Stephen Robling

I am a BACP Accredited Counsellor, and EMDR Europe Accredited Practitioner, with 25 years' experience of providing counselling in the voluntary sector and in private practice.  

My original training was in Gestalt, but I also use tools and techniques from other disciplines, such as CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), life coaching and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing). I am also a qualified counselling supervisor.

Please visit my website for more information about Gestalt, EMDR, and my practice, including testimonials from former clients.

My York practice is located near to the Knavesmire and is about a 10 to 15 minutes walk from the train station. There is free on- street parking nearby. The client room is situated on the first floor (no lift) but I can make alternative arrangements with notice for if you have mobility issues.

I also practice in Malton, near to the train and bus stations. Again the client room is on the first floor but there is a lift.

I am happy to have a telephone conversation initially to answer any questions about counselling, and how I work, to help you decide if counselling with me is right for you.

The initial appointment is an opportunity to explore the issues that have brought you to therapy, to clarify what you hope to achieve through counselling or EMDR [Goals], and to understand how I work, and how I might help you.

At this appointment I will:

• explain my understanding of confidentiality, and 
• how I comply with GDPR (data protection legislation)
• ask you for some background information, and 
• answer any questions that you might have.   

The appointment will last about an hour, and there is no commitment on your part to meet after that.  

If you decide that you would like to work with me, I normally suggest an initial six-sessions, which for some clients is all that they require.  At the end of six session, you can decide if that's enough in order to help you reach your goals, or whether more sessions would be helpful.  

The fee for the initial appointment is £35.00.

Counselling sessions are £50 and EMDR sessions (which can be up to 90-minutes) are £70.  

I offer 25 years' experience of working as a counsellor, EMDR practitioner and counselling supervisor in both an organisational setting (in the voluntary sector) and in private practice.  

I will try to support you in your development as a counsellor to the best of my abilities, drawing on my skills, knowledge, and experience, including my original counselling training (Gestalt), my counselling supervision training, my EMDR training and practice, and managing a counselling service.

I am interested in you as a whole person and not just as a practitioner, however, this is not personal therapy.

As someone holding clinical responsibility for a counselling service, I have a strong background in safeguarding vulnerable clients, and providing support to counsellors at different stages of their development, including trainees on a placement. 

Supervision appointment are offered monthly, but you may have additional appointments depending on need;

Session times may vary but will be an hour at a minimum.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you receive adequate supervision for the number of clients you are seeing at any given time.

I will give you two-months’ notice of any change in fees

Missed sessions (cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice or not attended) are charged at 50% of the normal fee.

My PG Certificate in Counselling Supervision is from York St John University (2015). 

I provide a confidential service, however, I do discuss issues arising from my supervisor role in my own clinical supervision, but I will not say or do anything to comprise your identify (unless this is a requirement of your training provider) or that of your client.

I am happy for supervisees to contact me between planned appointments e.g. if there is a concern about the welfare of a client, though if there is a need for a more in-depth discussion, I would suggest we arrange for an additional supervision meeting. 

If you are seeing clients in an organisational setting, I ask that you share with me the organisation’s safeguarding policy at the start of our working relationship.   

I am aware of the power imbalance inherent in any supervisory relationship. Whilst I takes steps to avoid exploitation e.g. by reflecting on my practice and making good use of my supervision, I may have ‘blind spots’ and welcome feedback. 

 Whilst I trust that you would feel uncomfortable about speaking to me directly about any concerns about my practice in the first instance, I would make you aware that you can also contact my professional body, the BACP.  

My York practice is situated on the first floor and there is no lift.  I can make alternative arrangements for people with mobility issues with notice.  There is lift access at my Malton practice.  

I will share a copy of my standard Supervision Agreement in advance of our first meeting.  At this first session, I will explain how I work and answer any questions you may have.  

I work with students from several different local training providers and am happy to comply with requests for logs and reports. I do not not make any additional charge for these requirements. .