Caroline Marshall

Counselling through Covid-19 (Coronavirus)

I have suspended all face to face appointments              

I offer sessions by telephone or Skype 

Face to Face will resume once it is safe to do so

You may not know what you want, are at a loss what to do or are looking for strategies to cope with the uncertainty of life due to the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic.  It can help to talk to someone to work through how this is impacting on you personally; I am here to offer my skills and experience to help you right now.  

Background:

I have worked in the voluntary sector for bereavement and loss organisations and with survivors of physical, emotional, sexual abuse and domestic violence.  I have also worked as a therapist for a Primary Care Service that received referrals from GP surgeries and the Community Mental Health Team for clients struggling with mental illness.

I see our time together as a collaborative and shared experience. We will work together to find out what is happening in your life and the how this is affecting your mental health and emotional well-being. We will develop an understanding of what your struggles are and how you would like things to be different. This will help you to make decisions about areas in your life that you can change, but also acknowledge those aspects that you cannot change.

Over the years I have gained experience to work competently with depression, anxiety, abuse, low self esteem, bereavement and loss, long term illness.  

I am also aware that certain clients might benefit from a different approach to my own and I would always endeavour to point clients in the appropriate direction for their needs .

Thank you for taking the time to read my profile; you can also find more information about how I work from my website: www.carolinecounselling.co.uk

Central Stafford location

I work from Oakridge Business Centre which is a historic building that I share with other working professionals. It has lots of character and is set in a quiet location at the end of a sweeping driveway behind secure gates offering parking for the duration of your visit. (FACE TO FACE WORK SUSPENDED TEMPORARILY)

Oakridge is situated off the north side of the A518 Weston Road approximately three quarters of a mile east from Stafford town centre. A regular bus service runs to Stafford Hospital from the town centre stops on the main Weston Road close to the location. Junction 14 of the M6 is approximately two miles away.

The first session together I would say is more about making you feel at ease and gathering information from you. It is my aim to understand what has brought you to therapy and what you would like to get out of it.

It may be you just need someone to listen without judgement, or you might be looking for some guidance on how to make some positive changes to improve your well-being but are unsure how. 

At this stage and the first time we meet, will be an opportunity for me to answer any questions or allay any fears you may have about the therapy.  It is crucial you feel comfortable enough with me to be able to share your personal story with me. 

I will also be asking you questions to understand what has brought you to me and whether my style can help you.   For example, are you on medication, does your GP know you are here, have you had therapy before, if so, when and why, some background information and general questions about your overall well-being and your support network, i.e. who is really there for you.  I will be interested to know what you want to get out of coming, have you short and long term goals. 

You are not obliged to book an appointment after our first contact as I would not want you to feel pressured.  

You will know if it felt right and will pick up the phone to re-book if this is something you feel would be beneficial to you.