Cheryl Backham

I have availability:

Thursday: Mornings and Afternoons

Friday: Mornings and Afternoons.  

Life can be challenging, especially when you don't have someone that will be there for you to just listen.

I'm a fully qualified MBACP (Accred) counsellor with over 1000 hours of experience, working with both adults and children.

I was trained at Staffordshire University to be an integrative psychotherapist, which means I have knowledge of Person-Centred, Psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Attachment and Systemic Theory. 

My counselling approach is person centred. This allows you to explore your thoughts and feelings, supported in a safe, non-judgemental way with someone who is empathetic and respects you. I will work alongside you to listen and guide you to a place where you want to be.

Counselling/ Psychotherapy is a place in which you can become attuned to who you really are. Fears and struggles can be explored as well as aspirations, wants and fulfilment. I am not an “expert”, I will not “work” on you. What will happen is a mutual collaboration between us that will allow us to work together to explore different ways of being.

To show that I understand you, I may use metaphors or images as I believe the English language is not broad enough to be able to explain what we are feeling and what is going on inside our heads. I may also use art materials to explore thoughts and feelings if I feel this would be easier for you than trying to explain what is going on for you. However, this is not for everyone and you are more than welcome to say no thank you. 

The first initial consultation is free of charge and lasts for 30 minutes, where you are more than welcome to ask questions and get a feel for me as a therapist to see if I would be the right fit for you.

My availability for new clients is on Thursday and Friday daytimes. 

I am currently training in EMDR Therapy, and I am looking for client that are interested in seeking EMDR Therapy with an experienced therapist training in this modality.    

What the model does:

Disturbing events can be stored in the brain in an isolated memory network. This prevents learning from taking place. The old material just keeps getting triggered over and over again. In another part of your brain, in a separate network, is most of the information you need to resolve it. It's just prevented from linking up to the old stuff. Once we start processing with EMDR, the 2 networks can link up. New information can come to mind and resolve the old problems.

Although unpleasant pictures, sensations or emotions may come up as we do the eye movements, you can stop the process whenever you want simply by raising your hand. However, I will encourage you to continue if possible but also respect your decision. The idea is that if you want drive though a dark tunnel quickly, you keep your foot on the accelerator. If you take your foot off, your car slows down and coasts. So, to get us through unpleasant emotions, keeping eyes moving will get us through more quickly. As we do the set of eye movements, try to remember that we are only processing old stuff. It may feel real, but it’s just the old memories locked in the nervous system. The idea is to let the brain become unlocked and let the information pass though.

Setting Expectations:

As we process the information and digest the old events, pictures, sensations, or emotions may arise, but your job is just to notice them, just let them happen. Imagine you are on a train and the scenery is passing by. Just notice the scenery without trying to grab hold of it or make it significant.  You can’t keep the picture steady while the eye movements are going on, so don’t try. When we talk, you just need to give me feedback on what is happening. Sometimes things will change and sometimes they won’t. There are no ‘supposed to’s’ in this process. So just tell me what is happening or not. Just let whatever happens, happen. The feedback should be brief, 10 words or less. Any questions?

The first 2-3 sessions is history taking and coming up with a treatment plan. 

I am currently unavailable on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 

The way I work:

I work with the Seven-eyed supervision model. which means Demonstrating a healthy supervisory relationship, with clear and gentle feedback. I write fair and collaborative with my supervise's.

I regularly have reviews on how the supervisions is going, so supervise's can bring any concerns they have.

I can be contacted between sessions should you need emergency contact, you can email/telephone/text and I will endeavour to respond asap.

I work online, telephone and I see supervise's face to face. 

I'm a fully qualified Supervisor, where I gained my Post Graduate Certificate in Clinical Supervision from The Manchester Institute for Psychotherapy working using the Seven-eyed supervision model.

I'm willing to supervise qualified and trainee counsellors, but I also take enquiries from other sectors that require supervision. 

The first initial consultation is free of charge and lasts for 30 minutes, where you are more than welcome to ask questions and get a feel for me as a Supervisor to see if I would be the right fit for you.

I charge:

60 minutes: £45,  90 minutes: £50, 120 minutes: £55. 

For counselling students, I charge £35 per hour.