Atypical Counselling

What do I do?

I offer holistic and creative counselling and sandplay therapy to adults, young people and children facing a range of difficulties and challenges in life. One of the main areas I work in is finding ways to manage anxiety and depression. Feeling overwhelmed and not knowing where to start can be a daunting place.

In addition to this I offer a specialist neurodiversity service working with Autism, Aspergers and ADHD.

I offer support and therapy for siblings and family members either in my private practice in Horsforth or in the child/young persons school or home.

What I can offer

1:1 Counselling for Adults
1:1 Counselling for Children and Teens
Family work and support in the home
Counselling and support for siblings and family members

Difficulties I can help with

Anxiety
Depression
Work stress
Family issues
Attachment
Carer support
Family issues
Gender Dysphoria
ADHD
Asperger's - help both pre and post diagnosis
Autism
Bipolar

All the sessions I provide are bespoke and unique to the child/adults needs and I always work in a person centered way ensuring the best possible outcome for all my clients.

Some of the ways I can help

Managing difficult emotions

Depression, fear, and anxiety are some of the most common and uncomfortable emotions that people can experience, that sense of being overwhelmed can stop you in your tracks. Through counselling and support I am able to provide children,young people and adults with strategies to overcome these powerful emotions and feelings.

Understanding Diagnosis

The way I work promotes difference not deficit. When working with children and young people I use ways which appeal to them to help them understand their own diagnosis and how autism and other related differences relates to them.

Atypical COVID 19 Risk Assessment

Physical safety and risk of infection

1. Reducing risk of contamination and spread before/during/after a session.

ACTION:

Therapy room will be cleaned and disinfected before appointments.
The therapy chairs, table, door handles and other surfaces will be wiped down with antibacterial wipes.
Clients are able to use the on-site toilets (as indicated by the therapist) and antibacterial wipes are available to clean down the door handle, toilet seat, flush area, taps and sink after use.
Each client will wait in the waiting area before their session and be collected by myself (Steph)
Only the therapist will open and close any doors with a clean tissue or wipe and use hand sanitiser.
Therapist and client will sit at least 2m apart.
After each client leaves, windows and doors left open for at least 5 minutes to air the room.
Paper towels will be available for the washing & drying of hands
A wipe should be used to open the toilet door after using the facilities.
Clients should bring their own drinking water (or alternative) as none can safely be provided at present
Hand sanitiser and tissues are available throughout the session for clients to use.

2. PPE of therapist and client

ACTION:Hand sanitiser and tissues will be available throughout the session

3. Social distancing in relation to entering/leaving and seating arrangements

ACTION:

The therapist will open the door fully and step back to allow the client to cross the threshold safely
Hand sanitiser will be available for the client to use on arrival.
The therapist will wait for the client to be seated and will then enter the room.The chairs will be 2 metres apart
On leaving, the therapist will open doors using a clean tissue and be followed by the client – maintaining social distance wherever possible.

4. Session length - impact of time spent in therapy room

ACTION:

In order to allow sufficient time to properly disinfect the room before the next client, from this point on, all face to face session times will reduce to 50 minutes.
Some therapy methods may require more time but this will be agreed between the therapist and client.

5. Ongoing Review

ACTION:Each party holds an obligation to be aware of and report to the other, any factors which may occur which could increase the risk of infection during the time face to face sessions.