Emma Weston Counselling, Psychotherapy and Training

Counselling and Psychotherapy

We all experience times when things aren't going the way we might like. We can find ourselves anywhere from a bit grey and unhappy to extremely dark and depressed, overwhelmed, stressed and spun out. We can get stuck in negative patterns of thinking which are difficult to break, become worried or anxious about the future, or unable to reconcile past decisions. A neutral space to think and feel can be extremely useful. People come to counselling for a variety of reasons; it may be that you would like to:

· Develop better self awareness

· Work through a loss, bereavement, relationship break-up, or redundancy

· Increase your confidence, self-esteem or self-image

· Work on patterns of behaviour that may be causing you concern

· Discuss feelings of depression, anxiety, sadness, loneliness or emptiness

· Find more of a sense of purpose in life, to feel less stuck

· Try and resolve some issues from the past

· Feel more comfortable expressing your sexuality

· Work through a situation currently affecting your work life

· Develop a better understanding of your relationship issues

· Be able to resolve a family conflict

· Talk about something you have been bottling up

· Work on social skills to connect with people and make lasting relationships

· Develop better communication skills & become more assertive

· Develop better understanding of your partner & yourself

Counselling may be able to offer insights into these and other concerns in a safe, confidential, genuine, accepting and non-judgmental environment.

Supervision

I offer integrative supervision to counsellors and psychotherapists. Supervision is essential to how we as practitioners sustain our well being and ensure good practice throughout our working life. It provides practitioners with regular and ongoing opportunities to reflect in depth about all aspects of their practice in order to work as effectively, safely and ethically as possible. Supervision also sustains the personal resourcefulness required to undertake the work.

'Supervision is a joint endeavour in which a practitioner with the help of a supervisor, attends to their clients, themselves as part of their client practitioner relationships and the wider systemic context, and by doing so improves the work, transforms their client relationships, continuously develops themselves, their practice and the wider profession'. (Hawkins and Shohet, 2012:5)

BACP describe supervision as: A' specialised form of professional mentoring provided for practitioners responsible for undertaking challenging work with people. Supervision is provided to: ensure standards; enhance quality and creativity; and enable the sustainability and resilience of the work being undertaken'. (BACP 2018.)

About me

I believe in creating a safe and confidential space to allow you to explore any issues that you wish to bring to therapy. I am warm, sincere, caring, non-judgemental and transparent in the way that I communicate.

I am a registered, qualified counsellor and supervisor. I am a member of The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and I adhere to their ethical framework for The Counselling Professions. I have undertaken unpaid voluntary work, providing a free of charge counselling service for local charity, Autism Wessex for over 7 years. During this time I facilitated psychoeducative groups on a voluntary basis as well.

I hold a MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice (with merit) from Bath Spa University, also a CPCAB Level 6 Certificate in Therapeutic Counselling Supervision, a CPCAB level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling and a CPCAB level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling. I also hold a teaching qualification.

I am an eclectic therapist, meaning I work using a range of modalities, depending on the presenting issue. I am committed to undertaking regular, continued professional development. I undertake a minimum of 30 hours CPD per year.

I have a keen interest in health and well being and I am passionate about autism, neurodiversity and learning. I specialise in working with people with Autism Spectrum Conditions and neurodiverse differences, and this was the focus of my MA research.

I can facilitate a range of workshops and groups on well being, personal development, and neurodiversity.

I am currently employed by a counselling examinations board. My role involves supporting counselling training and upholding standards.

Fees, location and contact details

I am able to see clients in the Dorchester area. I can also offer online counselling.

My fees are £45 per 50 minute session for individuals and £65 for couples.

I offer integrative supervision for trainee and qualified counsellors and psychotherapists.

Please call me to discuss your counselling, psychotherapy, training or supervision requirements on:

07470-089338 or email: emmawestoncounselling@gmail.com

Testimonials from voluntary counselling clients

'Emma combines a low key, warm approach with skill and enthusiasm. She immediately put my son at my ease and my son took to her straight away, despite him being very negative about almost everything at the time. The suitcase full of fiddle toys and games was great to take away pressure of direct talking and eye contact. We will definitely go back in the future if we need more help and have already recommended Emma to several others. Counsellors with good experience in autistic spectrum disorders seem to be pretty hard to come by so we're very grateful to have found Emma. Thank you!' SM

'Emma is helpful in getting to the crux of my issues; very friendly and kind and I can highly recommend her as a counsellor'. JW

'Thank you so much for all the help you have given B. I think it has helped B tremendously when it comes to facing unexpected problems. B offered advice when I was really stressed, stuck in a traffic jam for an hour and a half! I know B has really enjoyed meeting with you and will miss her weekly sessions. Thank you again from all of us'. LW

'Thank you so much for helping me to cope better in social situations. Coming to counselling each week has been enormously helpful'. NG

'Counselling has been life changing. Thank you for helping me to make positive changes in my life. I am far happier and coming to see you has enabled me to make important decisions and to think about things differently'. FH

'I highly recommend Emma as a counsellor and I feel that she was able to put me at ease as she is an excellent listener. Since working with Emma, I feel more confident and better at communicating. I understand myself better and Emma has taught me some useful assertiveness techniques'. TR

Books that I like

Autism Spectrum Conditions and Neurodiversity

·The Complete Guide to Asperger's syndrome by Tony Attwood

· Neurotribes by Steve Silberman

· Asperger Syndrome and Anxiety by Nick Dubin

· Martian in the Playground by Clare Sainsbury

· Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome by Luke Jackson

· Different Like Me - My book of autism heros by Elder

· The Asperger Couple's Workbook by Maxine Aston

· The Guide to Good Mental Health on the Autism Spectrum by Purkis, Goodall & Nugent

. When Your Child Has ADD/ADHD by Rebecca Rutledge

Counselling and Psychotherapy

· A Way of Being by Carl Rogers

· Working at Relational Depth by Means and Cooper

· On Psychotherapy by Petruska Clarkson

· The Skilled Helper by Egan

· Love's Executioner by Yalom

· Existential Psychotherapy by Yalom

· TA Today by Stewart and Joines

· Making and Breaking of Affectionate Bonds by Bowlby

. Standards and Ethics for Counselling Action by Tim Bond

· Windows to Our Children by Violet Oaklander

The collection and processing of data (GDPR)

Statement of Legal Basis for the collection and processing of data and my GDPR policy

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is concerned with the personal information about you that I collect, store, and share. As a counsellor and supervisor, under the above regulation, I am obliged to inform you that as part of my contract with you as your counsellor or supervisor I will need to collect and process information as detailed below. The BACP's (my professional body) requirement is that I seek regular supervision to ensure that I am practising safely and ethically and to help me develop insights and interventions that will benefit my clients, supervisees and myself. Third parties cannot identify clients or supervisees from our sessions due to its anonymous nature and information that is stored digitally will be kept securely for my use. Clients and supervisees will have had this explained and accept that the collection and processing of information from counselling and supervision sessions is a necessary part of their contractual obligation with me. This forms the legal basis for collecting and processing data. Your privacy is important to me and I endeavour to be transparent about the data that I collect and how I use it.

PERSONAL INFORMATION I WILL COLLECT

· Name

· Gender (or preferred identity)

· Age

· Date of Birth

· Relationships and Progeny

· Occupation

· Address

· Telephone/SMS number (plus permission to send SMS and leave voice message)

· Email address

· Counselling History

· Medical conditions relevant to counselling

· Prescribed medication

· Difficulties

· Session summary

HOW I WILL STORE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

STORAGE METHODS

· Paper: written notes, these will be kept in a locked cabinet.

· Smartphone: I will store your contact information in my personal iPhone; this allows me to contact you in case of emergencies. This phone is password protected.

· Email/SMS/WhatsApp: your email address and correspondence will be stored in my email account (currently Gmail) by nature of you contacting me. My computer is password protected. Your telephone number may be stored in my SMS or WhatsApp app should we exchange messages this way. Electronic correspondence will also be held by the corresponding app (Gmail, Phone's SMS, WhatsApp).

· Website: none of your personal information is stored on my website and I do not use cookies.

PAPER DOCUMENTS HELD AND STORED IN A LOCKED CABINET

· Contact Sheet.

· Contract/Agreement.

· Assessment Record.

· Brief Session Notes.

· GDPR Agreement.

· Client Code (linking documents.)

ELECTRONIC

· Contact name and telephone.

· Email/SMS/WhatsApp.

HOW I MAY PROCESS/SHARE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION IN COUNSELLING SUPERVISION OR SUPERVISION OF SUPERVISION

I receive a monthly consultation called supervision with another therapist qualified in this process. The consultation process is for my practice and professional development, as well as to ensure that I am practising ethically and safely. In order to protect your privacy, my supervisor will not know you personally nor professionally. I will refer to you by your initials, and I may refer to your information verbally when it's helpful to my professional processes.

THERAPEUTIC WILL

Your name and contact details will be shared with my Therapeutic Executor. This is so that you will be contacted on the event of my death, should you still be in therapy or supervision with me.

EMERGENCIES

If your health is in jeopardy I may share your contact information with an emergency healthcare service (e.g. Mental Health Crisis Team), in most cases I would endeavour to get your consent prior to this happening. If I have become aware of your intent to cause harm to another person/organisation (e.g. terrorism), the law may require that I inform an authority without seeking your permission. In such a situation, the law may require that I share your personal information without your knowledge such as if my notes are subpoenaed by a court of law.

ERASING YOUR INFORMATION

When we have finished working together, I will erase electronic copies of your information and correspondence within one month. I will hold onto your written information for up to seven years past the end of our working together. This is so that I have a reference of our work in situations such as you returning to counselling or supervision in the future. After this time has passed, I will shred the written information.

YOUR RIGHTS

You have the following rights:

· To be informed what information I hold (i.e. this document).

· To see the information I hold about you (free of charge for the initial request).

· To rectify any inaccurate or incomplete personal information.

· To withdraw consent to me using your personal information.

· To request your personal information be erased (though I can decline whilst the information is needed for me to practice lawfully and competently).

DATA SECURITY

I maintain reasonable precautions to protect personal data from loss, misuse, unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration and destruction. I store all paper records in a locked filing cabinet, to which only I have the key, and electronic records are stored and protected with a password.

A printed copy of this statement will be given to you when we first meet for counselling or supervision. If we agree to continue working together, we will both sign the printed copy of this statement to indicate our agreement.

I aim to transparently communicate my legal basis for holding, storing and sharing information. This includes explaining what I will hold, how I will hold it, with whom I will share it, for how long, and what will happen when data is no longer needed. If any of this needs further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact me. As the Data Controller, I will deal with any issues or complaints and my contact details are at the top of my web page.