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Psychotherapist & Counsellor Based in Billericay

Hi, I’m Nicki

I am a qualified Person Centred and Attachment Based Psychotherapist. I am trauma trained. I offer therapy sessions, face-to-face, based in my private therapy room in Billericay and I also work online within the UK.

I will provide you with the opportunity to explore your issues in a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space. My goal is to establish a therapeutic relationship that is built on trust and mutual respect. The connection between you as the client and myself is of great importance to me. My role is not to give you answers but to help you discover the answers for yourself. I can help you to explore difficult thoughts and feelings that can arise within the challenges of life. Additionally, I may share some psycho-education when I feel it will support and guide you.

My core approach is Person-Centred

Person-Centred Therapy is a type of counselling that has the view that, everyone has the capacity and desire for personal growth and change when they are in the right environment and conditions. The counsellor is not considered to be the expert or as director of the therapy, but instead offers the vital core conditions; unconditional positive regard, empathy and congruence to help you come to terms with any negative feelings and to change and develop in your own way.

Attachment-Based Psychotherapy is a supportive and empowering approach to therapy that focuses on building healthy relationships and emotional well-being.

  • Focuses on attachment: Attachment theory is a well-established framework for understanding how early relationships impact our emotional development. By acknowledging its importance, I can help you to have an understanding of the root causes of potential issues.
  • Safe and secure environment: This is crucial for any therapy to be successful. By emphasising creating a safe space, I will aid you to feel safe so that you can be open and vulnerable without fear of judgment.
  • Building self-worth and relationships: Many therapeutic goals revolve around these two areas. I can help clients develop healthier relationships with compassion for yourself and others.
  • Reduced conflict and improved emotional regulation: These are common struggles for many people in therapy.By working on these improvements, it will potential benefits your overall life experience.
  • Psycho-education: is an excellent tool for helping you as the client to understand your own experiences and it can promote self-awareness and will help you to engage in the therapeutic process.

My professional background; includes working for Samaritans; helping those when they need crisis support is one of the reasons I decided to train to be a counsellor in the first place. I currently work for Circles South East, supporting survivors of sexual abuse and trauma. In my previous counselling experience, I have worked in a secondary school supporting teenagers. I have also worked for a lower-cost counselling service; to allow those on lower incomes to be able to access counselling.

A bit about my background…

I was a hairdresser for the previous 22 years; they always say hairdressers are part counsellors and they are right to a degree. It has enabled me to hone my listening skills and build people’s confidence; with great hair! I owned a hairdressing salon in the past; which was an amazing part of my life and I ran it successfully for 12 years. Additionally, I  had the privilege of training many new successful hairdressers. As I had devoted my life to the salon and spent so much time looking after others, I ended up neglecting myself. I decided to seek counselling to help myself understand my struggles, which was a game changer for me.

I have been on my counselling journey for a long time, as in the past I suffered with anxiety, suicidal thoughts and depression. Additionally, I have worked through my past traumatic bullying days, close bereavements, loss of friendships/relationships and worked on my sense of self-worth. I will continue to have counselling as I feel this is important for myself and my clients.

In my personal therapy, I have found someone to talk to, that is not in my inner circle, an enlightening and invaluable experience. It has provided me with a greater level of self-awareness; it has helped me to put boundaries in place, which I sorely lacked and I feel better for this self-discovery. It has not been easy journey, but has taught me how to be accepting of my authentic self. I will continue to work on myself within my therapy, as I feel it will be invaluable in helping me be a better counsellor for my clients.

 

Training and Qualifications

I am a fully qualified counsellor and a resgistered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP).

I adhere to the BACP Ethical Framework for the counselling professions and have regular supervision. I am fully insured, and have a Enhanced DBS. My qualifications include:

  • CPCAB Level 5 Attachment Based Psychotherapy (Recently completed)
  • CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
  • CPCAB Level 3 Counselling Skills
  • CPCAB Level 2 Counselling Skills
  • Diploma in The Beech Practice Trauma Training
My prior training includes:
  • Samaritans Listening Volunteer Training
  • The Beech Practice Trauma Training – 3 Phase Trauma model/Safety Techniques
  • Circle South East Vicarious Trauma Training
  • Circles South East Pre-Trail Therapy Training

To continue my learning, I regularly attend ongoing Continuous Professional Development (CPD) courses so that I keep up to date with as much information as possible.