Amanda Cust Counselling & Psychotherapy
About Counselling and Psychotherapy
Counselling is non-judgemental and confidential. It's a space to talk about whatever you're feeling - anxious, depressed, regretful, afraid, all your feelings can be brought to counselling. My job is to work with you in a collaborative way to help you find your way forward with whatever is troubling you. I use everyday language - no jargon!
While maintaining professional boundaries I offer an approachable style of counselling, focusing on your experiences, feelings, memories, hopes and fears - it is all about you, there's no right or wrong way of 'doing' counselling.
Counselling is an active process which needs your commitment. If after your first session you decide to go ahead, it's important to make your regular weekly sessions a priority. If your schedule means that regular sessions aren't possible, I will do my best to work flexibly with you.
Some things counselling isn't........
advice
- I will put forward suggestions and ideas which might be useful for you, but often solutions will come from within you - you know yourself and your story far better than anyone else can. The work we'll do together includes uncovering these resources, increasing your insight and preparing for and making the changes which will improve your life.
a quick fix
- while you may well gain valuable insights early in the course of your counselling, it takes time to really explore and address the problems or questions which are bothering you. We can focus on a particular issue, and there is no obligation for you to continue with counselling if you don't want to, but please keep in mind the importance of giving yourself the time you need. Your active participation in sessions and in the time between (for example, noticing your thoughts, reactions, ways of behaving, and experimenting with doing these things differently) are necessary for counselling to be successful.
My approach
is based on respect for you as a human being, trying to live your life as best you can.
I believe that in counselling it's necessary to consider the whole person so will give attention to your experience in the fields of emotion, thought, body and spirit.
As therapy progresses, it's likely that you'll begin to notice your thoughts and actions with the benefit of a deeper insight, gained from reflection on how your past experiences have affected you - your early life, schooling, skills, relationships, talents and career choices all contribute to this.
You can attend for as many sessions as you wish
- the work can be short-term focusing on something specific, or longer as you reflect on your life in a broader way. You will probably get a sense of when it's time to finish counselling, and it's a good idea to have a planned ending, perhaps with longer gaps between the last few sessions, and to look back over what you have learnt, how things have changed and what your sources of support are now.
About me
I trained as a psychotherapist due to my very positive experience of the support of counselling in difficult times. Before this I worked as a Registered Nurse in hospice and home care settings, and have worked for Age UK and local counselling services.
I'm a qualified and experienced psychotherapist, having completed a four year Masters-level integrative humanistic training with the Bridge Pastoral Foundation, including a research dissertation on the growth which can arise from loss. Before this training I completed a Certificate Course in Psychodynamic Theory and Counselling Skills at Reading University.
I have worked with adult clients since 2012, in voluntary counselling services and in private practice, and with young people (11-18) in school and GP surgery settings with ARC Counselling Service in Wokingham.
I am a Registered Member of the BACP, whose Ethical Framework I adhere to, am in regular supervision with a UKCP accredited supervisor, and am fully insured.
Location and Session times
I offer individual counselling to adults and young people. Sessions last for approximately 50 minutes and are usually on a regular weekly basis. Short or long term work available.
EMMER GREEN, RG4
£50 per session
The counselling room is a level access garden room. Unrestricted parking is available nearby.
Monday daytime
Tuesday morning
Wednesday daytime
Some reduced fee places are available if you are on a low income - please enquire.
Starting counselling
To have a chat about how counselling might help you or to arrange a first appointment please call or text me on 07847623467 or email amandacusttherapy@outlook.com
In your first session you can tell me about what has brought you to counselling and what you are hoping for from it, about your current situation including any sources of support and of stress. We can talk about how counselling works, the practicalities and agree the focus or goals if that would be helpful. I'm interested in your entire life, past and present, your childhood, family, work, your hopes and dreams, hobbies, pets - there's nothing which isn't worth our attention.
There are many different styles of counselling and it's important that you feel comfortable with your counsellor, so this session is also an opportunity for you to get an idea as to whether I would be the right person for you to work with. There's no obligation to go ahead after this first session.
Bereavement, Illness and Death
Before training as a psychotherapist, I worked as a nurse in palliative and home care. I also have personal experience of illness, disability and bereavement, and of being a family carer.
These aspects of my life give me a special understanding of the stresses and challenges they can bring. I can support you with -
- adjusting to a life-changing or limiting illness
(your own or that of a loved one), considering approaching death, including your wishes regarding care and treatment.
- the loss of someone important in your life through death or the end of a relationship - in our society we may feel hurried into moving on, but grief and mourning need time and attention. I can support you as you honour your loss. And bereavement isn't always straightforward - you may have mixed feelings about the person, or they may have been a negative influence in your life. All your feelings will be welcome, as will thoughts about how to pick up the threads of your life and how you might want to live in your changed circumstances.
- as a former nurse, I welcome medical staff
as clients. I have an understanding of the pressures that working in this field brings and can help you give yourself some of the attention you routinely offer to others.
- finding balance in life if you have become an unpaid carer
- a uniquely challenging role, which can change relationships and bring unwelcome feelings including guilt, resentment and a deep exhaustion. It's okay to give yourself some time and space each week to look at your own needs.
Getting in touch
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or to discuss what you are seeking from counselling.
