Simon Oliver - MBACP
I'm a qualified counsellor with a L4 Diploma in Counselling Practice including work with individuals and couples. My initial training concentrated on the psychodynamic approach to therapy, but more recently, I have found that integrating compassion-focused therapy, mindfulness in a natural setting helps clients. I also have qualifications in online and telephone counselling, and walk and talk therapy. I am currently working towards a MSc in Advanced Counselling and Psychotherapy, and hope to complete this in 2024.
I came to counselling as a change in career direction after experiencing the benefits for myself. I was stressed, experiencing career burnout, depressed, and slowly shutting down emotionally. I appreciated the space in which to process and sort through the feelings I had been ignoring and pushing away.
I aim to provide you a safe and supportive space in which you can explore how you feel about your own experience. A space in which you can be heard. I'll be lead by you and we'll go at a pace that suits you to allow time to process what you bring to therapy. Being heard is the first step in helping you move towards coping, making changes, or exploring your situation.
Since changing career I have worked with various charities including Centre33 (Support and Young Carers services), CPSL Mind (Changing Lives Counsellor), and Lifeline (a mental health helpline). I also spent some time as a counsellor at HM Prison Bedford. When I relocated from Cambridgeshire to the Peak District, it was a natural step to set up my own private practice.
As a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), I undertake to complete continual professional development, and I abide by their professional code of ethics.
