Carole Darbyshire

My usual working hours are weekdays between 08.30 to 17.00

It takes courage to start therapy, even searching for a therapist can be a daunting task but if you are ready to make changes that will take your life in a new direction, I can help.

Working together you will start to see things from a new perspective and discover your underlying strengths. We will develop new strategies to help you to build robust resources and a pathway to better mental and emotional wellbeing. You will discover practical ways of reducing stress, depression, isolation, anger or anxiety, whatever the cause, leaving you more able to enjoy a happier and more fulfilled life.

Increasing emotional resilience is key for a successful and satisfied life, as are; building skills, strategies, and understanding how our brains and bodies react the way they do. If we don't connect with why we are doing something, it can be really challenging to change it!

This is not a 'talking shop' we will work in a safe space providing an opportunity to empower you to make changes and take control. Enabling you to get back on track, develop clarity in the direction of your life and begin to achieve your goals.

I work with individuals, couples, and groups, including work-based teams, young people and school groups (enhanced DBS held), and am a qualified supervising counsellor. I use a range of approaches including Person Centred Counselling, CBT, Solution-Focused Therapy, Critical Incident Debriefing, Life Coaching, Stress/Anxiety Reduction, Anger Management, and Mindfulness - depending on your needs.

Although 97% of my clients have around six sessions, we will work at a pace which suits you and which enables you to develop the self-knowledge and resources you need.

Therapy gives us the opportunity to step back and discover a new perspective. I will work to support you in increasing your emotional resilience and creating a reliable, robust and sustainable approach to the challenges that you face.

I work from home and usually see clients weekly.  I offer face to face, and online sessions and work with clients across the country and globally.

I work holistically, looking at your situation and at the wider context,  research shows that this approach enables clients to take control of their lives and build their self esteem.

Working together we would assess the current situation and agree how best to move things forward. Counselling can be both a thoughtful, and a practical process so practising new skills is an integral part of the journey. 

We will build a confidential relationship, creating a safe space for you to express your concerns and be supported to find solutions which suit you best.

After an initial chat on the phone I share a copy of the counselling agreement which sets the framework and boundaries of our working relationship. The agreement ensures you get the best service and that your information is protected in line with legal requirements. 

Entering into therapy can be a real challenge and sharing the issues you are facing with a new person takes courage. Our first session will be the perfect opportunity to get to know one another and identify the reasons that you are looking for support, it gives us a chance to agree the initial focus and direction for further sessions.  

It's also a time to get to know one another and make sure we are comfortable working together. At the end of this session you can decide if you would like to take the therapy forwards and to arrange further sessions.

There is no requirement to book a series of sessions, indeed most clients book from week to week.

I am a qualified level 6 supervisor providing support for therapists and counsellors working with clients in workplace, school and private settings. I support them in;

Restorative interventions; looking after themselves, seeing the counsellor as key and supporting them to enable good practise  

Professional Development: Discussions around managing their practise or working environment. Working ethically and sharing knowledge and experience. 

Casework; dealing with clients, case notes,  interventions and relationships within the counselling setting,  both inside sessions and in the wider context. 

I take a holistic approach to my work as supervisor and counsellor. I trained in person centred therapy qualifying in 1996 and have built a practise since by training in CBT,  Critical Incident Support, Transactional Analysis and Solution Focused therapy. I have worked with Children and young people for 14 years as well as adults; individuals, groups and Employee Assistance Schemes. 

I teach Mindfulness and have a particular interest in resolving stress, anxiety and depression.

I work with special needs groups, children and adults, OCD, ADHD, ADD and with substance misuse and family/ relationship issues.

At the first session,we would spend time building a relationship, discovering if we can work well together and then agreeing a contract. This would include what we can expect of each other, how we can fulfil those expectations and when to review the supervision process, to ensure that it meets the changing needs of the counsellor being supervised.