MEET THE TEAM

BECKY WEIR

Therapy Services Lead

MA, MBACP Accred.

Becky has been working as a counsellor since 2006 working with all areas of mental health and difficult life issues, she has a background working with trauma and sexual violence.  She has recently completed training in EMDR which allows a specialist approach to trauma work.  She is a qualified clinical supervisor and accredited counsellor and member of the BACP.  She is also qualified and experienced in working with young people.  She is currently training with her dog Luna to provide Animal Assisted Therapy.

SHELAGH FISHER

Placement Manager

BA, MBACP Reg.

Shelagh has been a counsellor since 2006 working with all areas of mental health and difficult life issues, she has a background in drug and alcohol services and specialises in trauma work and sexual violence.  She is trained in working with bereavement, mental health, and time limited counselling.  She is a registered member of the BACP.

LUNA

Trainee Therapy Dog

Luna is a Sheepadoodle who is beginning her journey to be a therapy dog.  She is currently in training and may sit in on sessions from time to time. For now she provides a friendly greeting and support to everyone in the office.

CHERI GILLINGS

BSc, MBACP Reg.

Cheri is one of our team of Qualified Counsellors.

Cheri is a qualified counsellor and coach who has a range of experience including working with children and young people. She has been working with a range of mental health issues and is now undertaking training in CBT so has joined the team and has completed her placement for her BSc.

MICK GRAHAM

Clinical Lead

FdSc, MBACP Reg.

Mick is one of our team of Qualified Counsellors and a Clinical Supervisor

Mick is a professional & highly motivated individual who practices predominantly from the person-centred approach, but has experience using other approaches in his work. He has worked as a school counsellor, volunteered in a local hospice and currently specialise in supporting clients affected by trauma and sexual violence.

Mick provides clinical supervision for counsellors and others in the helping professions.

He has hands-on experience in mentoring children and young adults regarding various experiences including anxiety, self-harm, educational, social, and family issues. He is skilled in supporting and guiding children/adults about various life prospects with keen focus on improving mental health and lifestyle.

SARAH HICKMAN

Counselling Co-ordinator

MSc, MBACP Reg.

Sarah is one of our team of Qualified Counsellors.

Sarah is a BACP registered Psychotherapeutic Counsellor, working from an integrative approach. She graduated from Staffordshire University with a Masters focused around perinatal mental health. 

She has experience working with a wide range of mental health issues including depression, anxiety and work-based stress.  

Sarah also supports students throughout their time at University, as a Specialist Mental Health Mentor. This involves introducing organisational and time management skills, combined with a solution- focused approach to enable students to overcome their barriers to education.  

She has also completed further training around Autism and ADHD and is continuing to develop her experience and knowledge in these areas.

MADDY BRADLEY

L4 Dip. MBACP Reg.

Maddy is one of our team of Newly Qualified Counsellors.

Maddy has recently completed her Diploma in counselling, specialising in CBT. She has a wide range of experience working with mental health issues as well as trauma work and self-esteem.

She is now also offering couples/relationship therapy after undertaking further training.

Maddy hopes to further her training by studying equine therapy and currently delivers workshops around rider confidence.

ANDREA PALMER

L5 Dip. MBACP Reg.

Andrea is one of our team of Newly Qualified Counsellors.

Andrea started her counselling training back in 2018 and has just completed her Level 5 diploma in counselling. Previous to this, she achieved a BSc in Criminology & Criminal Justice studies with law at the university of Plymouth.

She works from an integrative approach allowing her to work with a variety of clients.  With experience working with a wide range of mental health issues, including past trauma, self-esteem, anxiety and past abuse.

JO TONKS

L5 Dip. MBACP Reg.

Jo is one of our team of Newly Qualified Counsellors.

Jo has completed her diploma in Counselling and her placement hours. 

Jo works from an integrative approach and is gaining experience in many areas of mental health and issues in life that you may struggle and find difficult, including a wide range of mental health issues and sexual violence.

Jo is a warm and empathetic counsellor who offers a non-judgemental and safe space for you to explore your personal challenges, make sense of them, and find your own solutions when needed.

SARAH CLARKE

L4 Dip. NCS student member

Sarah is one of our team of Trainee Counsellors.

Sarah is currently completing her placement to gain her Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling and practices using person centred, transactional analysis and gestalt approaches.

She has experience working with a range of mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. She hopes to complete her training by summer 2023.

Katie Poole

L4 Dip. BACP Student Member.

Katie is one of our team of trainee counsellors and is currently undertaking her placement to gain her Diploma in Integrative Therapeutic Counselling.

Katie primarily works from a person centred approach and she offers an empathetic, safe, and non-judgemental space for clients to explore their feelings. She has experience with listening services and volunteering with victims of past trauma and a variety of mental health issues. 

Katie will qualify in 2025 and aims to further continue her training to offer more specific counselling for victims of trauma and abuse. 

ALI LLOYD

FdSc Counselling MBACP Student.

Ali is one of our team of Trainee Counsellors

Ali has recently started her placement hours; she has been working with us for a year as an Intern and is about to start her second year of her course. She will be working from a Person Centred approach, although she has some experience using other approaches.

She has a background in children's social care and youth work.

TRACEY BARNES

L4 Dip. BACP student member

Tracey is one of our team of Trainee Counsellors.

Tracey is currently completing her placement to gain her Diploma in Integrative Therapeutic Counselling.

Tracey offers a safe, non-judgemental space for clients and is warm and empathetic. She has experience working with a range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression and low self esteem. Tracey will complete her training in 2024.

CHRIS MANDALE

L4 Dip. BACP student member

Chris is one of our team of Trainee Counsellors.

Chris is currently completing his placement to gain a Diploma in Person Centred counselling.

Chris provides counselling both face to face and online currently and has experience working with a range of mental health issues, including depression and anxiety.

HANNAH PURDIE

L3 Counselling Certificate

Hannah is about to start her L3 certificate and plans to continue on to her L4 to become a qualified counsellor.

Hannah has a wide range of experience in business, organisational roles as well as supporting/mental health support roles and has joined us to support the organisation continue to provide low cost accessible counselling services to the community.

Amelia (Mill) Watt

PGDip. BACP Student Member

Mill is one of our team of trainee counsellors.

Mill is currently completing her placement as part of an MSc in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy, with an interest in eco-anxiety and mindfulness.

She has experience of supporting individuals through a range of mental health crises, and works from a mainly Person Centred approach, with some elements of CBT and transactional analysis. Mill will complete her training in 2024.

Amy Ayers-Joyce

L4 Dip. BACP Student Member

Amy is one of our team of trainee counsellors and is currently undertaking her placement to gain her Diploma in Integrative Therapeutic Counselling, though works primarily from a person centered approach.

Amy has experience of working with children in her other employment as a Special Support Assistant and Pastoral Lead within a first school.

In addition to this, Amy has worked with a range of mental health issues including depression and anxiety as well as experience of working with gender dysphoria.