*Currently taking new clients and supervisees*
I work alongside adults, children (11+) & couples to help alleviate the burdens that brought them into counselling. I'm Steph and I'm an authentic and compassionate trauma-informed integrative counsellor, with twelve years of experience working in different counselling settings. I work part-time for a counselling organisation based in Blaydon as a Cou
nsellor and Supervisor, and working there over the years has challenged me to really focus in on what I can offer my clients. I've volunteered at Samaritans in the past on the helpline and I've also worked in a school as the School Counsellor for four years. Working with young people has taught me to not take myself so seriously and to always keep a hoover nearby in case of artistic accidents, like glitter all over the floor. And now there's private practice, and the opportunity to freely work with clients in whatever way they need me to. One human reaching out to another, with the hope of connecting, building trust and supporting you to accept or change whatever it is that's causing you hurt or distress. I've been in places and with people that kept me stuck. I've struggled with myself, and I still do sometimes. As a counsellor, I don't have any of the 'answers', but I do have the resources, skills and curiosity to help you explore the problems you're having and unburden yourself. Steph's SAFE model of working: Strengthening Awareness For Empowerment. Very simply put, I sit with you and we try and piece together what's happening for you. This might involve mostly talking, or it might involve us using the resources and materials I have in my counselling room. Either way, I think you understanding what's happening for you and becoming more aware of what works and what doesn't work in your life will be the first step on the way to changing things and feeling empowered. Who do I work with? I work with adults (individually), couples and children (aged 11+). What are your options? At the minute I offer face to face appointments from 2pm - 5:30pm on Wednesdays from my room in Coxhoe. It might be possible to have sessions online or on the phone if travelling isn't possible for you. I offer floating times for face to face and online work on Fridays, please just ask and I'll send you my availability for this. What is the setup? To arrange sessions for individual adults and children you can contact me by messenger, phone, text or email to book your first counselling session, which will last approximately 50 minutes. The first session is an assessment session, where i'll take some basic details and we can explore what has brought you into counselling, as well as making sure that I am the right counsellor for you. You can decide how you would like to continue, or not, and together we'll map a path towards feeling better. What are my fees? Sessions cost £50 per 50minute session, and I offer lower session rates for students and unemplyed people (from £40 upwards). What about Couples Counselling? I offer face to face sessions only from my counselling room, starting with an initial Couples Counselling Assessment session which is £40 for 50mins. All sessions after that are £60 for 50 minute sessions. How do I make an appointment? If you'd like to talk about starting some counselling or have any questions please use the contact details provided in my 'about' section to get in touch. You can reach me via email, phonecall or text. If I'm with clients or in meetings I will not be able to answer straight away, but please do leave me a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I'm able. Travel links and parking? If you're coming by bus there's a bus stop directly opposite Durham Wellness Space, and another just a short walk down the road. If you're getting here by car you can park for free on Church street. The building itself isn't able to offer any parking, but there are many spaces on the opposite side of the road all the way down the street. Is the room accessible for those in wheelchairs or people who have mobility issues? The room I rent in Durham Wellness Space is upstairs. There are approximately 15 steps up to the counselling room. If you are attending with your child, there is a small waiting area downstairs with seats where you can wait. Counselling professionals looking for a supervisor? My fee for supervision is £50 for an hour of supervision, or £65 for 1.5 hours. I am not offering supervision to counselling students at the minute, though this may change in the coming months.
