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can Counselling or Psychotherapy help me? |
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A therapeutic practitioner helps you gain a new way of thinking about whatever is troubling you. Together you identify what is stopping you from reaching your full potential and what action you need to take to improve your situation. Therapeutic Practitioners look beyond presenting problems to possible underlying causes. The aim of the therapeutic process is to help you to understand and accept yourself and to change your behaviour to that which is likely to help you become the kind of person you want to be.
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| Our
Approach |
There are many different therapeutic models to choose from. Gladeana McMahon Associates is committed to an action-orientated form of therapy known as the Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT). CBT is highly interactive and promotes a collaborative relationship between the practitioner and the client.
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| Training |
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Our Associates hold a range of awards: BA, Psychology. Certified NLP Master Practitioner, NLP Time-Line Master Practitioner and NLP Certified Coach. MSc’s in Counselling. Diplomas in Cognitive Behavioural Counselling and Psychotherapy, Crisis and General Counselling. Primary Certificates in Critical Incident Stress Debriefing, Stress Counselling and Psychotherapy, Multimodal Therapy and Counselling, REBT (Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy) and PCP (Personal Construct Psychology), Advanced Certificate in REBT. Supervision and Consultation Course, Maudsley Hospital. AUTP approved Post Graduate Certificate in Behavioural Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychiatry. All Associates engage in Continued Professional Development on an annual basis.
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| Accreditation
& Fellowships |
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Gladeana McMahon is a Fellow, Senior Registered Practitioner, Accredited Practitioner and Supervisor, British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Accredited Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapist, Association for Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy. Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist, British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP). She is a Cognitive-Behavioural Psychotherapist who is United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy and UKRC Registered Independent Practitioner registered. A Fellow of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, Association for Coaching, Royal Society of Arts and Institute of Management Specialists she holds a range of therapeutic qualifications together with a Diploma in Management Studies and Certificates of Professional Competence in Stress Management, Trauma Counselling and Coaching from the Institute of Management Specialists. |
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| Codes
of Ethics |
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BACP and BABCP Codes of Ethics and Practice.
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| Fees |
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If you wish to cancel an appointment we require a full 24 hours notice otherwise you will be liable for the full cost of the missed session. Payment by an individual (cash or cheque) is made at the end of each session. Organisations are invoiced on a monthly basis or at the end of a given contract period. Fees are subject to annual review and non-payment of fees may result in legal action.
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| Supervision |
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Professional bodies such as the BACP, BABCP and UKCP believe that good therapeutic practice requires the regular supervision of cases to ensure therapeutic standards are maintained. Supervision is a form of consultation and is deemed essential regardless of how experienced the practitioner is.
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| Confidentiality
and Access to Case Notes |
The trust between client and practitioner is crucial to the success of the therapeutic process and we treat all information disclosed as confidential. Any details the practitioner’s supervisor receives is also treated as confidential and we do not disclose client details to any third party without the client's permission.
However, if in the practitioner’s opinion, clients are either a danger to themselves or to others we do reserve the right to inform the appropriate agencies and we are also bound by the confines of the law with regards to disclosure issues. It is our practice, wherever possible, to inform the client first. We keep brief notes of the counselling sessions that you are entitled to see if you so wish.
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| Therapeutic
Process |
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We offer prospective clients an Assessment Interview. This gives both parties the opportunity to consider whether they wish to work together. It is just as important that you feel comfortable with your therapist, as it is that your therapist feels able to work with you. At the end of the first session we arrange to meet for an agreed number of sessions. There is no obligation to attend all the sessions arranged and you are free to terminate your therapy at any time. A review session takes place at the end of an agreed number of sessions when you and your practitioner jointly assess progress and what further action, if any, may be needed. Sessions last for one hour. If you are late arriving the session still finishes at the usual time.
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| ISSUES
FOR YOU TO CONSIDER WHEN SEEKING COUNSELLING OR PSYCHOTHERAPY
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Here is a list of topics or questions you may wish to consider when attending your initial Assessment session:
- Check your practitioner has the relevant qualifications and experience and is registered with an appropriate professional body
- Check the approach the practitioner uses, and how it relates to your problem.
- Check that the practitioner is in supervision (a professional requirement)
- Check that the practitioner or counselling agency is a member of a professional body and abides by a code of ethics. Wherever possible obtain a copy.
- Discuss your expectations of counselling and the goals you want to achieve.
- Ask about fees (if your income is low check to see if the practitioner operates a sliding scale) and discuss the frequency and estimated duration of counselling.
- Arrange regular review sessions with your practitioner to evaluate your progress.
- Do not be coerced into a long-term counselling contract unless you are satisfied that it is necessary and beneficial to you. Do not agree unless you believe there to be good reason for such a move.
If you do not have a chance to discuss the above points during your first session discuss them at the next possible opportunity.
GENERAL ISSUES
1. Practitioner self-disclosure can be therapeutically useful. However, if sessions are dominated by the practitioner discussing his/her own problems at length, raise this in the counselling session.
2. If you feel uncomfortable, undermined or manipulated at any time within the session discuss this with the practitioner. It is easier to resolve issues as and when they arise.
3. It is unethical for a practitioner to engage in sexual activity with current clients and research has shown it is not beneficial for clients to have sexual contact with their practitioner
4. Do not accept gifts from your practitioner. This does not apply to relevant therapeutic material.
5. Do not accept social invitations from your practitioner. However, this does not apply to relevant therapeutic assignments such as being accompanied by your practitioner into a situation to help you overcome a phobia.
6. If your practitioner proposes a change in venue without good reason (e.g. from a centre to the practitioner's home) do not agree.
7. If you have any doubts about the counselling you are receiving discuss them with your Practitioner. If you are still uncertain, seek advice.
8. You have the right to terminate counselling at any time you wish.
(Adapted from Palmer & Szymanska, 1994)
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