Reaching out for help is the bravest thing that you can do.
Welcome to Armitage Counselling Services
Counselling & Psychotherapy in Derby & Online
Firstly, thank you for taking the time to view my website. My name is Tracey and I am a counsellor based in Derby. I also offer online sessions via Zoom or Teams.
The thought of entering therapy may seem a little daunting to begin with, therefore it is important that you find someone that you can trust, someone that you feel comfortable with and allows you to feel valued and safe. The ability to accompany someone on their journey of self discovery is a privilege that I will always feel grateful for and it is my aim to provide an environment in which clients feel secure, heard and important.
Sadly, life is not always straightforward and there are times when we need help to process and explore our difficulties. My role is to accompany you on this journey, providing space to allow exploration and growth to occur whilst offering skills and techniques that will encourage alternative approaches to situations. I am registered with the BACP: 01008367
How I Work
I initially completed my undergraduate degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy and have since continued to train as an Integrative Therapist, therefore, I am in the fortunate position of being able to offer various techniques, to provide a tailored approach to each client. I am trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Attachment Theory and Person Centred Theory. I would be happy to explain each of these approaches to you in more depth.
People come to me for help a wide range of issues. Here are a few of the more common difficulties that can be supported through therapy:
Feelings of stress or anxiety
Panic attacks
Relationship problems
Grief, loss or bereavement
Problems with addiction
Trauma and post-traumatic stress
Depression
Problems with confidence or self-esteem
Anger management
Issues relating to sexuality
Difficulties at work or in retirement
Problems with family or school life
SPEAK IN CONFIDENCE
Counselling takes place in a safe space, where you can meet with someone who will listen with sensitivity and empathy - and without judgement. In the therapy space thoughts and feelings can be expressed freely and in confidence.
A PROBLEM SHARED...
Trouble with a relationship; anxiety or panic attacks; mood swings or depression - many people face difficulties in their everyday lives that can be hard to get on top of. Counselling gives us a set of tools we can use to help gain a better understanding of what’s causing these problems - and how you can move towards managing or resolving them.
ADDICTION...
Addiction is a complex disease that can significantly impact upon all areas of life. I offer an holistic approach that supports the whole family, not just the person that is suffering with the addiction. This is a unique approach to therapy and is tailored accordingly to suit the requirements of the individual, and those close to them. The journey of recovery is personal, therefore I suggest you call for more details surrounding this service and how we can approach this together.
MAKE BETTER, HEALTHIER NEW CHOICES
Working together I can help you gain greater insight into the difficulties you are facing, help you understand why you act or react to them the way you do, and see how you can start to make better, heathier choices moving forward.
Contact Me
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how I work, or to arrange a free consultation. This enables us to discuss the reasons you are thinking of coming to counselling, whether it could be helpful for you and whether I am the right therapist to help.
You can also call me on 07783 462954 if you would prefer to leave a message or speak to me first. I am happy to discuss any queries or questions you may have prior to arranging an initial appointment.
GETTING STARTED
Therapy has the ability to transform your life, therefore, it is important that you find a therapist that you feel you have a connection with and whom you can trust. For this reason, I would prefer to invite you along for a relaxed, initial consultation, free of charge. This provides us with an opportunity to explore the therapeutic journey together and allows you to decide if I am the right therapist for you. I am based in Derby and I am happy to provide therapy in my therapy suite, online or outdoors for 'walk and talk' therapy. It is important that you feel safe in your environment, therefore, I am happy to accommodate your requirements where possible. Prices start from £35. I offer discounted rates for undergraduate students that require personal therapy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Counselling is usually a good way to help with a current problem; something that can be discussed and - hopefully - resolved within a limited number of sessions. Over a certain number of weeks the understanding of the problem improves and away forward becomes clear. Therapy often describes work that goes a bit deeper, towards more substantial life issues and problems having a deeper effect on the client’s life. Therapy often requires a long-term approach, so the number of sessions can be open-ended.
Which option is most suitable depends on the client and the difficulties they are facing. In some cases counselling works well as an ongoing, longer-term option - or therapy can manage to resolve an issue in just a few sessions.
How long a period of counselling lasts will vary from person to person and depend on the depth of the issues they are facing. For some people a couple of sessions helps to bring their problems into focus, and they feel ready to move forward; other problems may require more of an open-ended approach.
Before we begin any work we will agree on the number of sessions we’ll undertake, and at the end of that number review our progress. As long as we both agree further therapy will be of benefit to you, sessions can continue.
My aim is to offer a first appointment - known as an initial assessment - within 1-2 weeks. Then we would arrange a set number of counselling sessions to take place at the same time every week, that is convenient for you and where I have availabity. How quickly these sessions can begin will depend on the availabity of that free ‘slot’.
Everything that is said within the counselling room is private - this is one of the main ways counselling and therapy differ from talking to a friend or relative. Once you are comfortable with the format of weekly sessions and the safe space they provide, you will find the freedom to speak in confidence is of great value.
Note that there are some situations where you may be a risk to yourself or others, and there the law requires that I notify an authority; in these cases I may not be able to keep total confidentiality. Breaking confidentiality is very rare though, and only happens after the person concerned has been informed.
Usually I am asked this question by people who are nervous about entering into counselling, or when they are looking for support in coming to see a therapist. This anxiety is understandable, but a key aspect of therapy is that you should feel free to talk about any issues you feel are important to you. Having someone else with you who can be connected those issues makes this opening-up more difficult, so for this reason I do not see clients accompanied by friends or family.
© Tracey Armitage
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