Annette Gordon

My practice at the Elysia Therapeutic Centre in Stourbridge is currently on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Working integratively means that I can make use of various ways of working to find what suits you and what you may find most helpful.  We'll review the process together periodically to make sure that you feel you are getting what you need from the counselling work.

We may explore your feeling life, how you think and respond to situations around you; you may recognise unhelpful patterns that have evolved over time and we can identify more beneficial ways of dealing with challenges that come along; sometimes it can be helpful to focus on an event that has had a significant effect on you and to work together to unblock any hindrances it may have caused; or you may want to look at your life as a whole and try to understand and find meaning in what you have experienced.

My intention is to be led by you and to enable you to gain insight and understanding that leave you feeling strong, confident, empowered and positive about your abilities and your future. 

Counselling sessions are normally an hour long.  In working with couples at times this may need to be adjusted in advance to an hour and a half; with children it may be a little shorter than an hour depending on what the child can manage.     

In our first session I'll explain how confidentiality will work in our counselling and then you'll have the chance to share what is bringing you to therapy, what you may be struggling with and what you hope to get from counselling.  Towards the end of the session we'll see how it feels for us to continue working together.  This is so important  - for you to have some confidence in this therapeutic relationship helping you to move forward.  If you don't feel this, then we'll discuss what the next step may be for you, so that you don't feel you are being dropped or rejected.

I currently practise at the Elysia Therapeutic Centre in Stourbridge on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.  I also offer phone and online supervision via conference call.

Over the years I have found supervision for my own counselling practice invaluable in supporting my learning, self awareness and development, as well as enabling me to gain the confidence and skills to meet the challenges in practising as a counsellor.  

As a supervisor I hope to offer a confidential and safe space for you to be able to share the challenges and successes of your work with clients, so that you can feel renewed energy and confidence in your counselling practice. 

As in counselling, one of the lynchpins of supervision is the relationship between us so periodically we will look at how this is for you and for me, so that trust and confidence in our process can be strengthened and you can feel further supported in your work.

I have worked as a qualified counselling supervisor since 2003,  working with experienced counsellors, counsellors in training as well as newly qualified counsellors.  This has been an enriching experience where there has been an atmosphere of mutual learning and respectful enquiry that is aimed at enabling and supporting supervisees in their skills and development as counsellors.

My intention is to support you and to facilitate your development in your role as a counsellor so that you can work insightfully, competently and professionally with your clients.

Qualifications

M.A. in Counselling (2000)

Diploma in Counselling Supervision (2003)

Diploma in Biographical Counselling (2006)

Intermediate level in Family Therapy and Systemic Practice (2017)

Postgraduate Diploma in Dramatherapy (1992)

Experience

I've counselled in a variety of settings including the NHS, school and educational settings, voluntary sector, hospice and private practice. 

My supervision work has included group supervision in higher education settings and individual supervision within the voluntary sector, hospice and private practice.

Supervision sessions tend to be an hour and a half a month, unless otherwise stipulated, such as fortnightly meetings with trainee supervisees, when necessary, in order to meet BACP requirements. 

My work is informed by the 7-eyed model of Hawkins and Shohet as well as Page and Wosket's cyclical model of supervision.  At times supervisees have found it beneficial to make use of some creative methods to explore particular issues such as drawing, sculpting and gestalt work.  You are welcome to express any preferences you may have in our working together.

I offer a preliminary no obligation meeting which is up to an hour long.  I like to have this opportunity for us both to share our counselling and supervisory experience, what you feel you are needing or expecting from supervision and to see if we feel we can work together. 

This session's charge is £10 only, to go towards room hire costs.