Hiya
I'm Sinead
I'm a person centred counsellor and therapist, experienced in the following issues: Depression, Anxiety, Psychosis, Anger Management, Stress, Trauma, Self Development, Self Esteem, Confidence building, Grief, Relationship issues/breakdowns, Abusive/Narcissistic relationships, Low mood, Black Caribbean cultural issues and Working creatively with children and young people.
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I'm a registered member of the BACP and you can also find me on Counselling Directory and Psychology Today.
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My main area of interest/passion is working in the field of self-love, self esteem and confidence building.
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As a mother of neurological children, I'm also passionate about finding the right support for children who may be on the spectrum.
MY STORY
I got into counselling many years ago. Back in 2009 I studied health and social care and experienced a module on counselling skills and loved the experience.
I'm a very spiritual person, so looking back now I believe counselling was the profession that just called to me. So in 2012 I started my university journey and began studying a degree in counselling and psychotherapy.
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The more I studied and the more I worked, the more I fell in love with the profession, especially getting to witness a clients journey through the therapy process and witnessing the personal transformation resulting from their hard work.
I've previously faced my own battles with mental health, loss and trauma, on top of the generational trauma that is associated with being a Caribbean person in England.
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Throughout my journey to becoming a qualified therapist, I went through a personal transformation and healed from my own trauma's. A huge part of that healing journey was personal therapy for myself.
My own experience of receiving counselling has also contributed to my passion for counselling, as I've experienced what it's like to receive counselling and how transformative it can be.
After doing the work on myself, I eventually grew into a healthier version of me, with a healthier interpersonal skillset, greater confidence and armed with greater self esteem.
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Along the way I had to unlearn the unhealthy stuff and learn the healthy stuff. Ultimately​y, I've travelled the journey from self loathing to healthy self loving, and from deprivation to a fulfilling life.
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I'm passionate about helping others achieve such goals and more as well as overcome any mental distress.
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My life experience helps me connect with many that are suffering, or simply feeling stuck in life and allows me to walk alongside them whilst they make the healing journey towards a healthier version of themselves.
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Counselling is not my career, it's my passion and life purpose. The spiritual part of me, the empath in me says I'm here to make a difference. If you find yourself drawn to me, I'd love for you to get in touch, because I believe you are drawn to me for a reason.
XoXo
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How I work
As a person centred / integrative counsellor, I work together with clients to explore troubling issues and emotional distress in a safe and secure environment. I am able to work with many presenting issues at a pace led by the client. I have a range of experience from working with survivors of domestic violence, parents that have had their children removed from their care, to grief counselling with Bradford Bereavement and working with children with Place2be, plus more!
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My specialty area of counselling work, and the field I'm most passionate about is self esteem building, confidence building and everything self love, especially when working with domestic abuse clients.
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I am a strong advocate for women's right's due to my personal and professional experience, especially regarding domestic violence. I am also experienced with working with primary school children; using art and play therapy as a tool within the session, helping children to process their issues and realities. Due to my professional experience and the fact I am a mother of two, I am also a strong believer in children's rights and love to empower children to find and use their voice. Their voice matters, and they have a right to be heard. I also have lived experience of supporting children with Autism and can relate to the parental challenges of raising a child with additional needs.
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Person Centred therapy is at the core of all my counselling sessions, meaning that I prioritise building a safe and trusting relationship, however due to my experience in a wide range of therapy roles, and further education, I am able to work integratively with other modalities such as using CBT skills, teaching emotional regulation and using solution focused approaches and much more.
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Leeds is where you'll find me
I'm Yorkshire born and bread and I'm still here! The multi cultural city, as well as life experience and professional experience has allowed me to connect and build relationships with people from many different cultures and backgrounds. I love to learn from other cultures as well as embrace my mixed ethnicity and culture as a Caribbean woman; born and raised in England. My counselling office is based in Headingley, LS6.
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Relevant Qualifications
Level 2 Counselling skills
Level 3 Diploma in Social Science
BSC: Counselling & Psychotherapy: Professional, Practice (undergraduate degree)
Bradford Bereavement: Certificate in Grief Counselling
Place2be: Art Therapy training with children and young people
Place2be: Play Therapy training with children and young people
Counselling Tutor: Online and Telephone Counselling
Relevant Additional Training
Level 2: Safeguarding vulnerable people
Level 2: Working with challenging people
Level 2: Mental Health first aid
Level 2: Health and wellbeing
Level 2: Business administration
GDPR and data protection training
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Current Studies
Final year of Studying a MSC in Psychology, Mental Health & Wellbeing (masters degree)
About Person Centred Counselling
Person centred therapy offers a non directive approach to counselling, focusing on building a supportive and empathic relationship between the client and therapist, in order to facilitate transformation. The Person Centred Approach believes that all human beings have the potential to self actualise and become more fully functioning when equipped with the right conditions.
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As a person centred counsellor, together we will explore your emotional distress in a safe, confidential and supportive relationship, which gently pushes you towards personal growth and healing. Although person centred counselling likes to stay away from diagnostics and labels and be led by the client, I am able to work with many presenting issues and integrate other modalities into the counselling sessions, as and when required e.g. CBT exercises, trauma focused work, positive psychology, mindfulness and more.
Fee's/Services
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Face to Face Counselling
Face to face counselling sessions delivered out of my counselling office in Leeds. Sessions last around 50 mins and there is no minimum number of sessions that need to be booked.
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Online Counselling
Online counselling accessible from the comfort of your own home. Counselling is delivered in the same way as face to face with the exception that it will be delivered online rather than in person. You will be asked to make sure you have a private comfortable space, free from distractions and interruptions for the duration of the session
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Free Phone Consultation
I offer free 20 minute consultations to get friendly with one another and see if I'm a good fit for you. This helps me understand if I can help you and allows you to get more of an understanding of who I am. Use the contact me section to get in touch and book a telephone consultation or use the link below to go directly to the booking page.
Discounted Fee's
Discounted fee's are available for people on low incomes and receiving benefits such as universal credit and can provide proof. Discounts are also available to students and trainee counsellors needing to obtain personal therapy as a requirement for their course. Get in touch to discuss discounted fee's.
Concession/student rate £35. Please request this rate on your booking request if you would like the concession rate. I can only offer a limited number of these sessions.
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Contact
To enquire about counselling or book a session with me, please visit the contact page or send me an email.
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My counselling office is based in Headingley, Leeds, LS6.