Anna-Clare Dyson

My name is Anna and I specialise in counselling teenagers and young adults. I have over 15 years experience of working with young people in various capacities.

My role as an integrative counsellor is to work with each individuals needs, applying and adapting various theories, models and tools to help make the experience of counselling helpful and rewarding. As a member of the BACP (British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapist) my practice must adhere to their strict code of ethics and rigorous guidelines. I am fully DBS checked (enhanced) and up-to-date on the latest safeguarding policies and procedures.

I believe the fundamental aspect of successful counselling is the importance of a strong therapeutic relationship between the counsellor and client. Trust and safety need to be established to enable a young person to open up and feel safe enough to discuss painful life experiences, difficult situations past and present traumas. I offer an empathic, warm and friendly space.

My expertise allows me to apply the use of therapeutic arts in the counselling space. If desired, paint, pens, clay or sand tray can be offered and explored. Through the use of metaphor often deeper, reflective work can be experienced. I am passionate about helping young people process painful life experiences, helping them with the tools to apply in their everyday lives to enable them to make positive steps into their futures. My hope for the young people I work with is that they feel heard, accepted and end the work equip with tools to lead them into their futures. 

In my practice I specialise in the use of therapeutic arts. Throughout my training the arts were used as a tool to help deepen the emotional reflective work. Sometimes young people struggle to vocalise their feelings and emotions, therapeutic arts can be hugely beneficial in supporting this part of the healing process.

Where appropriate, I offer the use of various mediums, paint, pens, sand tray, clay emotion cards, story telling and bodywork. This is always a choice for the young person and not always explored.

Any therapeutic art which the young person is wanting to keep can be taken home or kept safely with me should they want to revisit in later sessions.

Free 20 minute initial consultation

An initial consultation allows us to discuss either over the phone or in person your young persons needs (or your own if over 18). This will help to determine whether I am the right person for you. This will give us an opportunity to talk through why counselling has been sought and any questions you may have. I will also enquire about your family set up and life to help me to contextualise and understand our starting point. If we feel further time is needed to discuss your requirements, a further charged consultation session can be arranged.

Short term and long term plans

In our initial consultation we will discuss plans, generally clients begin with a short term plan which usually consists of 8-12 sessions focusing on a particular issue. Depending on what arises, it may be offered to consider longer, open ended work.

On occasion, it may be helpful to meet with parents separately (if under 18) this can be beneficial in discussing systemic support that can help along side therapy. This is always with agreement of the young person.

Payment

I charge £60 per 50 min session, payable by bank transfer within 24hrs of our session.