Hello & Welcome
I am Alison, a qualified Integrative Counsellor, who is passionate about holistic wellbeing. If you are feeling that parts of your life are unfulfilled or that your emotions and feelings are a roadblock to you becoming who you want to be, I can help to support you through your journey.
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If you are thinking about seeking help from counselling, I can offer you a friendly, calm, non-judgmental space. Making the decision to enter into counselling is not an easy one, but I will be there to support you on your journey in a way that enables you to feel safe, knowing you won’t be on that journey alone. I will be right there with you, to walk alongside you, and guide you to where you want to be.
Life's too short to be unhappy, unsure, or unfulfilled. Let me help you learn and develop better ways to handle the issues that are standing in the way of your goals.
About Me
Holistic wellbeing is hugely important to me, both personally and professionally. I believe there is a strong link between our physical and mental health. How our bodies feel, can affect how we feel emotionally, and how we feel can affect our physical health.
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I worked for many years providing health and wellbeing opportunities to the local community and have seen first hand the positive impact that physical activity can have on our mental wellbeing, and that by doing just one thing a week, such as a long walk, there can be a benefit to how we feel emotionally.
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Following my successful career in health and wellbeing, I set up my own private practice, ATB Counselling based in Bury St Edmunds, but with the ability to support people throughout the UK online or on the phone.
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In addition to my private practice, I work for a leading EAP service as the Recruitment and Training Manager. In this role, I recruit and train all the new counsellors that work in the EAP service, as well as developing and delivering the ongoing training these clinicians require.
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I have personally experienced how tough life can be at times, having suffered family loss, and am aware of the effect this can have on both us as individuals and the family as a whole.
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I see the therapeutic relationship, the connection between counsellor and client, as central to laying the best roots to provide a safe, non judgmental space for you to explore your thoughts, feelings and emotions. By engaging in this relationship, we can explore together, at your pace, what will help you. This will in turn allow you to grow and flourish into the person you want to be. My ambition is to empower you to find your own solutions to what’s going on for you, now and in the future.
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I believe that true wellbeing runs far deeper than finding contentment from moment to moment. We need to see ourselves as a whole person, and more than the sum of our parts ,in order to fulfil our overall happiness and I find great fulfilment in helping people to become the person they want to be.
Positive mental health is as crucial as nutrition, sleep, relationships, physical activity, family environment and interests. Once you establish the right balance of how you emotionally connect in these parts of your life, you can lead an independent and fulfilled life.
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Through counselling, we can explore together what’s going on in your life, how this is affecting you emotionally, how you would like things to be different, and how we can work together to make the changes you are wanting in your life.
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I have experience with and can help with
Loss/bereavement, Cancer, Child related issues, Anxiety, Depression, Irrational thinking, Self harm, Women’s issues, Suicidal feelings, Burnout, Work related issues, Relationship issues, Drug & alcohol addiction, Emotional difficulties, OCD, Health anxiety, Financial debt, Older people’s health, Pregnancy related issues, Redundancy, Self esteem, Social anxiety.
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Qualifications and Continued Professional Development (CPD)
I hold an Advanced Therapeutic Diploma in Integrative Counselling and I am registered as Member of British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists, MBCAP and I am committed to a programme of ongoing CPD to support the work I do.
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I am currently studying an MA in Cousnelling and Psychotherapy.
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Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling
Trauma trained - Carolyn Spring
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Testimonial
I have recently been working with Alison to address some aspects of my personal life that required attention, and can highly recommend anyone who is looking to use the help that a counsellor can offer to get in contact with Alison.
I have never before worked with a counsellor, so did not really know what to expect – but my mind was set at ease from the very first contact with Alison about what we could achieve, and how we would manage the process. Alison provides a safe space to understand thoughts and feelings and where things might be going wrong, and finds ways to not only address and understand any problems but also provides the tools to enable you to improve your emotional and mental wellbeing far beyond what happens within a session.
Over the course of a number of weeks we worked continuously at a pace that suited me, resulting in a visible improvement as we progressed – I literally cannot recommend Alison enough to anybody who feels that they need some help with some area of their personal improvement, it really is the best thing I have done with my own personal mental health and the results are better than I had expected.
So if you are unsure as to where, or how to get the help that you might require, I would not hesitate in recommending Alison – she has done wonders for me and I am sure she can do the same for you.
Dom. H
Contact me
If you would like to know more about what I can offer and how counselling can help, get in touch.
Bury St Edmunds