My background and my approach

I have worked as a counsellor in a variety of settings since 1997. I have a BA honours in Psychology and an Advanced Diploma in Counselling, and I've been a BACP accredited counsellor since early 2005 (see the BACP website for more information about what different qualifications mean). I am currently undergoing a three year psychotherapy training with the Amida Trust, which is based on Buddhist psychology. I gained a certificate in working with people from sexual minorities from Pink Therapy in 2006. 

I have a background in the corporate world and have been self-employed since 2002. I worked for 5 years at a local voluntary counselling agency, and I also work for an Employee Assistance Programme as a telephone counsellor, dealing with a wide range of workplace issues.

I engage in ongoing professional development, including weekly appointments with a supervisor to talk about the counselling work. I follow the BACP Code of Ethics (a copy can be found on their site) and am subject to their complaint procedures. 

I work from an integrative perspective, and am influenced by person-centred, existential and psychodynamic thinking. The person-centred approach highlights the self-healing capacity within us all, and the importance of the therapeutic relationship. An existential approach is concerned with searching for ways to live a more meaningful life within the constraints of being human. For brief explanations of the different kinds of counselling available, click here. 

A few examples of the kinds of issues I've worked with are: anxiety, depression, loss and bereavement, a lack of meaning, difficulties in dealing with conflict, eating disorders, identity issues, issues around sexuality, relationship issues, family issues, addictions, difficulties at work. 

Fiona Hall ~ email ~ 07900 605055 ~ Great Malvern