Cornwall Counselling Institute

Deborah is a Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society. She has been practicing for over 30 years in the field of mental health. Her 10-year training was based in general psychiatry, where she worked across a variety of specialist units in hospitals. She specialised in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and worked predominantly with mood and anxiety disorders. She then moved into educational settings and spent 5 years supporting young people with acquired brain injury, learning difficulties and physical disabilities. Deborah has spent the last 10 years working for The Cornwall College Group, providing student counselling services, teaching on counselling and psychology courses and developing and expanding the professional counselling training programmes available at the Cornwall Counselling Institute.

Qualifications: BA (Hons) Psychology, MSc Health Psychology, MSc Counselling Psychology, Post MSc Diploma Counselling Psychology, CPsychol, AFBPsS, PGCE, CMI Level 5 Dip in Management and Leadership

Anne has worked in education for over 20 years including training adults to be playworkers. In 2011 she set up an organisation that delivered therapeutic activities in schools and the community to support people recovering from the trauma of the New Zealand earthquakes.  On returning to England in 2015 she completed her Nurture, Trauma Informed Schools training and gained Child Protection and Safeguarding qualifications to enable her to work with vulnerable children and their families. Training to be counsellor and working with clients has been an incredible part of her journey and has taught her the importance of lifelong learning.

Qualifications
BA Hons in Communication, PGCE in English and Drama, Diploma in Trauma and Mental Health Informed Schools,  Level 5 Diploma in Counselling and Therapy.

Ruth has worked as part of the Cornwall College Group since 2009 across a variety of departments.  She joined the Counselling Team in 2021 and supports them with a range of administrative duties and course enquiries.

Qualifications: Level 2 ECDL, FdA Health and Community Studies, BA (Hons) Combined Social Science

Judy has had a varied professional background from organising pharmaceutical events, running her own vegan raw chocolate business and also has training in food intolerance testing. This has set her up well to provide the administrative support for the busy counselling team.

Qualifications: BA (First Class) Theatre, Media and Drama, Allergy Intolerance Therapy, Dip AIT, Advanced EFT and MR Practitioner, Diploma in Naturopathic Nutrition

Lucy has worked in education for nearly 20 years in a number of different roles. After volunteering with the Samaritans for a number of years, she decided training to become a counsellor was her next step. She has worked in a variety of counselling agencies and also has her own private counselling practice where she works with a variety of client issues. She loves the idea of facilitating growth and is a passionate believer in letting people find their own unique pathways. She embraces this approach in both her client work and teaching.

Qualifications:  Level 2 Counselling Skills, Level 3 Education and Training, Level 5 Diploma in Person -Centred Counselling, BA (Hons) Social Sciences with Social Policy

Celia originally trained and worked as a Registered Veterinary Nurse and spent many years in clinical practice before moving into teaching and training, where she spent 23 years teaching Veterinary Nursing at Duchy College and trained Clinical Coaches. Celia also worked as an examiner for City & Guilds and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. She then trained as a counsellor and supervisor and now runs her own private practice and provides supervision for counselling students and provides group supervision for the Penhaligon Counselling Agency. Celia also offers pet bereavement counselling services and also works as a content editor for Improve International, a veterinary CPD company.

Qualifications:  Level 4 Advanced Certificate in Counselling & Psychotherapy, Level 5 Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling and Therapy, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Registered Veterinary Nurse, CertEd, BA (Hons) Counselling Studies

Jenna has worked in the field of psychology and counselling for the past 12 years. She began her psychology career as part of the Psychology Services team at HMP Dartmoor Prison where she interviewed prisoners for offender behavioural programmes. She then moved on to work for Cornwall Council’s Clinical Psychology & Therapy service in a variety of support roles working with young people, before training to become a qualified counsellor. She has since specialised in working with trauma and abuse in a variety of services across Cornwall. Jenna currently works within the NHS Talking Therapies specialising in working with anxiety and depression. Jenna has a passion for animals and the outdoors and has worked extensively with horses. She is interested in combining her trauma focused therapy with the use of animals and nature.

Qualifications: BSc (Hons) Psychology, HND Applied Psychology, Level 5 Dip Person-Centred Counselling and Therapy, Dip Animal Assisted Therapy, Nat Cert Management of Horses, Level 3 Education and Training, Level 2 Counselling Skills, NONCN Level 2 Mentoring for Young People.

Caroline has extensive experience working in the field of mental health. She worked as an Independent Mental Health Advocate on psychiatric wards at Longreach and Bodmin hospitals, before training as a professional counsellor. She has worked for Waves Domestic Abuse charity and also worked at a women’s refuge supporting families to move on with their lives. This inspired Caroline to study a post qualifying course in counselling children and young people. As a result, she took a position with the Cornwall NHS Foundation Trust at Sowenna, a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit supporting young people with mental health issues and she also worked in secondary schools providing counselling support through Kooth.

Caroline’s experience also extends to working as a counsellor in a drug and alcohol residential rehabilitation centre before joining the Cornwall Counselling Institute and developing her own private practice.

Qualifications: AIM Awards Level 2, Certificate in Counselling Skills, AIM Awards Level 3 Certificate in Counselling, AIM Awards Level 4 Diploma in Counselling Practice.

Elizabeth began her career in Education Administration and Qualifications before training as a Clinical Hypnotherapist and NLP practitioner supporting clients with exam anxiety and professionals seeking to develop their work performance. Whilst living in Canada, she also trained as a Western Medical Herbalist/Phyto therapist, where she developed an interest in sleep and mental health. Keen to advance this specialism, she undertook a L5 Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling and Psychotherapy. She now runs a busy private practice in Coaching, Counselling and Medical Herbalism through which she helps clients with chronic and complex conditions, spiritual development and obtaining their personal and professional goals in a gentle, trauma informed manner. She enjoys working with a diverse client base, welcoming clients with lived experience of Neurodiversity and those in the queer community.

Qualifications:  BA (Hons) English & American Literature, Clinical Hypnotherapy Diploma with Neuro-linguistic Programming and Cognitive Behavioural Therapies (RC. Hyp., Dip. Hyp.) L5 Diploma in Person Centred Counselling & Psychotherapy, Diploma of Phytotherapy (Dip. Phyt.)

Victoria is a qualified Person-Centred therapist and Supervisor with a background in Health & Social Care and the NHS helping professions. She has run a busy private practice while continuing to develop her professional skills by training in Non-Violent Communication (NVC), Couples Counselling, Therapeutic Counselling Supervision and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). Victoria also has experience working with organisations and agencies supporting military families, working with domestic violence and sexual abuse, loss, transgender issues, PDSD in adults and children and Gender, Sexuality & Relationship Diversity (GSRD). Her particular interests are working therapeutically with relationships, communication and identity.

Qualifications:  Level 6 Certificate in Therapeutic Counselling Supervision, Level 5 Diploma in Person-centred Counselling & Therapy, Level 2 Introduction to Counselling Skills, PTLLS, A1 Assessors Award.

Ellie has been a lecturer for The Cornwall College Group since 2018 in a range of roles including Programme Manager within the Health and Social Care apprenticeships team, Health and Social Care L3 Diploma and most recently HEPM on the BSc (Hons) Health, Welfare and Social Sciences programme. Ellie has specialised in Psychology based subject areas following completion of her degree in Health, Community and Social Sciences, and subsequently gaining a PGCE with the college. She has just completed her MSc in Psychology and has a keen interest in psychopathology, abnormal psychology, mental health and criminology.

Qualifications:  MSc Psychology, PGCE (Inc. DET), BSc (Hons) Health, Community and Social Sciences, Access to Higher Education Diploma in Health and Social Care (specialising in Nursing).

Simon’s areas of interest cover Men’s Mental Health, Sexual and Gender Identity, Suicide, and Self Harm. Simon works in private practice as well as volunteering for a charity supporting LGBTQ+ individuals of all ages. He is a Director of Pegasus Men’s Wellbeing Centre.

Qualifications: Level 2 Counselling Skills, Level 2 Suicide and Self Harm, ASIST, Level 5 Diploma Person -Centred Counselling and Therapy, BA (Hons) Music

Audrey worked for social services practicing exclusively in adult services for 25 years before becoming a trained counsellor. Specialising in supporting clients with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and addiction issues.

Qualifications: Level 4 Co-ordination of Learning and Development, Level 5 Diploma Person- Centred Counselling, Cert Ed, Diploma Neuro-Linguistic Programming, HND Health and Social Care.

Thomas is a counsellor who lives and works in Falmouth. He is interested in modern relational techniques, the intersection of research and practice, and works with people with a wide range of mental health concerns.

Qualifications: Level 2 Counselling Skills, Level 5 Diploma in Person -Centred Counselling, PTLLS, BA (Hons) Broadcasting, MA Professional Writing, MBACP

Jessica is a professional counsellor with a background of working in health and social care settings. Her specialties include working with autism and learning disabilities and difficulties, physical health conditions and illness. Her experience spans both the private care sector and providing palliative care for the NHS. Jessica also holds a private practice in counselling.

Qualifications: Level 2 Counselling Skills, NCFE – Mental Health First Aider, ASIST, Level 4 Certificate in Advanced Counselling, Level 5 Diploma in Person- Centred Counselling and Therapy

Chris works in private practice with adults (his special interest is working with new fathers) and bases his counselling practice on a Person-Centered approach. He specialises in working with groups, particularly within the men’s work environment. He has accumulated 300+hrs of peer supported and facilitated led group work with archetype and shadow work at its roots. Chris has been self-employed for many years within the digital marketing and website industry and has been passionately involved in deepening his self-awareness and communication abilities prior to training as a Person-Centered counsellor.

Qualifications:  BA Steiner (Waldorf) Education, BFT Shadow Work Facilitation, Level 2 Counselling Skills, Level 5 Diploma Person-Centred Counselling and Therapy

Ben found his vocation as a therapist having previously run a theatre company as actor, writer & director, taught English, and managed a circus shop. He now runs a busy private counselling practice for all adult and young person client groups, and still writes the occasional play. He is particularly interested in supporting grief and loss, and in creative and holistic personal development.

Qualifications: Level 5 Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling and Therapy, Supervision Certificate (Cruse), BA (Hons) English, PGCE, MBACP (accredited)

Emma has worked in pastoral support within education and community outreach for over ten years. She works with Pegasus Men’s Wellbeing agency and is passionate about supporting those engaging in education through supporting their wellbeing with programmes such as the mental health mentor scheme.

Qualifications: L2 Counselling Skills, L3 Therapeutic Counselling, L4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, Cert Ed, L6 Careers Advice and Guidance, FdSc Marine Science

Rene is a Person-Centred Counsellor with over twenty years of experience in the voluntary, health, and charity sectors, working with organisations such as Macmillan, Age UK, and Women’s Aid. She has extensive experience working with trauma and PTSD, including supporting veterans and their families, and those affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence. She has also worked with families navigating complex caring roles, provided advocacy and therapeutic services for older adults, and supported individuals dealing with bereavement, terminal illness, and chronic health issues. Her experience spans diverse populations, including neurodiversity, trauma histories and the LGBTQ+ community. Rene has also worked with the NHS in the field of preventative healthcare education. In her private practice, she integrates somatic and creative approaches, nature-based sessions and therapeutic writing. She is currently training in couples therapy and psychotherapeutic supervision, and is working towards a pluralistic approach, tailoring therapeutic interventions to meet the unique needs of each client.

Qualifications: BA (Hons) Performance and Writing, Level 5 Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling and Therapy, Level 3 Award in Education and Training- PTLLS

Sam has worked in education for over 20 years, mainly at primary school level. Whilst leading a Health and Well-being team at work, she developed a passion for supporting colleagues in the work place and has since studied to become a counsellor with the view to starting her own private practice. To compliment her work as a Person-Centred therapist, Sam has also studied mindfulness alongside her interest in the creative arts and nature as a way to accompany clients on their journey of self-discovery.

Qualifications: BA (Hons) Archaeology and History, PGCE, Level 2 Counselling Skills, Level 5 Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling and Therapy (pending)

Georgie is a counsellor in training on the Diploma in Person-Centered Counselling and Therapy at the CCI and is taking her first steps into client work with a focus on working with students and young people. She has a background in training and pastoral care in the commercial world and developed a passion for supporting others in the workplace, initiating wellbeing groups and drop-in sessions for colleagues. With a desire to facilitate a safe space for self-exploration and personal growth, a move into counselling beckoned.

Georgie works from a Humanistic foundation and is interested in the use of somatic observations and mindful practices to encourage clients to connect and listen to their body, which she weaves into her practice. Her interests lie in the role the natural world plays in our wellbeing and supporting clients towards finding balance and a way back to their authentic selves.

Qualifications
Level 5 Diploma in Person-Centered Counselling and Therapy (pending) Level 4 Certificate in Higher Education, Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills, Level 2 Understanding Mental Health First Aid and Mental Health Advocacy in the Workplace

Mike works in private practice as a counsellor and supervisor. He previously worked for many years as a registered nurse. He has experience in working with a broad spectrum of clients with a wide range of emotional issues. He also works as an affiliate Employee Assisted Programme counsellor providing online therapy to police officers, council workers and educational institution staff. He is particularly interested in supporting clients with work stress, bereavement, complex trauma, addiction and medical issues.

Qualifications: Level 2 Counselling Skills, Level 5 Diploma Person-Centred Counselling and Therapy, Foundation Certificate Bereavement Counselling, Diploma Nursing, BA (Hons) Counselling Studies, MBACP

Susan is an experienced counsellor, integrative therapist and clinical supervisor with a private practice of 13 years. She has taught counselling and supervision for 12 years up to degree level. She has also worked as an external examiner for two universities over a period of 7 years. Her theoretical approaches are grounded in Person-Centred theory and she is also trained in Creative Process, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Positive Psychology, Coaching and Mindfulness.

Qualifications:
Levels 2 & 3 Concepts of Counselling and TA, BA (Hons) Counselling, PCGC, PgCert Counselling, PgCert Applied Positive Psychology, BPS Cert Clinical Supervision, AFHEA

Bess is a professional counsellor and health and wellbeing coach working with patients and GPs in a new wellbeing and mental health initiative. She also holds a private practice in counselling and yoga. Prior to this, Bess worked in Special Education for 15 years, supporting young people and their families living with additional needs.

Bess began on a journey of self-discovery when she trained and qualified as a yoga teacher in 2016. She has since trained in therapeutic approaches to support people to meet the needs of their bodies; using somatic connections to shift unhelpful patterns, trauma in order to create positive change.

Qualifications: Level 2 Counselling Skills, Level 5 Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling, BA Educational Professional Practice.

Alice has had a varied career, having originally trained as a nurse and then moved into other roles over time, including working with bereaved children and their families and supporting parents of children with additional needs.  Alice is particularly interested in supporting clients experiencing loss and grief. Completing training as a counsellor and supervisor later in life, she runs her own private practice and also provides counselling supervision as well as clinical supervision to nurses in the NHS.

Qualifications: BA(Hons) Counselling Studies, Level 5 Diploma in Person-centred Counselling and Therapy, Cert.Ed., Cert. Management OU

Tristan works in private practice with adults and young people using an integrative counselling approach. He draws upon transpersonal and eco-psychology, health couching and has a firm foundation in Person-Centred theory. He also works for a counselling agency supporting young people on an individual basis and through groups, specialising in neurodiversity. His interests are in studying consciousness, phenomenology, and sensation.

Qualifications:  Level 2 Counselling Skills, Level 5 Diploma Person-Centred Counselling and Therapy, completing BA (Hons) Counselling Studies

Vicky runs her own practice as a wellbeing coach, integrating coaching conversations, creative exploration and nature-based activities with clients. With a background in teaching, Vicky was introduced to coaching by her headteacher and loved the approach that people could find the answers they needed within themselves. This aligned with her belief that no one was broken or needed fixing and she soon left classroom teaching to set up her own social enterprise to support people to uncover this for themselves. She loves integrating ecotherapy, person-centred approaches and spirituality into her coaching.

Qualifications: PGCE, Certified mBIT Coach, Level 2 Counselling Skills, Three Principles Facilitator, Reiki Level 3, Suicide First Aid.

Gary is a qualified counsellor and comes from a background in Further Education, starting out as a sports and outdoor activities lecturer and then moving into safeguarding and student welfare. He currently works as a Health and Wellbeing Practitioner in the NHS but also works in private practice with clients. Gary works from a Person-Centred foundation and is interested in the use of the natural environment and activity as part of the therapeutic process.

Qualifications:

Level 5 Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling and Therapy, BA Hons Physical Recreation, PGCE