emmawestoncounselling@proton.me
About me
I am an experienced and qualified Counsellor, Psychotherapist and Supervisor. I am an accredited member of The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and I adhere to their ethical framework for The Counselling Professions. Accreditation is a thorough and meticulous process. It shows high standards of training, competence and experience. It demonstrates personal awareness and an understanding of how the way I work helps my clients. I hold a MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice, 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 undertake a variety of different continuing professional development each year, in line with my professional body's requirements. This will often include conferences, courses, reading books, workshops, research papers, journals, e-learning CPD modules, formal education, lectures, seminars, mentoring, attending peer support groups, TV, documentaries and radio programmes.
There are many different modalities of counselling/psychotherapy and I work eclectically, with Person Centred Theory at the core of my practice. This puts the client at the centre of the process and recognises that they are the expert on themselves and empowers them to find their own answers. I am able to include other ways of working that are most appropriate for each individual client and their issues. I have always worked in a fairly creative and visual way and I use psychoeducation in my work.
I have an interest in autism and neurodiversity. I undertook unpaid voluntary work, providing a free of charge counselling service for an autism charity for 7 and a half years. This voluntary work only ended as the charity made local redundancies meaning the work sadly couldn't continue. During this period of voluntary work I offered pro bono one-to-one counselling sessions for many autistic people and I and facilitated psychoeducative groups.
I currently provide reduced fee sessions to a charity that supports people with asbestos diseases and their families.
I am experienced in working with loss, grief and bereavement. Until March 2021 I was employed as a Counselling and Bereavement Lead for a hospice. This role involved counselling, as well as providing clinical supervision and managing a team of dedicated volunteers and counsellors. In addition to this, the role involved training, writing policies, managing assessments and allocations. My work involved working with patients at end of life, as well as supporting families in a pre- bereavement capacity and also in providing bereavement counselling. I am experienced in sitting alongside people in their grief. Grief is a natural process but it can be devastating. Adjusting to life after losing someone close means you can feel lonely, sad, despairing, empty, angry and/or guilty. I have wide ranging experience with bereavement and also with people at end of life, and with those who have terminal illnesses. Coming to terms with death is likely to be a difficult experience, and individuals who have a terminal illness may experience conflicting and varied emotions.
Previously I taught counselling and I am very passionate about learning and education. I was also employed in counselling education for a leading awarding body (examinations board). My role involved supporting counselling training and upholding standards, moderating and standardising qualifications from levels 2 to 6, and approving schemes of work for centres wanting to deliver the awarding body's qualifications. I have also assessed and moderated counselling and counselling supervision qualifications from levels 2 to 6. I am familiar with CPCAB qualifications.
I am passionate about my work and I feel privileged to be able to help people. I work in private practice as a counsellor, psychotherapist, consultative supervisor and trainer.
In my spare time I can usually be found enjoying the outdoors, taking photos, reading, watching films and documentaries, walking my dog and nurturing plants.