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Experienced Psychologists and Psychotherapists in Dorchester
Psychotherapy and Counselling
How lucky we are to be living in an age where there is no stigma in asking for help.
Many people come for Psychotherapy and Counselling when they are experiencing difficulties in their lives, loss, bereavement, illness, life crisis, a transition, work or relationship problems, a sense of unhappiness or dissatisfaction, depression, anxiety or simply a desire to know themselves more deeply.
Psychotherapy and Counselling is a process which seeks to help you gain a sense of wholeness, well-being, resilience & self-awareness.
Psychotherapy and Counselling may be provided for individuals or children, couples, families and groups. There are many different Psychotherapeutic approaches such as —
Psychodynamic | Humanistic | Person Centred | Integrative | Analytic | Transpersonal | Gestalt | Cognitive Behavioural (CBT) | Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) | Psychosynthesis | Core Process | Body Psychotherapy | Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) | and the popular new Technique Eye Movement and Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy for Trauma and PTSD.
Although all these different methods can be a bit perplexing when you are seeking help and not sure of what would work best for you – most Psychotherapists and Counsellors would agree that its a very personal choice and that meeting someone and getting a sense of whether you could feel safe enough to open up and talk with them is a good starting point.
How do I book an appointment with a therapist?
Please be aware each therapist manages their own practice. To enquire about Psychotherapy, please contact the therapist directly. All contact details can be found below. Thank you.
Sharon Sheppard
Counsellor & Clinical Supervisor
BA (HONS) COUNSELLING, REGISTERED MEMBER MBACP(ACCRED), PG CERT.CLINICAL SUPERVISION
You may be troubled by past events or fearful of the future. It may that you are seeking to understand where you are today or feel adrift. Anxiety, depression, trauma, phobia’s, addictions, families, employment and bereavements affect us all in different ways.
As an experienced integrative counsellor, I offer a safe, empathic space, for us to build a therapeutic relationship, where you feel able to explore the fears and challenges that are troubling you, in a way that respects your understanding of life.
I believe that we all have the capacity to move beyond the holds of past experiences and to address our fears for the future, leading to a more satisfied and confident life.
Coming to counselling may provoke fear as we contemplate sharing difficulties, as a registered accredited Counsellor I am bound by the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions. This ensures that you are my primary concern when we are working together, I will maintain professional standards, show you respect and build a working relationship with you. At all times, I will maintain integrity and be accountable for the work we undertake.
My integrative training means that I have studied and evaluated many different counselling theories and can draw on this knowledge to ensure that you are fully supported and understand the work we do.
BOOK A FREE COUNSELLING SESSION:
To find out more please telephone or email to arrange an initial free consultation. Sessions are usually weekly and last for 50 minutes.
I also offer Clinical Supervision for experienced and trainee counsellors. Please contact to discuss fees and requirements. Group Supervision is an option for between 2 & 4 people. Reports completed collaboratively in sessions.
Post Graduate Studies in Psychotherapy & Mental Health - Peter Symonds College
BA(Hons) Counselling - University of Winchester
PG Certificate in Clinical Supervision - University of Derby
PG Certificate Substance Misuse and Mental Health (Dual Diagnosis)-Middlesex University
Registered member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Counselling Fees — From £55
Tel — 0782 7486 222
Dr Linda Bolton
Chartered Clinical Psychologist
BSC(ECON),MSC,PGCE,D.CLIN.PSY, CPSYCHOL
I am a highly experienced Chartered Clinical Psychologist and therapist and for over 30 years, have enjoyed working with adults, children, adolescents and their families, both within my roles in the NHS in Dorset, Somerset and Central London, and for the past 15 years, in my independent practice. I have also recently valued spending several years as a Clinical Tutor at the Exeter University training Clinical Psychologists.
A main feature of my work has been around helping children, young people and adults with emotional distress, relationship and behavioural difficulties, who have found themselves feeling 'stuck'. The therapeutic work can involve working with individuals, parents, siblings, partners and families.
Over the years since qualifying I have trained in a range of additional therapeutic interventions including:
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
Systemic family work, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP)
Compassion Based Therapy.
I have expertise in helping those, who within their relationships, experience a range of difficulties including anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, sleep and eating difficulties, trauma (including PTSD), low self-esteem and low mood, and bereavement difficulties. Additional specific expertise in the impact of chronic health conditions such as Diabetes, CFS/ME and pain.
As a Clinical Psychologist I have completed broad and rigorous training and am qualified in both assessment and a broad range of therapeutic psychological approaches, all of which have a strong evidence base. Given my extensive clinical experience I will also draw on my knowledge of those approaches that have worked well and have been helpful to others. I have particular interest in trauma, including developmental trauma, and in discovering the attachment styles and patterns of relating, that can continue throughout our lives.
I recognise the great importance of the therapeutic relationship. I believe it is essential to provide you with a space where you feel comfortable, supported and safe to talk openly about any distress and where you feel listened with compassion and empathy.
Chartered by the British Psychological Society. Registered with the Health Professionals Council.
Session Fees: Please Enquire
Tel — 07881 857 891
Dr Sharon Winward
Consultant Clinical Psychologist
BSC, MSC, D.CLIN.PSYCH
I am a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, registered with Health and Care Professions Council, the statutory for our profession. I have over 20 years experience working for the NHS. I have an Honours Degree in Psychology; a Masters Degree in Health Psychology; a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and a Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.
Since qualifying I have trained further in a number of different evidence based approaches: Eye Movement and Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and compassion based approaches. I work individually with adults and young adults.
In coming to see a Psychologist, it is important to have a safe and confidential space, in order to find an approach that works for you. In meeting, we can start to make sense of your situation and find ways of making change for the better. We would work together collaboratively, to help you draw on your strengths, to allow you to move forward in your life, at your own pace, in your own time, and with support.
Alongside my private practice, I also spend part of my week working in the NHS, leading a team of psychologists who work with adults accessing our community mental health teams. I work with people with a range of difficulties across the spectrum of severity, and provide supervision to the staff working alongside them.
Expertise in the following areas -
Depression
Anxiety, Generalised Anxiety and Social Anxiety
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Work Related Stress
Phobias and Fears
Life Transitions and Change
Sleep Issues
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
I have a particular interest working with people recovering from trauma, whether that be a one off unexpected traumatic event, or more complex long standing issues such as childhood abuse and neglect.
Registration: Health & Care Professions Council Membership. EMDR Association UK. Enhanced DBS
Therapy/EMDR Fees — £120
Email — Psychology Today Profile
Tel — 01305 232522
Antoinette Keogh
Counsellor & Life Coach
COUNSELLING IN EDUCATION MSC, DIPLOMA IN THERAPEUTIC COUNSELLING CPCAB, CBT LEVEL 5 DIPLOMA, PGCE
I have over 25 years of experience, working in education; involved in training, mentoring and counselling both teachers and students. I decided to deepen my knowledge and further my expertise in 2011 and started practising independently as a counsellor. As well as my private practice, I currently work with adolescents and young adults in higher and further education.
I am passionate about the power of counselling and coaching to effect positive change. I offer therapy aimed at your personal needs in a confidential and safe space. ‘Person-centred’, is at the core of my therapy, however I draw on a range of approaches including:
Psychodynamic Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Gestalt Therapy
Transactional Analysis
Solution-focused Brief Therapy.
I also offer Life Coaching for those who feel stuck in a particular area of their life and need guidance to move forward to their preferred future. This involves creating strategies and making clear goals and targets to achieve aim.
Naomi David
Psychotherapeutic Counsellor
*Naomi is currently at capacity and not taking on any new clients.
Qualified Psychotherapeutic Counsellor,
I am a qualified and Accredited Psychotherapeutic Counsellor and Clinical Supervisor, working with adults, young people, children, couples, families, groups, EAPs and companies. I have a lot of experience working with a variety of presenting issues e.g. bereavement, anxiety, depression, stress, relationship difficulties, PTSD, trauma, chronic pain and eating disorders, to name a few. However, we can also work together if you aren't sure what your problems are; but you feel a warm, professional, non-judgemental and confidential space is what you need. The process is about tailoring the sessions to your individual need and ensuring we work with the whole of you! I offer a flexible appointment system with evening sessions available.
I believe in the idea of "working with the whole person". Therefore, I offer what is wanted, relevant and mutually agreed with you. I offer therapy aimed at your own personal needs in a confidential and safe environment, where we can work together in a non-judgemental and respectful way allowing you the time to explore your own emotions and thoughts.
My work as a Clinical Supervisor means I offer; professional & ethical support to other therapists to ensure client work is safe, for both client and counsellor.
In addition to this I work in a school & college in Poole (for 4 - 25yrs) on a Tuesday & Wednesday as the Lead Counsellor & Head of Wellbeing.