Amanda Baker

I do have some availability currently. I offer sessions on some weekdays between 08.45 and 16.00. Please contact me for more information about the options.

I offer individual counselling and psychotherapy for adults and young people (16+) in private practice. My approach is collaborative, practical and flexible, helping you find early relief as well as longer-term sustainable change. In my 25+ years as a counsellor, I have enjoyed meeting clients of all ages (16 to 94) and stages, from all walks of life.

The work I now offer is built on my experience in varied contexts. My core psychodynamic training was followed by a Master’s at Oxford University (2006). Initially I specialised in counselling students and staff in universities, where clinical work and counselling education, research and scholarship intersect. From there I diversified, e.g. into counselling in a carers' centre, supervising a university counselling team, being manager of a counselling diploma course training counsellors, being a university lecturer in psychodynamic counselling, counselling visually impaired veterans and working in private practice. To extend my skills in working with the deep emotional aspects of traumatic attachments, in 2008-10 I undertook an intensive three-year training in Experiential Dynamic Therapy (iedta.net/iedta/about-iedta). I have also been an active researcher and writer, with publications in the counselling field including two book chapters (see www.amandabakercounselling.co.uk).

My immersion in a diverse world of counselling/psychotherapy has enabled me to learn from many different clients, colleagues, students, and mentors. It has deepened, broadened and enriched what I can now bring to helping each person who comes to me as a client.

I am fascinated by how the issues I saw as a university counsellor are echoed at all life stages: moving towards independence and autonomy, committing to choices, finding identity and stretching limits, or renegotiating relationships with family/others. Coming into counselling/therapy can be a time for re-opening developmental flux within oneself no matter what age and stage.

Following an initial consultation session, the counselling/therapy process normally involves regular sessions on a weekly (or sometimes other periodic) basis. We will plan a number of sessions, or we will agree to work on an open-ended basis which is reviewed as we go along. Each session is 50 minutes long. Face-to-face in-person sessions take place in my quiet consulting room in Oving just outside Chichester. 

I work in a broadly psychodynamic way, and sessions involve establishing and developing a particular sort of 'conversation' between us. Through attentive, empathic focused listening, we can identify, unpack and explore particular themes which are coming up and which are most important to you. There is no need for preparation or 'homework' with this approach, although many clients find that journalling can enhance the work. Clients find that this work enables them to notice and understand things which had been in their 'blind spot', and access choices differently. This can bring a lot of relief quite quickly, as well as activating deep and longer term processes of change.

For more information about how I work, please see my website www.amandabakercounselling.co.uk

I am a senior accredited counsellor/psychotherapist and supervisor with BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy); I am registered as a psychotherapeutic counsellor with UKCP (United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy); I am accredited as a psychotherapeutic counsellor and registered supervisor with UPCA (Universities Psychotherapy and Counselling Association). I am bound by the ethical codes of the UKCP, BACP and UPCA, and registered with the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office).

It's usually helpful to touch base via a brief introductory phone call, and then we can set up an initial consultation session. There is no need to prepare specifically for this initial session. It is simply a conversation between us, through which you have a chance to give me an idea of your concerns, and you have a chance to find out from me how I work and what I can offer you. This conversation becomes an opportunity to discover whether we are a good 'fit' as client and counsellor, and whether each of us thinks that we can work together helpfully to address your concerns.

The fee for this initial session is the same as my normal session fee. While regular sessions last for 50 minutes, I suggest allowing a bit of extra time for the first session - up to an hour and a quarter - so there is plenty of time to talk things through as well as time to discuss practicalities.

I work on weekdays between 8.45 am and 16.30 pm. Please contact me for current availability.

Please see my website for more information about my approach - www.amandabakercounselling.co.uk