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.

MICK GRAHAM

Clinical Lead

L6 Dip, MBACP Accred.

Mick is one of our team of Accredited 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.

Qualified Counsellors

JO TONKS

L5 Dip. MBACP Reg.

Jo is one of our team of 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.

GEMMA STEPHENSON

BA, MBACP Reg.

Gemma has experience of working as a counsellor with children and young people at Base 25.  She has worked with adults, conducting clinical assessments for mental health presentations within the NHS Talking Therapies service. 

Currently, she works within the Therapeutic Team within a children's residential setting, alongside counselling for the Midland Therapy Group. 

Gemma has worked with a range of presentations, including depression and anxiety, change and life adjustment, trauma, and support with acceptance around change or influential conditions that may increase challenges faced in life.  Gemma is currently working towards accreditation within the BACP.

SHELAGH FISHER

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. 

Shelagh is also trained to work with couples and can provide an assessment to discuss this further.

TRACEY BARNES

L4 Dip. MBACP Reg.

Tracey is a qualified integrative therapeutic counsellor and is a registered member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists.

Tracey is warm, compassionate and empathetic and understands the importance of ensuring clients feel listened to in a safe and supportive environment. Tracey works predominantly from a person-centred approach but incorporates a variety of modalities depending on the unique lived experience of each client.

She has experience working with a wide range of mental health challenges including depression, anxiety, bereavement and low self-esteem and she has completed additional training in supporting clients navigate the long term impacts of trauma and domestic abuse.

Tracey has years of experience of working within the mental health community and supporting individuals facing emotional difficulties.

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.

Melanie Daw

Melanie is a qualified counsellor working with an integrative approach. This allows her to tailor the work to each of her client's needs, whether this is difficulties with relationships or struggling with anxiety and low self esteem.

Melanie is a registered member of the BACP and works with warmth and empathy allowing clients space to open up.

She has a background working with bereaved clients and also parents with children with additional needs.

She also completed an MSc exploring the psychological effects of the menopause in women. 

ANDREA PALMER

L5 Dip. MBACP Reg.

Andrea is one of our team of 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.

ALI LLOYD

FdSc, MBACP Reg.

Ali is one of our team of Newly Qualified Counsellors

Ali has completed her Foundation Degree in Counselling and has completed a Diploma in working with Children and Young People. She began working with us for a year as an Intern and then completed her placement hours in the second year of her course.

Ali works from a Person Centred approach, although she can use other approaches to adapt to the needs of the client.

She has a background in children's social care, youth work and working with adults with learning disabilities and autism.

JAMES TURRELL

L5 Dip. BACP Student Member

James is one of our team of Trainee Counsellors and is currently undertaking his L5 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling.

James has a passion for supporting people, developed through a number of educational experiences and senior leadership roles. James works from a integrative approach to counselling.

James has a background in the retail sector, transitioning to education as a lecturer in Business Management. James will complete his training in 2025 to become a qualified practitioner.

HELEN HORTON

Helen has completed a Foundation Degree in Counselling and a BA in Health and Social Care.

After completing an Introduction to Counselling course to help her offer support to the staff she was managing, Helen recognised the powerful nature of counselling, and following redundancy Helen completed her counselling qualifications.

Helen works using a Person-Centred approach, offering a warm, empathic space in which clients can explore and challenge their thoughts and feelings and be supported to find their way through life’s difficulties.

Helen has a particular interest in how our childhood experiences can impact our relationships; living with neurodiversity (especially when diagnosed later in life); and in loss and grief, whether that be loss of relationship, role or bereavement. Helen wishes to keep developing her knowledge and skills in those areas.

HANNAH PURDIE

L4 Dip. NCPS Student Member

Hannah is one of our Trainee Counsellors.

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

Hannah primarily works from a person centred approach and she offers a safe, and non-judgemental space for clients to explore their emotions. She has experience volunteering within a crisis helpline and has been supporting the organisation for the past year.

CHYNA CHAMBERS

MSc BACP Student Member

Chyna is a trainee counsellor currently undertaking her placement as part of her MSc in Psychotherapeutic Counselling at Staffordshire University.  

Working from an integrative approach, Chyna is able to adapt her practice to meet the unique needs of each individual. She brings experience from volunteering on crisis helplines and engaging in a range of supportive and educational roles, where she developed a strong foundation in helping people navigate a wide range of emotional and mental health challenges. 

Chyna is known for her warm, empathetic nature and her ability to create a safe, non-judgemental space. She is committed to helping you explore your experiences, understand your emotions, and discover your own path toward growth and healing.

LAYLA BOYLE

Layla is a trainee integrative therapist currently completing her MSc in Counselling & Psychotherapy. She brings a warm, down-to-earth approach to her work, creating a space where clients feel safe, heard, and genuinely understood. Layla tailors her approach to each individual, drawing on a range of therapeutic models to meet clients where they are. She has a particular interest in neurodiversity and is passionate about making therapy more accessible, inclusive, and affirming for neurodivergent individuals. Layla believes therapy doesn’t have to be intimidating, it can be a place for honesty, healing, and even a little lightness along the way.

CRAIG STOCK

L4 Dip. NCPS Student Member

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

Craig primarily works from a person centred approach and offers an empathetic, safe, and non-judgemental space for clients to explore their feelings and has a passion for supporting people. He has been a Foster Carer for the last 8 years supporting a variety of young people as well as working with the birth families and professionals.

Craig is committed to helping you explore your experiences, understand your emotions, and discover your own path towards personal growth and fulfilment.

KLAUDIA POLSKA

Klaudia is a trainee counsellor undertaking her placement as part of her MSCI in Psychology and Counselling at Birmingham City University. 

Klaudia works using a person-centred integrative approach understanding that everyone has unique experiences and tailoring your sessions and how she works to your own specific needs.