Dawn McHale

I believe that everyone has the ability to realize their potential, and having gained over thirty years experience of working in mental health services, organisations for people with disabilities, homelessness, bereavement, grief and loss, health, rape and abuse, parenting and pregnancy issues, I enjoy the challenge of meeting a range of needs and tailoring my service to meet these. I have a Masters Degree in Counselling and Supervision, an MSc in Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes, a Diploma in Contemporary Trauma Practice, a Master Practitioner in Eating Disorders, a Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People, and a Diploma in Play Therapy.

Organisations I have worked with are Cruse Bereavement Care Bristol, Bath and South West, Bristol Crisis Service for Women, Self-Injury Self-Help, SARA (Support After Rape and Abuse), Kindred Spirits, primary and secondary schools in Cardiff and Bristol, HMP Ashfield, Oasis School of Human Relations, Bodycare Clinics, Marie Stopes International, Off The Record, St Peter's Hospice, The Priory, Second Step, Social Services, Bristol Community Health, Employee Assistance Programmes, and received referrals from media including 'The Jeremy Kyle Show'.

I work Integratively, adopting a wide range of techniques to which may include art, writing, music, movement, storytelling and drama; elements of Person Centred, Cognitive Behavioural Techniques, Transactional Analysis, Jungian Archetypes, Existentialism, Gestalt and Psychosynthesis. This list is not exhaustive.

These skills have been used to help support adults, couples, parents, children, young people, families, groups and organisations. I have a Masters Degree in Counselling and Supervision, an MSc in Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes, a Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People, and a Diploma in Play Therapy.

As an Accredited Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy I am passionately committed to their Ethical Framework and best practice guidelines.

My first session is a welcoming, warm and safe place to bring yourself, to rest and to discuss practical issues such as my contract and how we can support the needs you bring. 

I work Integratively, adopting a wide range of techniques to meet individual's needs which have been acquired through training and professional experience.

I believe that everyone has the ability to realise their potential, and having gained over thirty years experience of working in mental health services, children's services, organisations for people with disabilities, homelessness, bereavement, grief and loss, health, rape and abuse, parenting and pregnancy issues, I enjoy the challenge of meeting a range of needs and tailoring my service to meet these.

I have worked for organisations within schools and also in partnership with schools providing counselling and play therapy. This has offered me rich experience of education culture and practices. 

Organisations I have worked with are Cruse Bereavement Care Bristol, Bath and South West, Bristol Crisis Service for Women, Self-Injury Self-Help, SARA (Support After Rape and Abuse), Kindred Spirits, primary and secondary schools in Cardiff and Bristol, HMP Ashfield, Oasis School of Human Relations, Bodycare Clinics, Marie Stopes International, Off The Record, St Peter’s Hospice, The Priory, Second Step, Social Services, Bristol Community Health, Employee Assistance Programmes, and received referrals from media including ‘The Jeremy Kyle Show’.

My supervision practice is based on the 7 Eyed Model and as I have gained years of experience and a high level of training in creative approaches, I may integrate creative techniques into supervision sessions. This offers supervisees an opportunity to gain a deeper sense of their own practice and also to learn how to use creativity within it to use with their clients. I see supervision as a safe space to play and explore as well as to check out best ethical practice and safeguarding.

As a Counsellor, Play Therapist, trained in working with Eating Disorders and mental health, amongst a wide range of other issues (see above), I can offer supervision for those practising in organisations focused on specific issues and also for those working in private practice. 

My first session is a focus on how we can build our therapeutic alliance, what focus you would like to bring to the sessions, and any distinguishing factors you would like me to know about in order to meet your needs effectively.