Counselling for brain injury
Having a brain injury can be life changing and devastating and affects everyone differently. Faced with the challenges that this brings it can often be an overwhelming and isolating experience, and through my own journey with traumatic brain injury, I’m familiar with how significant the physical and emotional impacts of this are. Talking through these difficulties may help with feeling supported in dealing and coming to terms with everything and accepting the changed version of yourself. Some common
issues after brain injury can be anxiety, depression, stress, apathy, overwhelm, emotional dysregulation, emotional and behaviour changes such as anger and sadness, low self-worth, social difficulties, isolation, grief, loss, emotional lability, memory, executive dysfunction and difficulties with planning and organisation. Adjusting to life with brain injury can be daunting and sometimes can feel hopeless but we can work together
towards any goals you may have learning new skills to help. Through having neuro rehabilitation myself this has informed my practice and I’ve learned a lot about how the brain works differently after injury, the associated difficulties with this and the adjustments needed to daily living in order to manage and cope with this including strategies, plans and techniques. Gaining a better understanding of how you’re feeling and why helps to develop insight and awareness which in turn validates your experiences and helps with self compassion.
Walk and talk/ecotherapy
Mindfulness in nature
Experience:
I have been lucky enough to work and volunteer in some inspiring roles over the years and since being young I have a long career working with horses that led me to 6 months volunteering at Ambury Park Centre for riding therapy in New Zealand where I was an intensive therapy support worker for Riding for the Disabled and also supported children and young people within an alternative curriculum setting incorporating equine assisted learning. Whilst in New Zealand I also volunteered for the Department of Conservation and assisted in their rare bird project on the Island of Tiritiri Matangi and planted trees on the island of Motuihe and both of these roles gave me amazing experiences. Back home I then volunteered at Densholme Community care farm and again was involved with supporting young people and adults with therapeutic farm activities.
I started training to become a counsellor at night class and thoroughly enjoyed working my way up through the levels and at level 4 I went to college and completed my placement hours at 2 different specialist organisations that have given me invaluable experience working with diverse client populations broadening my knowledge and gaining insights into differing needs and challenges. Some of the work I have done over the years has involved counselling for depression, anxiety, stress, low self esteem, emotional regulation, panic attacks, PTSD, dissociation, dissociative identity disorders, child sexual abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, autism, bereavement, pet loss, complex trauma and disability and I developed a trauma informed approach through my counselling experience and trauma training. Following my own disability with brain injury I then decided that this was the area I wanted to specialise in as I understood first hand the difficulties so have regularly been attending brain injury conferences, forums and webinars and am also now on the committee for Humber and North Yorkshire Acquired Brain Injury Network raising awareness around brain injury and services in the area. I also work freelance for specialist organisations which include P.A.U.L for brain recovery, Joshua’s light foundation and professional rehabilitation services aswell as having my private practice. I have come full circle and feel honoured to now be in a position to help others.
Our Fees
- Face to Face Counselling £65 for 50 minutes
- Walk and Talk/Ecotherapy £65 for 50 minutes
- Mindfulness in Nature £65 for 50 minutes
- Online and Telephone Counselling £65 for 50 minutes