I trained as an integrative therapist at the University of Greenwich, where I completed the MSc in Therapeutic Counselling (Distinction). I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (http://www.bacp.co.uk/), the largest regulating body within the sector. You can find out more about what registration means here http://www.bacpregister.org.uk/ . I continue to learn from my work with clients and ongoing professional development.
Recent training has included becoming a Foundation for Infant Loss Accredited Provider.
Integrative Therapy
Making the decision to start therapy can provoke anxiety and fear for some. We all feel more or less comfortable with our vulnerability at different times. The sessions recognise this. Creating an environment which helps to ensure you feel safe and able to manage any difficult feelings is an important part of our work together. There is never any expectation for you to talk about anything unless you feel ready to do so.
There are many different therapeutic approaches and models. Integrative therapy enables me as a practitioner to tailor the work we do together through drawing on different elements of some of these approaches and models. Predominantly I use a humanistic, person-centred approach which is rooted in psychodynamic practice. I have been trained to work with Petruska Clarkson’s Five Therapeutic Relationships model, which suggests there are five types of relationship which may be present between client and therapist at different times. I hold the importance of the relationship between the client and therapist at the core of my practice. I continue to explore and develop means of holding this using electronic and audio-visual methods of contact. In addition I have a particular personal and research interest in ways of expressing individual experiences of loneliness and aloneness, states of being we can all grapple with.
My practice is guided by The Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions, produced by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. This outlines the values and principles which I work towards and embrace in my practice. In particular I am mindful of ensuring client autonomy, the just treatment of clients which acknowledges difference and promoting the overall well-being of clients using a tailored approach.
I encourage clients to explore different methods of expression within sessions and remain open to any ideas for ways of working clients may bring. This may include the use of art, poetry, music and photographs.
Rochelle batten 