Helen founded Wellspring therapy service, based in the Malvern Hills, UK.
Its aim is to:
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provide a professional counselling service for young people and adults
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improve workplace wellbeing
About Helen and Wellspring
Experience
I have worked with clients on issues including abuse, anxiety, bereavement, depression, health problems, loss, low self-confidence, relationships, stress and trauma. I also work with Employee Assistance Programmes and workplaces to support employees with their mental health and with students and young people. Before setting up the therapy practice, I saw clients in a not-for-profit counselling agency and for Cruse Bereavement Care.
From 2001-2019 I worked in the charity sector, mainly in communications (for over 12 years) where I liaised with people affected by cancer and their families for Cancer Research UK. I also have a BA hons degree in English and Politics from the University of Southampton.
Professional training and membership
I am a registered member of the BACP. I have a Counselling Diploma in Professional Studies (accredited training) from the University of the West of England, Bristol. I have an enhanced DBS certificate - working with children and adults, clinical supervision, liability insurance and am committed to ongoing professional development.
I have completed additional training (over 150 hours) to work with young people aged 11 and over, Counselling for Young People from the University of the West of England.
Other training includes
Impact of Covid 19 and online therapy
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Coronavirus: considering our responses and responsibilities [BACP webinars]
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Moving your practice online [Online Therapy Institute certificate]
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Dr Bessel Van der Kolk on the global coronavirus crisis: Steering our clients through new and developing traumas [PESI UK]
Anxiety and depression
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Addressing postnatal depression as a healthcare professional [University of Exeter]
- Understanding anxiety, depression and CBT [University of Reading]
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Understanding depression and low mood in young people [University of Reading]
Other selected training
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Awareness in Bereavement Care [Cruse]
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Neuroscience basics [University of Birmingham]
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Parenting and personality dysfunction: affects of adverse childhood experiences [Nscience UK]
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Trauma informed training working with people with learning disabilities and autism [Respond]
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Working with mental health in the workplace [BACP Conference, Leeds]
Raising awareness of mental health
In 2019 I spoke in a range of settings, from KS2 primary school children to charity professionals at a CharityComms wellbeing event at Amnesty International in London, alongside the Samaritans and Mental Health First Aid. I have also written for the CharityComms Wellbeing Guide, which contains helpful tips for wellbeing at work.
Research and counselling
Research into mental health and counselling is really important to show what helps people and what can be improved. I am currently participating in the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy's ADaPT research study. This study involves measuring client's progress and asking clients for regular feedback.
Here's my blog on the BACP website - Reflecting the reality of the client (bacp.co.uk)
If you are a therapist and interested in promoting research or collaborating with other professionals to develop practitioner research, please get in touch below.
Helen speaking at the CharityComms wellbeing event in London in 2019