Debbie Kershaw

COUNSELLOR
Person-Centred Counsellor (In-person and Online)
MBACP

About me

I’m a qualified person-centred counsellor and Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Being a Person-centred counsellor means that I put you as a unique individual at the heart of my work. I respect your individuality and your innate capacity for growth and treat you as the expert in your own experiences.

My background has been in the voluntary, education, charity, and private sectors before qualifying as a counsellor.

I work with adults and young people to create a safe therapeutic environment where you can explore your thoughts and feelings without fear of judgement. I won’t tell you what to do or how to live your life but rather help you to navigate life’s challenges to feel more empowered and less alone.

Making the decision to go to counselling takes courage and is the first step in a journey that we take together towards greater mental wellbeing. Whilst counselling can be challenging at times, and you may be nervous about sharing your experiences, most people find that it is worth the risk. As a trauma informed practitioner, I work to your pace and will never push you to share more than you are ready to.

As well as my private work I also work as a trauma informed counsellor for RSVP (Rape and Sexual Violence Project) in Birmingham and undergo regular continuous professional development training.

Counselling Individuals (Adults)

I believe strongly in the importance of the counselling relationship and valuing each person as an individual who is capable of their own growth and change.

As Carl Rogers puts it: “Growth occurs when individuals confront problems, struggle to master them, and through that struggle develop new aspects of their skills, capacities and views about life.”

Whilst I am person centred at my core, I use a variety of counselling approaches with adults depending on your individual needs which we will identify together. This might include some psychoeducation, grounding and body healing work, creative techniques, or just pure talking therapy. Although there is never an expectation for you to embrace any techniques that might be offered. I work towards helping you identify your strengths and feel more in control of your experiences, thoughts, and feelings, through understanding, curiosity, and compassion.

I work face to face and online with adults.

Counselling Individuals (CYP)

I hold a CPCAB approved post qualification Certificate in Counselling Children and Young People and work in schools, privately and at a centre for sexual trauma in Birmingham.

I have experience of working with children and young people who have experienced sexual abuse as well as other forms of abuse, who are at risk of Child Sexual Exploitation and may be self-harming or having suicidal thoughts. I also work with other common mental health problems in children and young people such as stress and anxiety, depression, peer pressure, low self-esteem, and relationships.

I have experience working with children and young people who are on the Autism spectrum whether they have a formal diagnosis or not and those who are selective mute.

For a lot of children and teenagers having the space to explore thoughts and feelings without judgement can be a very unfamiliar experience and I use a variety of techniques to help them communicate. This might include art therapy, storytelling, sand play, crafts, and soft toys. Or with older teenagers, if they prefer, I may just use talking therapy in a similar way to adult work or a combination of creative and talking therapy. I also use stabilisation techniques and grounding if the child or young person wishes to.

I work face to face and online with young people (13+ for online).

Clients I work with

Individuals, adults and young people from 10 years. Long term and short term work.

How I deliver therapy

Via Video Technology and In-Person

Therapy approaches

Humanistic, Person-Centred, Trauma Informed , Young Person, Creative

What I can help with

I have experience working with such issues as:

Depression
Anxiety
Relationship issues
Low self-esteem
Loss
Bereavement
Abuse
Coercive or abusive relationships
Self-harm
Suicidal feelings
Trauma including sexual trauma

Ethical practice

I am Registered member of the BACP and work to their ethical framework. I also undertake regular clinical supervision, peer supervisions and attend reflective circles. I hold an enhanced DBS certificate on the update service for working with adults and children and young people.

Qualifications/CPD

CPCAB Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling – Level 4
CPCAB – Certificate in working with Children and Young People
CYP Training Pathway: A Trauma Informed and Responsive Approach to working therapeutically with children and young people.
CPCAB Level 3 Counselling Studies
CPCAB Level 2 Counselling Skills

Dr Karen Triesman – disrupted attachment training
Understanding County Lines training
Cadmus Inclusive – child development and play therapy.
Carolyn Spring- Child Sexual abuse – hope for recovery
RSVP Trauma informed practice training
RSVP – Surviving in shark infested waters.
Right Help Right Time safeguarding training
RSVP – ISVA training
Dr Karen Triesman trauma informed working with CYP
CADMUS inclusive – working with neurodiversity.
Alison Templeton – creating safe spaces.
Helping parents and children through the pandemic
Safe Young Lives – Domestic abuse experiences
Rosilke Hasseldine -Mother/daughter relationships
Working with domestic abuse
Why diversity matters
Working with domestic abuse and Children
Preparing for private practice
Counselling online, a coronavirus primer
Moving your practice online
Understanding and Managing Loneliness
A Matter of Life and Death – loss and bereavement
Safeguarding Children and Young People
Place2Be Introductory Workshop; working with children therapeutically.
Prevent Training
Understanding Autism and Neurodiversity
Children and Young People Criminal Exploitation Training - West Midlands Violence Reduction Partnership