MEET THE TEAM

BECKY WEIR

Therapy Services Lead

MA, MBACP Accred.

Becky has been working as a counsellor since 2006 working with all areas of mental health and difficult life issues, she has a background working with trauma and sexual violence.  She has recently completed training in EMDR which allows a specialist approach to trauma work.  She is a qualified clinical supervisor and accredited counsellor and member of the BACP.  She is also qualified and experienced in working with young people.  She is currently training with her dog Luna to provide Animal Assisted Therapy.

SHELAGH FISHER

Placement Manager

BA, MBACP Reg.

Shelagh has been a counsellor since 2006 working with all areas of mental health and difficult life issues, she has a background in drug and alcohol services and specialises in trauma work and sexual violence.  She is trained in working with bereavement, mental health, and time limited counselling.  She is a registered member of the BACP.

LUNA

Trainee Therapy Dog

Luna is a Sheepadoodle who is beginning her journey to be a therapy dog.  She is currently in training and may sit in on sessions from time to time. For now she provides a friendly greeting and support to everyone in the office.

SARAH HICKMAN

Counselling Co-ordinator

MSc, MBACP Reg.

Sarah is one of our team of Qualified Counsellors.

Sarah is a BACP registered Psychotherapeutic Counsellor, working from an integrative approach. She graduated from Staffordshire University with a Masters focused around perinatal mental health. 

She has experience working with a wide range of mental health issues including depression, anxiety and work-based stress.  

Sarah also supports students throughout their time at University, as a Specialist Mental Health Mentor. This involves introducing organisational and time management skills, combined with a solution- focused approach to enable students to overcome their barriers to education.  

She has also completed further training around Autism and ADHD and is continuing to develop her experience and knowledge in these areas.

MICK GRAHAM

Clinical Lead

L6 Dip, MBACP Accred.

Mick is one of our team of Accredited Counsellors and a Clinical Supervisor.

Mick is a professional & highly motivated individual who practices predominantly from the person-centred approach, but has experience using other approaches in his work. He has worked as a school counsellor, volunteered in a local hospice and currently specialise in supporting clients affected by trauma and sexual violence.

Mick provides clinical supervision for counsellors and others in the helping professions.

He has hands-on experience in mentoring children and young adults regarding various experiences including anxiety, self-harm, educational, social, and family issues. He is skilled in supporting and guiding children/adults about various life prospects with keen focus on improving mental health and lifestyle.

CHERI GILLINGS

BSc, MBACP Reg.

Cheri is one of our team of Qualified Counsellors.

Cheri is a qualified counsellor and coach who has a range of experience including working with children and young people. She has been working with a range of mental health issues and is now undertaking training in CBT so has joined the team and has completed her placement for her BSc.

Gemma Stephenson

Qualified Counsellor

BA, MBACP Reg.

Gemma has experience of working as a counsellor with children and young people at Base 25.  She has worked with adults, conducting clinical assessments for mental health presentations within the NHS Talking Therapies service. 

Currently, she works within the Therapeutic Team within a children's residential setting, alongside counselling for the Midland Therapy Group. 

Gemma has worked with a range of presentations, including depression and anxiety, change and life adjustment, trauma, and support with acceptance around change or influential conditions that may increase challenges faced in life.  Gemma is currently working towards accreditation within the BACP.

ANDREA PALMER

L5 Dip. MBACP Reg.

Andrea is one of our team of Qualified Counsellors.

Andrea started her counselling training back in 2018 and has just completed her Level 5 diploma in counselling. Previous to this, she achieved a BSc in Criminology & Criminal Justice studies with law at the university of Plymouth.

She works from an integrative approach allowing her to work with a variety of clients.  With experience working with a wide range of mental health issues, including past trauma, self-esteem, anxiety and past abuse.

JO TONKS

L5 Dip. MBACP Reg.

Jo is one of our team of Qualified Counsellors.

Jo has completed her diploma in Counselling and her placement hours. 

Jo works from an integrative approach and is gaining experience in many areas of mental health and issues in life that you may struggle and find difficult, including a wide range of mental health issues and sexual violence.

Jo is a warm and empathetic counsellor who offers a non-judgemental and safe space for you to explore your personal challenges, make sense of them, and find your own solutions when needed.

Mill Watt

MSc MBACP Reg.

Mill is a newly qualified psychotherapeutic counsellor, having completed an MSc in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy this year.

Mill has supported individuals through a range of mental health challenges. She has a particular interest in working with neurodivergent young people and adults, having conducted research into autistic students for her MSc thesis. Mill also has experience of working with self-esteem, bereavement, anxiety, exploring identity, estrangement, trauma, and experience of volunteering for a crisis helpline.

Mill works from a mainly person centred approach, alongside elements of existential therapy, ACT and mindfulness, and can offer tailored support and appropriate interventions to suit individual client needs.

TRACEY BARNES

L4 Dip. MBACP Reg.

Tracey is one of our newly qualified counsellors, having completed her Diploma in Integrative Therapeutic Counselling.

Tracey is warm and empathetic and offers a calm, supportive and non-judgemental space for clients to explore their thoughts and feelings and has experience working with a range of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety and low self-esteem and continues to engage in her professional development.

ALI LLOYD

FdSc, MBACP Reg.

Ali is one of our team of Newly Qualified Counsellors

Ali has completed her Foundation Degree in Counselling and has completed a Diploma in working with Children and Young People. She began working with us for a year as an Intern and then completed her placement hours in the second year of her course.

Ali works from a Person Centred approach, although she can use other approaches to adapt to the needs of the client.

She has a background in children's social care, youth work and working with adults with learning disabilities and autism.

Katie Poole

L4 Dip. BACP Student Member

Katie is one of our team of trainee counsellors and is currently undertaking her placement to gain her Diploma in Integrative Therapeutic Counselling.

Katie primarily works from a person centred approach and she offers an empathetic, safe, and non-judgemental space for clients to explore their feelings. She has experience with listening services and volunteering with victims of past trauma and a variety of mental health issues. 

Katie will qualify in 2025 and aims to further continue her training to offer more specific counselling for victims of trauma and abuse. 

JOHN DAS

MSc BACP Student Member

John is one of our team of trainee counsellors.

John recently started his placement to gain his MSc in Integrative Counselling. His approach is welcoming, empathetic and non-judgemental.

John has a background in broadcasting and documentary-making. He expects to complete his training in 2025.

HANNAH PURDIE

L4 Dip. NCPS Student Member

Hannah is one of our Trainee Counsellors.

She is currently completing her placement to gain her Diploma in Integrative Therapeutic Counselling.

Hannah primarily works from a person centred approach and she offers a safe, and non-judgemental space for clients to explore their emotions. She has experience volunteering within a crisis helpline and has been supporting the organisation for the past year.

James Turrell

L5 Dip. BACP Student Member

James is one of our team of Trainee Counsellors and is currently undertaking his L5 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling.

James has a passion for supporting people, developed through a number of educational experiences and senior leadership roles. James works from a integrative approach to counselling.

James has a background in the retail sector, transitioning to education as a lecturer in Business Management. James will complete his training in 2025 to become a qualified practitioner.