Sophie Benton

I work online, face to face and on the telephone between 8-6pm weekdays.

I often suggest a 50 minute session every two weeks but also can offer 90 minutes every month.

I think it can helpful to have time in each session for you to talk about how you are feeling before discussing client work so that you feel free to concentrate on the material. 

I think good supervision is about the counsellor first and through this lens we can find the best outcomes for the clientwork.

I am an integrative supervisor, usually working in a person centred way. I value an open, supportive, trusting relationship so that you can feel truly understood and supported for the individual counsellor that you are.

I follow Proctor's Three-Function Model Model to structure how I support you - offering formative (development of learning and skills), Restorative (providing emotional support and checking wellbeing) and Normative (helping you stay up to date with ethics and quality standards).

I can use Hawkins and Shohet's Seven Eyed Model which enables a flexible approach to your needs and Integrative Developmental Model (IDM) to suit to your particular stage of development as a counsellor.

My first session with you would really be finding out who you are and what sort of counsellor you are and would like to be. 

It would also be about you getting to know me to see if it feels like a good fit for you.

This would normally take the form of a 30 minute free of charge phone call.

I am available to call and leave a message or text or email at any time and I will get back to you when I can to arrange online or face to face sessions.

I listen in a warm non-judgemental and safe environment so that you feel validated, supported and encouraged to express yourself honestly and openly. This process can be the start of reframing attitude and outlook to help you find the strength, motivation and courage to move on. 

I am a person centred practitioner but I also use cognitive behavioural theory and psychodynamic techniques if this suits what we are working on.

I usually work from my garden office which is comfortable, quiet and confidential so that you can feel able to find yourself and get the most from the counselling process. I will listen, reflect and help you explore ways through your difficulties. I also offer art materials if this helps with self expression if you wished to use them.

I also have a room in the centre of Richmond for ease of access and I do offer online counselling and on the telephone if this is preferred.

I offer an introductory session of 30 mins for £30 for you to see if my approach and the environment suit because I feel that a good relationship between counsellor and client is so important for counselling to be effective

My first session would be led by what you want to tell me about issues you would like support with. It would be about what is happening for you now but also might go in to some past and background information. I can give you a sense of how I work and you can let me know what sort of approach is helpful for you. We can talk about what you would like to get from sessions and find dates that would work fo us both.