Joy Hazlehurst

THE AIM OF COUNSELLING IS TO REDUCE CONFUSION &  UNDERSTAND PROBLEMS. TO FACILITATE  CHOICE & CHANGE.

The client is his/her own expert and the counsellors' role is to help facilitate their healing and growth by listening with concern and without judgement, within a safe and supportive environment.  The client will be encouraged to focus on themselves and to express their feelings. The counsellor will tell the client what they notice and sense, plus challenge unhelpful thinking thereby enabling the client to gain a greater understanding of their difficulties and discover healthier ways to cope.

Frequently these feelings may become even more intense during counselling or new ones emerge, whilst this can be difficult it can also become empowering.

The unique relationship between the client and counsellor is an essential part of the process and may not be like any other that the client has experienced elsewhere.  Counsellors will not befriend their clients and discourage dependency.

The ultimate aim of counselling is for the client to make their own choices and put them into action in order to lead a more fulfilling life.

In 1995 I began studying to be a Person-Centred Counsellor; qualifying at The University of Salford in 2001.  I was Accredited by our governing body The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy in 2004.

1999 I was accepted by North Staffs Mind in Hanley to do my counselling placement and continued there for ten years working up through volunteer, temporary and then full-time permanent counselling contracts, working as a counsellor for adults and young people; leaving Mind in 2009 to semi-retire.

2001 ~ to-date I began independent practice at The Hope Street Centre offering counselling to adults, couples, children and young people. 

2002 ~  2007 I was sponsored to train in several levels of Triple ‘P’ Positive Parenting Programme, which is Psychology and CBT based.   I facilitated this excellent programme to parents, either on a one-to-one or within small groups, throughout Stoke-on-Trent.  I also offer Parenting Support at The Hope Street Centre.

Further to the above I have worked in schools supporting children with behavioural problems, and set up a counselling service for children, parents plus staff within a Runcorn Primary School.

I currently work for a number of Employer Assisted Programmes, Insurance and Occupational Health companies plus as an Agency CBT Therapist / Counsellor (NHS IAPT).

The issues I have worked with over the years is broad, the following are but a few:  Abuse; Addictions; Anger management; Anxiety; Bereavement; Bullying - school and workplace; Confidence; Depression; Highly Sensitive Person HSP; Loss; OCD; Personal Development; Relationship; Self-Esteem; Self-Harm; Spirituality; Stress; Trauma; Work related issues.

As required by BACP, our governing body, I have continued with my professional development over the years.  Although I am not a qualified nutritionist, I have done much research into the affect of ‘Food’ on our ‘Mood and Behaviour’.

I am insured with Howden Professionals and CRB checked: Basic Disclosure - 25th January 2012

FEES:

INDIVIDUALS:    £40 per 50 minute session    
COUPLES:         £50 per 50 minute session
GROUPS:           £40 for the first person + £10 per extra person per 50 minutes (therefore six people would be £90)

CORPORATE RATES:  
     INDIVIDUALS:     £45 per 50 minute session 
     COUPLES:          £55 per 50 minute session; per couple
     GROUPS:            £45 for the first person + £15 per extra person.  (Therefore six people would be £120 per 50 minute session).