Rebecca Ashton

I have always had an interest in mental health and psychology and I began studying counselling and psychotherapy in 2005 and after a break, continued my studies, taking the Higher National Diploma in Counselling in at the Herefordshire College of Technology, followed by the Foundation Degree in Counselling at the University of Worcester. The degree included modules such as Ethics and Law, Human Growth and Development, Counselling Children and Young People, Comparative Theoretical Approaches, Social, Political and Cultural Contexts in Counselling, Loss and Grief, Personal Development, Professional Development, Research and Work Based Learning.

I work eclectively; I am in part influenced by constructive alternativism and I use the person-centred model as a foundation and may dip into theories/ideas from other areas, such as psychodynamic work, or cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for example. It all depends on my individual client and what could be the most effective for their specific needs.

As part of my continued professional development (CPD) I have also completed the following top-up modules via my governing body:

Psychopharmacology and Counselling and Psychotherapy
Confidentiality; Managing Client Confidences
Bringing Professional Obligations to a Close
The Therapist's Personal Safety and Care in the Workplace
Preparing for Supervision and Getting the Most Out of It

I have attended the following conferences/webinars;

The Psychologists Protection Society Trust CPD Event; "Working with Dilemmas in Dual Relationships" - Sept 2013
OCTIA/BACP Webinar "Working Therapeutically and Safely Online" - April 2014
BACP Ethical Framework Webinar - April 2014

And I have also completed the following other courses;

Domestic Abuse Awareness training with Positive Change Professionals
Attended the Psychologists Protection Society Trust CPD event "Working with Dilemmas in Dual Relationships" - Sept 2013

I have experience in the Awareness in Bereavement course which is offered by Cruse Bereavement Care. I currently work as an online counsellor for the TASHA Foundation.

My own counselling service was entered for a BACP award regarding improving access to therapy in Autumn 2012. While the service did not win the award, it scored well. A representative of the BACP said "As you had only just started out, this was highly impressive. Your entry was competitive against some other well established organisations".

I have had experience both as a counsellor/psychotherapist and as a client and I feel that that is an incredibly useful aspect of my service.

I am a huge believer in positive psychology and I feel that counselling/psychotherapy is not just for those in distress, but can be used in order to get to know oneself, or as part of personal development and I welcome those who wish to work in this way.

As a Member of BACP (The British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy) I am bound by its Ethical Framework for good practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy, the Ethical Guidelines for Researching Counselling and Psychotherapy (where practitioners undertake research) and subject to the Professional Conduct Procedure for the time being in force.

I have a clear and up to date CRB check and I am also a member of the Wye Valley NHS Trust, the 2gether NHS Foundation Trust and the Herefordshire Clinical Commissioning Group.

you can make whatever you like with it!