Sally Morrison Counselling | sallymorrison.org

Welcome

Sometimes life can feel really hard, and we might want to find some space to reflect and explore our difficulties within the safety of a professional therapeutic relationship. By taking time to discover, accept and befriend ourselves I believe that it's possible to live with a little more ease and improve our relationships with others. I’m excited about the potential of the

therapeutic relationship to enable this process of growth. There are no easy fixes but I believe that each of us has the potential to adapt and grow given the right conditions, and that by being heard and valued, we might be able to be

curious about ourselves, and discover these resources within us.

Taking the decision to come to counselling can take immense courage. It can be really hard to ask for help, and allow someone else to see the painful feelings that we have hidden, sometimes even from ourselves.

I believe that the contexts in which we live can dramatically impact our wellbeing, be it in relationships with people, society, culture, education or the natural world and even the environment of our own bodies. Although our work is concerned with feelings, emotions, thoughts and processing I see this as happening within both our minds and bodies, and find it helpful to work with the whole person.

About you

You may be looking for some short-term work around a specific issue or want to work with a longer-term frame as a space to process deep-seated feelings and experiences.

Perhaps you are looking for someone professional to walk alongside you at this particular point in your life after trying to cope alone. Maybe your coping strategies do not work as well as they used to, or you are struggling with certain relationships, a new role or identity, or a loss of any kind. It might be that your environment has not enabled you to feel free to really be yourself, or to live in the way you’d wish to.

You may wish to have some support as you come to terms with a difficult decision or realisation. It might be that you feel burnt out and confused and would like to some space to reflect with another person on where you find yourself.

You might need some space to really consider what you want from life right now.

There is no ‘right’ way to be a client. My aim is to meet you in your uniqueness, welcoming whatever you wish to bring and holding the space for you safely.

I offer an initial session at reduced fee so that we can see if we can work together. It’s important that you feel you are in the right place to do this work and that what I offer is right for you.

About you - the client

About me

As an integrative counselling therapist I am free to work in the way that suits each client, whilst holding the space safely throughout. The theoretical models that I predominantly draw on are gestalt, psychodynamic and person-centred. I am also inspired by research about neuroscience and what it can tell us about attunement, human survival strategies, and how our bodies and minds work together in our individual and relational systems. We might move between thinking about the past and working in the here-and-now, bringing challenge, warmth, curiosity, while ensuring that we are moving along at the right pace for you. I will be with you every step of the way.

After working as a helpline volunteer at Womankind Bristol for several years I began training in counselling. I worked with adult survivors of sexual violence at Kinergy for several years. Through this work I have developed an interest in the relationship between the body and the mind, and the neuroscience behind human responses to trauma of all kinds. I find this work both fascinating and a great privilege.

Training / qualifications

MBACP (registered member of BACP)

Post-Qualifying Diploma Counselling Young People (8-18) - Iron Mill College

Essential elements of counselling young people - UWE

Diploma in Professional Studies (Counselling) - UWE

Certificate in Counselling Skills - UWE

MA Animation - RCA

BA Hons in Combined Studies (English Lit and Film) - University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Art Foundation course - Mid-Cheshire College of Art

For several years I worked in film and animation and have always been drawn to creativity in its' many forms. I feel strongly that creativity and play are important facets of being alive and I work with creativity in the therapeutic relationship.

I am committed to ongoing learning and engage in reading, training and CPD to support my counselling practice and personal self-development. I am supervised in my work by a qualified professional supervisor who is accredited by the BACP.

I am a registered member of the BACP and work to the BACP Ethical Framework for the counselling professions.

You can find this at www.bacp.co.uk

About the work

Confidentiality

Client confidentiality and data privacy are important features of our work. I am registered with the ICO (ZA573404) and as a data processor ensure that I keep your data safely in accordance with GDPR https://ico.org.uk/

I provide a privacy agreement and working agreement outlining these aspects of the service I offer.

You can read my privacy policy here.

I work integratively with individuals in Bristol UK, in 1:1 face-to-face counselling.

I offer an empathic, sensitive and genuine relationship in which to explore who you are, at your own pace. The theoretical models of gestalt, psychodynamic and person-centred form the basis of how I work but I will draw on elements of theory and creativity that are right for each unique person. The relationship needs to feel like a place you can be challenged, get curious, allow yourself to do the work that you are being drawn towards.

I offer an initial session at a reduced fee to allow time to get to know each other before we can both decide if we feel able to work together. You can ask me any questions you may have about counselling and I can find out more about what brings you to seek therapy now.

There is no need to make a decision straightaway and I encourage you to take your time to decide how you'd like to proceed.

It’s useful to be able to make time to come to counselling on a weekly basis as this rhythm can support the work. We will make time to review how we are progressing at regular intervals and set an ending when we feel it’s right for you.

As part of training I have had counselling myself and know how challenging it can be to cross the threshold, put trust in someone else and to allow all of yourself to show up. It can take courage to be curious.

Sessions can sometimes be hard work, emotional and tiring. Sometimes they can be peppered with humour, and sometimes can be quiet and still. After sessions it can be helpful to find time to look after yourself.

Practicalities

Making initial contact:

If you are interested in finding out about my availability please get in touch by short email or text, indicating when might be suitable for me to call you back for a brief conversation on the phone before booking in an initial session. Either way I will get back to you as soon as I can. My contact info is here.

Before our initial session I will email you my privacy and confidentiality agreement, and a copy of our working agreement for you to read and consider before we meet. Having some space to think and reflect after this initial session might give you room to make a decision freely about if and when you'd like to begin and what you feel you'd need.

Costs:

Counselling sessions are 60 mins long.

I charge £30 for the initial session and £60 per regular counselling session.

Payments can be made by weekly BACS payments, or by other means.

Locations:

I work in Bristol UK. I see clients at The Practice Rooms on St Pauls Road, Bristol BS8 1LR. It is accessible by bus and train. Car parking is restricted on the nearby roads but there are car parks nearby. Please note there is no waiting room.

Practicalities

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