Deborah Skilling

I currently have some availability for new clients depending on the time or day, please do contact me to enquire.

In seeking a counsellor to help you through challenging issues, you have already begun a move towards improving your life.  

Seeking a counsellor who can help you through personal challenges and issues is a healthy and positive thing to do. The secret is to find one that is right for you. Someone you can relate to, who will treat you in a safe and confidential way, who displays empathy, is non-judgemental and has relevant experience.

I have extensive counselling experience (testimonials available on request) and, just as importantly, I understand some of life’s challenges and appreciate what it is like to face them.  I am aware that it can feel easier to put things to the back of your mind, to ignore the signs that all is not well, to hope that whatever is causing distress will just go away.  Unfortunately, things often don't disappear, often they grow bigger and then we can end up feeling overwhelmed.

Research has shown that if we can find support to help offload and unpick what is bothering us, things can get easier.  If we start to manage our distressing, negative thoughts and feelings our behaviour begins to change, we can feel more energised, we learn to uncover our sense of fun again and to feel more connected to others and the world around us.

I work with Adults (of all ages), Children and Young people, LGBTQ+ and trainee counsellors. Some of the organisations I work for include Relate and The You Trust.

I recognise that making this first approach and contacting someone is often very difficult. This is not an unusual feeling. However, having made the initial contact, most people feel reassured and confident that they have taken a positive step. I would welcome an initial contact from you. By doing so you can gain a better idea of whether I am the right person for you.

I have a comfortable counselling room for seeing clients face to face.  

If your preference is online or phone counselling, I can assure you that I work from a confidential space with good phone and internet connections.

I abide by the BACP ethical guidelines and provide confidential support.  I am aware that we all have a unique life experience, and I will not judge you.

My counselling approach is humanistic/integrative.  I respect client autonomy, so together we will explore and discover the changes that will provide the improvements that you are seeking.

During the first session I offer you the opportunity to talk about what is stopping you from living the life you desire.   I will ask what changes you may be looking for.  

I will guide you through how I work and we will explore what you might gain from having counselling with me.

I will be happy to answer any questions you may have in regard to how I work as a counsellor.

It will be your opportunity to see if I am the most appropriate counsellor for you or if perhaps a different form of support may be more beneficial.  You will be under no obligation to proceed at any time.

I understand that you may work outside of normal office hours and I will try to accommodate your availability for supervision.

I have the capacity for new supervisees who would like one-to-one supervision, face-to-face or online.  I am also accepting new supervisees who would like to join a group supervision.  Price is adjusted for group supervision.

I am very interested in the journey that a counsellor takes, having reflected on my own journey I can see how my supervisors have played an important role in helping me to shape my practice and the varied directions it has taken. So if you want to develop new perspectives on both your client work and your personal development I may be able to help you.

Working from an integrative perspective, I supervise practitioners trained in a range of modalities - humanistic, person-centred, integrative, gestalt, TA and psychodynamic.

I use the Seven-Eyed model of supervision which encourages a holistic approach to exploring the work that counsellors do.

Research has shown that the most engaged, fulfilled and effective practitioners are the ones who are dedicated to constantly learning and developing their practice.

My supervision qualification is a Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Clinical Supervision Including Online and Telephone.

I am qualified to work online and in person, and I understand how the different mediums can impact the counselling relationship. I will cover online security, and how to work across different regions or countries with regard to client and counsellor safety.

My aim is to offer a safe stimulating environment where you will be encouraged to share your counselling practice, both the successes and the dilemmas. 

I hope to create a space where you are encouraged to reflect on your counselling practice without feeling judged or defensive.

I will encourage your self-reflective practice and offer you educational support to grow your skills and awareness, with the aim of increasing your confidence and effectiveness as a practitioner.

I have my own supervisory supervision in accordance with ethical guidelines.

In our first session, I will find out more about the way you work and how best you learn.  I have an understanding of neurodiversity and how this can influence the way information is processed.  

I will ask you to complete a basic questionnaire and send you my supervision contract.