I am a registered psychotherapist, offering person-centred therapy in Herefordshire and the surrounding areas. As well as online or telephone counselling.
I am registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and fully abide by their Ethical Framework.
I work with my clients in a safe, confidential and empathic environment, free from judgement.
My practice is grounded in extensive experience working within the private mental health sector as well as the voluntary sector. I have also conducted research within the psychology and counselling fields.
What can counselling offer you?
I have extensive experience in the private mental health sector, as well as the voluntary sector. Working in such environments has given me the opportunity to understand the personal experiences that can cause pain and suffering. My role as counsellor is to help you understand these experiences, in a safe environment, in the hope that it will inform a deeper understanding and enable you to experience your life in a more engaging and fulfilling way. Your role as a client is to fully commit to the process of healing, which I will support you with throughout your journey.
The importance of the therapeutic relationship
Finding the right counsellor is important. It is vital that you and I are able to work together. To help make this decision, I offer a free 30-minute consultation. This gives you an opportunity to decide whether on-going counselling, with me, is the right thing for you.
What can I offer you?
I offer counselling and psychotherapy to adults and adolescents. My priority has always been to ensure that you feel safe to explore whatever you are feel you need to explore. I have a calm, empathic and engaging presence, which I hope will enable you to discover new avenues of thinking and of being. Giving you the confidence to change how you experience your life.
My Approach to Counselling
My approach to counselling sees you as the expert of your own experiencing. I place a value in you as an individual, trusting the way in which you experience your own life. This therapeutic modality, coined the Person Centred Approach encourages you and I to explore your own understanding of your life experiences. This approach allows you to bring to our sessions, anything that is causing you emotional distress. Working through such experiences together, I hope that I can help you to understand them at a deeper level and move forwards with confidence. At times, I may bring in different ways of working, dependent upon what is being discussed in our sessions.
Why people choose counselling?
My previous experience has led me to understand that people attend counselling for a variety of reasons. Some of the difficulties that my clients have come to seek help for include, anxiety and depression, work-related stress, previous childhood trauma, bereavement, anger management and relationship issues, as well as many other causes of personal distress.
Supporting LGBTQ+ Community
I have specialist knowledge in supporting members of the LGBTQ+ community, in a counselling, psychotherapy and advice work capacity. I have worked with both adults and young people who have began to question their gender or sexuality and I have supported them with coming out to family and friends. I have particular specialist knowledge of working with young people who are questioning their gender identity, supporting them with coming out, social transition, referrals to Gender Clinics and Legal transition. I successfully run an LGBTQ+ spectrum support group, which is currently over subscribed.
Specialist LGBTQ+ Inclusivity Training
I deliver LGBTQ+ inclusivity training to clinical/non-clinical support staff in local GP surgeries in Herefordshire and Stourbridge areas. This training aims allow staff within GP surgeries to become more inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community. This training also aims to highlight the issues currently faced by members of the LGBTQ+ community. For more information about this service, please do not hesitate to contact me.
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Elliot Downs
Email:
Telephone: 07983101823
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