Ian West

I currently have availability from Monday - Friday 08:00 - 20:00 and weekends from 09:00 - 13:00. 

I am an Accredited MBACP Registered Humanistic Integrative Counsellor & Counselling Supervisor with over 10 years of experience in working with individuals, and groups of all ages, sexual orientations, and cultural backgrounds. I am based in Colchester CO1. 

Depending on your presenting issues/needs I will draw on cognitive, psychodynamic, attachment, and relational theories and concepts, to provide either short-term-focused counselling/therapy or longer-term in-depth psychotherapy.

Most of us, will at some point, and for various reasons, experience emotional and/or psychological challenges which can impact upon and limit the quality of our lives. Relationship difficulties or being 'stuck' in self-defeating/repeating unwanted patterns of behaviour, perhaps finding it hard to accept feelings around past/present/future life events, or maybe anxious, angry, sad or depressed about life in general. In these situations, counselling and psychotherapy can be of benefit in offering a space where you can talk openly about yourself and be listened to and understood, in a way that is perhaps difficult to find with, or ask of, family, friends and work colleagues.

I offer a confidential, safe and reliable place for you to make sense of your current difficulties, and the establishment of a trusting therapeutic relationship will help you to explore any past formative experiences and future concerns, which may be impacting your present-day choices/decisions, and in the ways that you form and maintain relationships with others, and how you see, think and feel about yourself.

If you're ready to embark on a transformative journey towards self-discovery and personal growth, I invite you to take the first step. Together, we can explore your challenges, uncover underlying patterns, and develop strategies to overcome obstacles. Through collaboration, we can work towards creating meaningful changes for a more fulfilling life.

In my counseling practice, I prioritize creating a safe and supportive environment for clients to explore their thoughts and feelings. I offer individual counseling, supervision, and group therapy sessions, focusing on fostering personal growth and emotional well-being. My approach integrates various therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness techniques, tailored to meet the unique needs of each client.

In group practice, participants can expect to engage in meaningful discussions, share experiences, and develop essential skills in emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance. These groups promote a sense of community, encouraging connection and mutual support among members.

Supervision sessions are designed for professionals seeking guidance in their practice, providing a space for reflection, skill enhancement, and ethical considerations. My goal is to empower clients and supervisees alike, fostering resilience and self-awareness through collaborative exploration.

Whether you are seeking individual support, group engagement, or professional supervision, my practice is dedicated to helping you navigate challenges and achieve your personal and professional goals. Together, we will work towards creating positive change in your life.

Group work

I am offering a 12-week program of weekly Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Process Groups, with sessions lasting 2 hours each. The cost is £20 per session, totaling £240, payable in advance. These groups create a supportive environment for developing skills in emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance, and mindfulness. The process groups will also explore emotional responses to various life experiences, fostering self-awareness and resilience through shared insights. There is an option to continue participation beyond the initial 12 weeks.

Our first session will involve a consultation session to explore your reasons for seeking therapy. Following the initial contact, usually, an assessment takes place, which also provides an opportunity to explore the presenting problem and the events that led up to its development and to locate it within the context of the individual’s life history.

Within this initial consultation, I focus on aspects of the presenting issue, if there is any mental health or prescribed medication, how clients mobility and physical health is, if there are any psychological or emotional issues, I will explore family dynamics and attachment issues, and possibly if required assess any safeguarding, physical, mental, sexual, or domestic abuse issues.

Another aspect of the consultation is to assess whether Integrative/psychodynamic counselling is the most appropriate form of help at that time. The need to make any referrals to either more experienced therapists that focus specifically in areas that may unfold within the consultation.