external agencies, including Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). I have undertaken and analysed needs assessments, putting into place measures which have helped people with ASC manage the impact of the condition in order to live as independently and successfully as possible. Some referrals lead to me participating in multi-disciplinary team meetings and working alongside and integrating with local CAMHS teams, for example through Brighton and Hove Council, thereby enhancing the support provided to service users. In addition to supporting young people and their parents, I have set up a support group for siblings of young people with ASC, receiving much positive feedback from both the attendees and their families. I specialised in the provision of sibling support when studying for my social science degree..

Aimed at: Adult

Gender: All genders

Specialisms: Generic

Other specialisms: Challenging behaviour

Registrations and professional qualifications: BACP Diploma in Humanistic Integrative Counselling. Working towards accredited membership in 2015 as a fully qualified Humanistic Integrative Therapist.