Bringing light to your darkness…

– Shirley Anthony

“My diverse career means I have a wider than average skillset for you to call upon. Trained in many different theories, I believe one type doesn’t fit all because every person is different. As a member of the BACP, I work within their ethical framework; confidentiality is assured at all times.”

I am a qualified psychotherapist, having trained in psychotherapy at St. Marys London. I obtained a diploma in Psychotherapy counselling. My placement was at Mind where I worked with clients with a variety of mental health issues, it was with Mind that I decided to work in an integrative way, which is working with various therapies. This helps me provide a bespoke service for my clients as everyone’s issues are personal.

I am a MBACP qualified counsellor, and work to the BACP boundaries and ethics. My qualifications have enabled me to work in many sectors with the public and my private practice.

At present these include HMP prison service, lead counsellor for Living Well Bromley counselling service and I am one of the volunteer senior counsellors for Mind, dealing with complex cases.

I continue to develop my skills by completing new courses; the most recent are chronic anxiety and a rewind course for phobias and trauma. I believe that by keeping myself developed in my profession will give my clients the best possible outcome.

Before starting counselling sessions, we will have an initial assessment appointment giving us both a chance to get to know each other. During this session, I will try to understand the reasons why you are seeking counselling, focusing on your experiences and how they are affecting your daily mental health. This helps me to get a sense of the kind of counselling you may require and gives you the chance to express your thoughts and emotions. The assessment session is also an opportunity for you to see whether you feel comfortable with counselling and would like to work with me.

 

Training, qualifications & experience

  • MBACP Registered Integrative Counsellor

  • Accredited Psychotherapist National Counselling Association

  • Counselling (Adv Dip)

  • Drug and Alcohol Practioner in HMP                                             

  • Certificate in Couples Counselling (HG)

  • Certificate in Chronic Anxiety (HG)

  • Hypnotherapy and Counselling Skills (Dip CST)

  • Hypnotherapy Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR)

  • Safeguarding Training (MIND)

  • Gestalt training (MIND)

  • Resilience Working with Youths (MIND)

Regarding the value of your counselling service, in my experience this has been an invaluable resource offering a uniquely personalised and high-quality standard of care as one attempts to piece oneself back together. The insight gained into myself and my situation through these sessions continues to help me enact positive and lasting change. The level of genuine concern for my wellbeing that I have experienced is a rare and precious thing. As a resource I cannot praise it too highly and on a personal level, I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to call Shirley’s intervention quite literally life-saving, something for which I (and, no doubt, my loved ones also) will be forever grateful.

Client 2020