Person Centred Counsellor

 
Hi, I’m Shaun, an experienced person-centred/integrative therapist. I will aim to offer you a safe space with genuine understanding and acceptance so that you can explore and address what is most meaningful to you. My values are grounded in humanism and existentialism fostering a deep respect for the inner resources of my clients. I will aim to meet and encounter you in a dialogical way, taking a deep interest in your history, present and future potential. I will work with you toward your therapeutic goals and aims, remaining open to change and adjustment as the work progresses. 

I have worked with various client issues such as depression, anxiety, the OCD's, grief, loss, isolation, life changes, low self esteem/confidence, relationship difficulties, confusion, worry, ecological/political disillusionment, identity confusion and more. I take a holistic view acknowledging the role of embodied awareness in helping people work with felt senses to alleviate tension and to support the creation of meaning. I am also able to work directly with symptom relief if this is helpful to you.

I understand how difficult emotions and challenging thoughts can be — my way of being is grounded in my experience as a former tertiary care NHS service user. Carrying this forward, I Worked at an Adult National and Specialist Service for complex OCD/BDD, co-designing and facilitating recovery groups in concert with in-patient service users. Later training as a peer support worker enabled me to work in NHS multidisciplinary teams, where I gained a large body of knowledge of CBT, crisis management and occupational health — these experiences inform my continual development and reflection as a professional therapist.

I have an FdSc and BSc Honours (1st) in person centred counselling from Brighton University. I am an Accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). The Accreditation pathway is designed for experienced practitioners that are able to demonstrate high levels of development consisting of a large body of work including a rigorous assessment and application process. After in depth reflection of my practice, my accreditation portfolio was successful on first attempt conferring professional recognition of higher levels of professional and ethical competence as an independent practitioner. 

I receive regular supervision and engage in further professional development in the form of regular person centred encounter groups to enhance my presence and authenticity. I read in depth in continental philosophy in order to enhance my knowledge in how to live effectively and foster collaborative and genuine meaning making with my clients. My practice is based upon a foundation of over 300 hours of personal counselling and psychotherapy over 20 years. Further, my way of Being with you is enhanced through 10 years of mindfulness meditation practice inclusive of an interest in ways in which Buddhist practices may be incorporated therapeutically.

I am passionate about difference and diversity, and am constantly striving to ensure that my practice is inclusive, anti-discriminatory, compassionate and curious in meeting many varieties of human experience and suffering. 

I am online group facilitator for Brighton and Hove's OCD, BDD and Hoarding support group. I have also promoted mental health awareness via talks in the national media, including with This Morning, ITN, regional news and in collaboration with Public Health England. I offer a 15 minute free consultation so we can meet and discuss your difficulties and collaborate on preferred ways of working. If you have any questions about how I work, or about my experience, values or skills please do not hesitate to contact me via the Stephenson Centre.
 

Fees:  Individuals  £60 

Check my availability