About Me

Hello and welcome to my profile. Due to the current pandemic all my sessions are held remotely, online until further notice. I have been working online with clients for about 2 years and I find it can work really well. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about this or any other aspect of my work.

There are times in life when we all need some extra help and support to solve a difficult issue, it is my belief that everyone has the capacity and the potential to resolve emotional issues and, as a result, feel empowered and fulfilled.

Below is one of a testimonial written by one of my clients:
“I felt really heard and understood in my sessions with Deborah, that in itself helped me release the blocks that were stopping me from moving forwards"
I am a counsellor and psychotherapist with 19 years experience, this includes 3 years as the clinical manager of a counselling service in GP surgeries in Darlington. I have a Masters degree in Integrative Psychotherapy and, as well as being registered with the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) I am also registered with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) I also hold a Diploma in Clinical Supervision and have supervised psychotherapists, counsellors and students for over 10 years.

I have worked with hundreds of clients presenting with a whole range of issues including relationship issues, stress, anxiety, low mood, depression, work related issues, trauma, PTSD and gender issues (for a full list see below) I work with teenagers (18 years or older) and adults of all ages including older adults.

I offer a safe and non judgemental therapeutic environment where you'd be able to understand what's going on for you right now and then devise ways to resolve and manage your current concerns. I work in a respectful way being particularly sensitive to your individual needs. I offer a range of approaches from brief focussed (where a more immediate solution is needed) to longer term, more in depth therapy.
My first career was physiotherapy so all in all I have over 30 years working one to one in health care. It was whilst working as a physiotherapist that I realised that what I found most rewarding was to help people with their emotional issues so I decided to train in counselling and psychotherapy. I feel privileged to witness people becoming more resilient and fulfilled and getting what they want from life.

Continuous professional development is a key aspect of my practice and I ensure I keep up to date with recent developments in the field of counselling and psychotherapy including for example the important contributions which neuroscience continues to make to the profession. More recently I have started training in Internal Family Systems (IFS), a very effective and powerful modality. I abide by UKCP's codes of Ethics and Practice.

My practice is based in a very comfortable and quiet room in my home, near Yarm where I offer daytime, evening appointments and parking is free.
You are welcome to contact me by email or phone so we can have an initial free 'no obligation' conversation to discuss how I can help.
Qualifications:

Master of Science in Integrative Psychotherapy

Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy
Certificate and Diploma in Clinical Supervision

Graduate Diploma in Physiotherapy (Chartered Physiotherapist)

Recent training: Internal Family Systems Therapy



Intensive trauma treatment (Bessel van der Kolk)
Somatic trauma treatment (Peter Levine)
Working towards the resolution of shame (Janina Fisher, Sue Parker Hall)
Mindfulness practices (Dan Siegel)

A series of experiential workshops deepening my personal development

Somatic Trauma Therapy with Babette Rothschild: a method of working with trauma devised by one of the experts in the field
EMDR levels 1 and 2, a very effective therapy used for a whole range of issues which is endorsed by NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence)

Working with severe depression and suicidal ideation

Group work training
Experience:

The whole range of emotional issues including anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, depression, stress, relationship issues, parent-child concerns, attachment issues, bereavement, life stage issues, trauma, post traumatic stress disorder, gender dysphoria, childhood issues, abuse, work related issues, domestic violence, low self worth, confidence issues, self harm, anger management, bullying, gender identity issues, sexuality, pregnancy and birth, career counselling, lack of direction in life.

I work with

• Individuals

Types of Therapies Offered

• Integrative Psychotherapist

What I can help with

• Age-related Issues
• Anger Management
• Anxiety
• Bereavement
• Bullying
• Chronic Illness
• Cultural Issues
• Depression
• Disability
• Domestic Violence
• Employment Difficulties
• Gender
• Health-related Issues
• Identity Problems
• Obsessions
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Online Counselling
• Parents
• Phobias
• Physical Abuse
• Post-Traumatic Stress
• Private Practice Issues
• Race Issues
• Relationships
• Sex Problems
• Sexual Abuse
• Stress
• Suicide
• Supervision
• Telephone Counselling
• Those at Risk of Sexual Offending
• Transgender
• Trauma
• Workplace Counselling