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Contact Me
 * Home
 * About me
 * About Counselling
   * Adults
   * Children
   * Schools
   * Confidentiality
 * Issues
 * How does it work?
 * FAQ
 * Supervision
 * Brainspotting
 * 


COUNSELLING FOR ADULTS,

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE




June 2024
I offer both face to face and remote appointments.

Counselling and supervision sessions can take place remotely either by online
video call (usually Zoom) or by telephone. Working this way offers all the
benefits of face-to-face appointments with the added convenience of not having
to travel. I enjoy working effectively with clients all over the UK and further
afield. Please do get in touch if you are interested in finding out more.

I also offer Face to Face sessions from my first floor therapy room in Tring,
Hertfordshire (HP23 5ED) and Walk and Talk sessions in Aston Clinton,
Buckinghamshire (HP22 5).


SOMETIMES YOU MIGHT BE FEELING SAD OR ANXIOUS, FEEL THAT LIFE IS DIFFICULT OR
MAYBE NOT WORKING OUT AS YOU HAD HOPED.

You may have experienced trauma, or be stuck in a way of living that is causing
you stress and unhappiness.

Talking to friends, family or colleagues can often help. Maybe you don’t want to
burden them, don’t have anyone to talk to, or maybe they’re part of the problem.

Sometimes we need someone who is outside of the situation, who will really
listen to us and our concerns and work with us to help us sort things out, so
that we can feel better.

I am a qualified Trauma Informed Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist.
This means I use different ideas and techniques to suit you as we work
collaboratively. I incorporate the link between brain and body in our work, as
many issues can have both physical and emotional effects.

Sessions can be singular, a few in number, or on a longer-term basis.

I work with adults and young people. I also work with couples.

I offer a friendly, secure, and confidential space where you can be heard, held,
understood, and valued.

I have worked with many different issues. If you’re struggling with things in
your life, past, present or future, or you’re not even sure what the problem is,
counselling might be the help and support you need.

I offer a free initial 20 minute meeting, or a 50 minute first session at a
reduced fee, so that you can meet me before you decide. This gives you the
opportunity to ask any questions you might have and is without any obligation to
continue.

Please get in touch with me by telephone or email if you are interested in
learning more or to arrange an initial appointment.

Contact Sophy on 07749 937706 or email sophy@aplacetobeme.co.uk



Counselling Directory Link



Do you need urgent help:

 * Samaritans
 * Papyrus
 * Childline
 * 999

 * The Calm Zone
 * Family Lives
 * NHS Urgent help for mental health


ABOUT ME

I am a Trauma Informed Integrative Counsellor, Psychotherapist and Clinical
Supervisor. I am a Registered Member of the British Association of Counsellors
and Psychotherapists (BACP), and an Accredited Professional Member of the
National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS). I have a Diploma in
Integrative Therapeutic Counselling, as well as other post graduate training and
clinical experience including working with Trauma, PTSD, Eating Disorders, and
working with Young People.

I work with individuals aged 11 years and older, and with couples.

I believe that to be let into someone’s life is a real privilege. I am very
committed to working responsibly, ethically and sensitively to help you get what
you need. I won’t sit there with a clipboard, cold and aloof. Instead, together
we will try to build a valuing relationship based on honesty, understanding,
equality, warmth and acceptance. Each client is an individual, and I hold this
in mind this with every person I meet.

I work with many issues, and have special interest in working with Trauma, PTSD
and Complex PTSD / C-PTSD. I have completed extensive Post Graduate study in
this area and am trained in number of approaches that enable me to work to
support you with tools, help you process your trauma and move ahead with your
life. My training includes the body to brain-based therapy Brainspotting, the
Rewind Therapy Technique, and others. My approach and training mean that I have
a good understanding of trauma and can support you to develop the tools and
skills necessary to effectively work with trauma in safe, strategic, and
systematic manner. By working somatically, we pay attention to what happens in
the body as well as in the mind.

I also have a special interest in working with children and young people. I have
extensive clinical experience in this area. Alongside my Private Practice, I am
the Lead School Counsellor in a Private Day and Boarding School for children
aged 8 years to 19 years (since 2018). Between 2013 and 2018 I worked with two
local senior and primary schools as a school counsellor.

As well as my work as a counsellor since 2013, I have many years of professional
and voluntary experience in other roles within the commercial corporate sector,
the support sector, and the voluntary/fundraising sector. I appreciate the
stresses and demands that the balance of everyday life, work and family can
place on us.




HOW I WORK

As a Trauma Informed Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist, I combine a
variety of theories in my work, incorporating the link between the body and the
brain. These theories include Person Centred Theory, Cognitive Behavioural
Therapy (CBT), and Transactional Analysis (TA), Attachment theory, Psychodynamic
theory, Mindfulness, Gestalt theory, and creative work.

My Post Graduate trauma trainings and clinical experience enable me to include
the body-brain therapy Brainspotting and Rewind Therapy. I am trained to offer
STAIR Narrative Therapy (Skills Training in Affective & Interpersonal
Regulation), Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET), Cognitive Processing Therapy
(CPT), Imagery Rescripting and Reprocessing Therapy (IRRT), Prolonged Exposure
Therapy (PET), as well as other approaches.

Counselling is collaborative. We will discuss together what you might want to
work on, how we approach this, and review your progress throughout the work we
do. My belief is that whatever theoretical approach(es) we use, the most
important aspect of our work will be the relationship we develop together.

My aim is to provide warmth, empathic understanding, and respect for whatever
issues you choose to discuss. We go at your pace, working collaboratively where
you want to go.

I have attended additional training courses and post graduate training for
working with Disordered Eating including Anorexia, Bulimia, ARFID, Binge Eating
and Nutrition for Disordered Eating. I have also attended post graduate training
modules specifically for Working Therapeutically with Children and Young People.

I have clinical experience of working with parents and carers supporting them
with many issues including post-natal depression, anxiety, panic, anger,
infertility, addiction, relationship breakdowns, loss and bereavement, alcohol,
abortion, depression, long term health issues and stress.

I adhere to the BACP Ethical Framework. and the NCPS Code of Ethics. As per
these frameworks:

 * I attend regular training, workshops and actively work on my personal
   development by keeping up to date with recent developments and research
   throughout each year.
 * I attend regular clinical supervision to ensure I am working safely and
   ethically with my clients.
 * I hold full Professional Civil Liability Insurance.
 * I have an enhanced updated DBS check (previously known as CRB check)




QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING ATTENDED

 * Brainspotting (Phase 1,2 and 3) – BSPUK
 * Diploma in Trauma Informed Psychotherapy - IACP
 * Level 6 Diploma in Clinical Supervision - CPCAB
 * Certificate in Counselling Supervision - OCN
 * Rewind Therapy (Dr David Muss) - IRATT
 * Level 4 Diploma in Integrative Therapeutic Counselling - CPCAB
 * Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies - CPCAB
 * Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Studies - NCFE
 * Certificate in Counselling Children and Young People
 * BACP Certificate of Proficiency (Accredited Voluntary Register)
 * Practitioner Skills for Eating Disorders (National Centre for Eating
   Disorders)
 * Nutritional Interventions For Eating Disorders (National Centre for Eating
   Disorders)
 * Essential Obesity (National Centre for Eating Disorders)

CPD and additional training attended includes:
 * Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Trauma and PTSD (attended)
 * Cruse Bereavement Training Certificate
 * Postgraduate Certificate in Couples Counselling
 * Certificate in Facilitating Groups
 * Single Session Therapy - SST (Prof Windy Dryden)
 * 7 modules (out of 12) of a Postgraduate Level 7 CPD training modules attended
   for Working With Children and Young People aged 5-25 years including
   Therapeutic Play, Group Work, Creative Interventions, CBT with Young People,
   as well as many other areas.


ADULTS

I work with adults of all ages.

It’s not always easy to talk about feelings and emotions. I will offer you a
friendly, safe, supportive and confidential space where you can talk without
fear or criticism, and where I will accept you, without judgement, for who you
are.

I see clients from all walks of life and all backgrounds. Emotional distress,
stress and mental health issues can affect any and all of us. Each year one in
four adults will experience a mild to moderate mental health problem. This can
be the result of sudden unexpected events, planned transitions or from early
trauma resurfacing when current life events trigger past experiences and
memories.

Counselling can be an opportunity to explore your concerns with me, without bias
and in a way which you may not be able to do with your friends or family. We can
work together so you’re able to identify ways to improve your wellbeing, and
help you make the changes in your life that you would like to happen.

I’ve had the privilege of working therapeutically with clients on a wide range
of issues, including include low mood, feeling sad, anxiety and anxiety
disorders, fear, stress, self-harm, suicidal ideation, school/life stress,
work-life balance, depression, panic, neglect, abuse, many different
relationship issues including separation, affairs and divorce, neglect, sexual
abuse, trauma, PTSD, complex PTSD / C-PTSD, body image, bullying, domestic
abuse, abortion, disordered eating (including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating,
ARFID), Neurodiversity including Autism (ASD) and ADHD, anger, low self-esteem,
fertility and infertility, miscarriage, alcohol, low self-confidence, post-natal
depression (PND), chronic fatigue (CFS), short and long term illness, loss,
bereavement, and as many other issues.


CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

I work with children and young people aged from 11 years old.

Counselling helps a child or young person to better understand their situation.
It also provides time and a space for children and young people to explore their
thoughts and feelings about changes, personal issues or other difficulties they
may be going through.

It can help them cope with their emotions and enable them to make positive
choices. Ultimately, it can help children and young people to feel more safe,
secure and happy in the family home, at school and in their everyday lives.

Issues I have worked with children and young people include stress, low
self-esteem, self-harm, anxiety, anger, sexuality, friendships, body issues,
neglect, family or relationship breakdowns and problems, school problems,
bullying, loss and bereavement, suicidal ideation, depression, bullying and many
other issues.

As well as counselling (talking therapy), I use a variety of techniques to
promote and develop resilience and emotional health, including creative work and
therapeutic play.

I am also happy to provide counselling for parents, carers and families to
support the family unit.


SCHOOLS / GP / SOCIAL SERVICES REFERRALS

I am able to accept referrals from local schools, GP surgeries and Social
Services. Please contact me directly to discuss this, or pass on my details to
the person who may be interested in counselling:

07749 937706 or email sophy@aplacetobeme.co.uk


CONFIDENTIALITY

This is something we will talk about in detail when we meet.

I believe that trust and feeling safe is vital that in the counselling
relationship. By feeling safe, this enables you to talk about your deepest
thoughts and feelings. The counselling room is somewhere for you to talk about
whatever you want, but there are some rules that I have to adhere to, to ensure
safety for you, myself and other people.

Discussing confidentiality is also important, so that you know what, if
anything, that you say is discussed outside of the counselling room.

I work and adhere to the BACP’s Ethical Framework.

“Respecting clients’ privacy and confidentiality are fundamental requirements
for keeping trust and respecting client autonomy. The professional management of
confidentiality concerns the protection of personally identifiable and sensitive
information from unauthorised disclosure. Disclosure may be authorised by client
consent or the law. Any disclosures of client confidences should be undertaken
in ways that best protect the client’s trust and respect client autonomy”.

extract from BACP’s Ethical Framework



As counsellors, we all have our own way of offering confidentiality, and others
may differ in their approach to it. My approach to how I maintain my client’s
confidentiality is as follows:

 * Everything that is said to me in the counselling room remains confidential,
   unless I feel that you or someone else might be at risk of serious harm.
 * If I see you outside of the counselling room, I will be guided by how you
   want to interact. I will not take offence if you do not want to acknowledge
   me as appreciate it can be a difficult situation.
 * When I speak to my supervisor about my work, I do not use any identifying
   details about my clients, discussing only specific parts of the work. I would
   only use a first name, or in some circumstances, a pseudonym. (All BACP
   registered counsellors are required to have supervision by the BACP to ensure
   the safety of both the client and the counsellor in the work).
 * If a client tells me they are involved in behaviours that puts themselves or
   others at risk of serious harm, such as suicide, terrorism, money laundering,
   serious crime, child protection issues and some other legal situations, then
   I would have to breach confidentiality. I would always aim to do this after a
   discussion with you. In the case of immediate and imminent risk, then there
   may not always be the opportunity to have that dialogue with you.

The ethics and law around confidentiality are very complex, so it is always
worth talking it through if you are concerned about any doubts you may have.

I will ask you to sign something to say we have discussed the confidentiality as
part of our working agreement. We can refer back to this at any point in the
work, should you need clarification on what it means for what you want to
discuss in the room. Once we have discuss the limits of the confidentiality, you
can talk freely about what brought you to counselling in the first place.

CONFIDENTIALITY - CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

There are some additional considerations when working with children and young
people. I would ask you as a parent/guardian to sign paperwork to confirm we
have discussed confidentiality and its limits for the counselling work.

It is vital when working with young people that they want to come for
counselling. It needs to be their counselling and their space. In coming for
counselling they will have a safe confidential space in which to think about and
share what’s on their mind. It can be hugely beneficial to simply have someone
who is not family, school or friends to really listen.

It’s important to let your young person share as much or as little as they want
about the counselling, or simply nothing at all with you as parents or carers.
You will have worries or concerns about them but it is crucial that they can
trust that what they say is private.

When we commence working together, we talk through a working agreement where
confidentiality and the limits of this are discussed in detail. In exceptional
circumstances if child protection issues should be raised, or if I’m given
information that the young person or anyone else was in danger or at risk of
serious harm, I may have to break confidentiality. I always endeavour to gain
the young person’s consent to disclosing information to the relevant persons or
authorities, but if consent can’t be obtained I retain the right to take action
independently.

I require a parent or carer's written permission to work with any young person
under the age of 18, and expect safe travel arrangements to be put in place if
we are working face to face.

Depending on the age of the young person it is sometimes helpful to have a joint
meeting at the start of the counselling with parents/carers and the young
person. This is not always necessary or desirable.


ISSUES

What issues do people seek counselling for?



Counselling can be used to explore many, many issues. Some issues can be very
traumatic and involve long term work. Other issues may be less challenging or
obvious, or involve shorter work.

Things you may seek counselling for include:



 * Self Esteem and Confidence Building
 * Bereavement and loss, including divorce and loss of employment
 * Feeling depressed, unhappy or sad
 * Feelings of anger and loss of control
 * Feeling anxious and stressed
 * Trauma, Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD), and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD)
 * Managing Illness
 * Life transitions, including children leaving home, divorce and retirement
 * Self-Harm
 * Sexual Abuse and Rape
 * Domestic Abuse
 * Relationship or Family Difficulties, including a pattern of unsatisfying or
   abusive relationships
 * Work related stress
 * The effects of bullying in childhood or adult life
 * Mood swings
 * Feeling isolated and lost
 * Disordered Eating
 * Suicidal Ideation
 * Childhood trauma/abuse
 * Workplace issues including bullying, work overload or loss of job status
 * Post Natal Depression (PND)
 * Personality disorders
 * Addictive behaviour
 * Experiencing prejudice
 * Adoption Issues
 * And other challenges


HOW DOES IT WORK?

Counselling allows you the opportunity to move towards living in a way you feel
to be more satisfying, fulfilling and resourced to manage with what life brings
your way.

My job is to help develop an honest, genuine relationship which allows you to
feel accepted, understood and valued, so that together we can explore your
world, gain understanding and process (work through) whatever comes up.

 * It’s confidential (with a few exceptions, which will be explained to you).
 * It’s based on understanding, not judgment.
 * It’s led by you - we focus on whatever you want to focus on, and work at your
   own pace.

You may be able to achieve your personal goal in just a few sessions of therapy,
but you may equally need more time than that. It depends on the nature of your
discomfort and how you are as a person. Everybody is unique and individual, and
so are the problems they bring to counselling.

It may also be worth asking what the challenge or issue itself is costing you
now, in terms of your work, your relationships, your family. Many clients come
to see counselling as a very worthwhile use of their time and money.

You may find that counselling helps by:
 * Providing a sense of relief from sharing some of your burden
 * Improving your understanding of yourself and your problems
 * Helping you fathom out a solution
 * Helping you to process a trauma or experience
 * Helping you to accept and value yourself
 * Offering you support while you go through a crisis
 * Revealing how you are in relationships, and why the same things keep
   happening
 * Processing difficult feelings and experience.

Is counselling (or psychotherapy) for me?

One of the most important factors in whether counselling will be effective is
whether you want to undertake it. If you are doing it to please someone else or
because someone is pressurising you into it, it is unlikely to be helpful.

Counselling is very different from going to see your doctor. We tend to expect
that once we have explained what the matter is to our doctor, he or she will
give us something that will remove the problem. Counselling however, is not
something that is done to you, or given to you, like medicine or advice. It is
“emotional work” and it is important that you see it as your work, with your
counsellor working alongside you. If you want someone to take away your
emotional distress without you having to do anything yourself, it is unlikely
that you will find counselling helpful.

If you are unsure whether counselling is the right thing for you at present, you
could ask yourself three useful questions.

 1. Do I want to make changes to myself, rather than just wanting my situation
    or the people around me to change?
 2. Am I prepared to consider the contribution I make to my difficulties?
 3. Do I feel ready to invest the time and energy into myself to change what is
    troubling me?

If you can answer yes to these, it is likely that you will benefit from
counselling.

One further thing to consider is that you need to feel strong enough to bear the
difficult emotions that may be touched on in the course of the counselling. To
move forward you may have to go through a period of feeling worse than you are
at present, before you can start to feel better. You need to be aware of this
before agreeing to undertake counselling. We can discuss this when we have our
initial conversations, so we can think about how to address any concerns you
might have about this.


FAQ

You may have some questions so hopefully you will find the answers here. Please
feel free to get in touch if you can’t find what you need here.



LOCATION:

As well as working with clients remotely all over the UK, I offer Face to Face
sessions from my first floor therapy room in Tring, Hertfordshire (HP23 5ED) and
Walk and Talk sessions in Aston Clinton, Buckinghamshire (HP22 5). My therapy
room in Tring is accessed via stairs. Unfortunately there is no lift available.

Both locations are served by many regular bus services and routes, as well as
being within easy reach of:

 * Aldbury
 * Amersham
 * Aylesbury
 * Berkhamsted
 * Cheddington
 * Cholesbury
 * Drayton Beauchamp
 * Halton
 * Hastoe
 * Hemel Hempstead
 * Ivinghoe
 * Leighton Buzzard
 * Long Marston

 * Marsworth
 * Mentmore
 * Milton Keynes
 * Northchurch
 * Pitstone
 * Princes Risborough
 * Puttenham
 * St Leonards
 * Stoke Mandeville
 * Tring
 * Wendover
 * Weston Turville
 * Wiggington
 * Wilstone



FEES:

Individuals:

 * So that you can meet me before you decide if you want us to work together, I
   offer a free first 20 minute meeting, or a 50 minute first session charged at
   £40. This is offered without any obligation to continue with other sessions.
 * Further sessions are charged at £65 per session. Sessions are for up to 1
   hour.
 * Concessionary rates may be negotiated dependent on individual circumstances.
   Please do ask if fees are a concern for you and will prevent you from
   accessing therapy.
 * Please see my payment terms and cancellation policy below

Couples:

 * Initial appointment £75
 * Assessment session £85
 * Further sessions are charged at £75 per hour
 * Please see my payment terms and cancellation policy below

Payment

I accept payment via bank transfer. Payment is due at least 48 hours before
the appointment day for the session to take place.

Cancellation Policy:

I have a cancellation policy of the full 100% session fee is
payable if appointments are cancelled 48 working hours or less before the
appointment day. Cancellations made between 48 working hours and 72 working
hours are chargeable at 50% of the session fee.

Payment for all sessions including cancelled sessions is due no later than 48
hours before the day of the appointment.

By booking an appointment, you are agreeing to these terms.



APPOINTMENT TIMES:

 * Appointments are available weekday daytimes and afternoons, and some weekday
   evenings.



WHAT IS COUNSELLING?

Counselling “offers you a safe confidential place to talk about your life and
anything that may be confusing, painful or uncomfortable. It allows you to talk
with someone who is trained to listen attentively and help you improve things.”
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).



DOES COUNSELLING WORK FOR EVERYONE?

Counselling doesn’t suit everyone, it’s true. But it’s also true that for many
people it does work well.

According to research by the British Association for Counsellors and
Psychotherapists, (BACP), up to three quarters of clients report improvement,
when they compare before and after counselling. For more detail see:
http://www.bacp.co.uk/research/resources/

Recent Studies from the International Centre For Clinical Excellence showed that
80% of clients in Counselling and Therapy end up better off than those who
didn’t seek help.

At the beginning, you may feel worse before you feel better, as you are looking
at difficult issues.



WHY NOT JUST TALK IT THROUGH WITH A FRIEND OR FAMILY?

Although family and friends may want to help, counselling allows us to work with
someone who is more detached. It offers a space separate from our everyday lives
to feel, think and see clearly. We can reach a different understanding and sense
of ourselves by working with a counsellor.



WILL ANYBODY NEED TO KNOW I’VE COME TO SEE YOU?

No. You do not need to inform anybody that you have come for counselling unless
you wish to. It does not go onto your GP or medical records.



CONFIDENTIALITY

I follow the BACP professional guidelines on confidentiality.

There are some limits to confidentiality which will be discussed at our initial
meeting when we establish our working agreement. These limits are:

 * If you talk about causing harm to yourself or others, I may break
   confidentiality as a duty of care. I would discuss this with you first.
 * In keeping with professional good practice, I have supervision. In this, I
   may discuss issues or feelings which have emerged for me, but I do not
   identify any client. My supervisor won’t know who my clients are.



WHAT IF I MISS A SESSION?

If you know you're going to miss a session, please let me know and I am happy to
re-arrange subject to my cancellation policy below:

 * Less than 48 working hours notice before the day of the appointment - Full
   fee
 * Between 48-72 working hours notice before the day of the appointment - Half
   fee
 * More than 72 working hours notice before the day of the appointment- no fee


CONTACT ME

Sophy Winfield Dip Couns. PNCPS Acc. MBACP.
Aston Clinton, Aylesbury
Buckinghamshire HP22
Mobile: 07749 937706
Email: sophy@aplacetobeme.co.uk
A Place To Be Me