About me - Eleanor Higginson - (Dip. Psych. Couns. MBACP & MNCPS Acc.)
I am an integrative psychotherapeutic counsellor trained in humanistic, behavioural and psychodynamic approaches. Working with these different modalities means that we can find the most suitable approach for you, as everyone is different. Sometimes you may need some extra help and support to reach your own inner resources to cope during difficult times in life.
I have experience working with bereavement and loss, suicidal ideation, self-harm, trauma, LGBTQ+, PTSD, anxiety, depression, ADHD, pre-trial therapy, substance abuse, shame and attachment/relationship issues. I have a special interest in working with trauma.
I have worked with young offenders (HMYOI) and I also volunteer with a charity, counselling survivors of historical sexual abuse, sexual violence and domestic abuse.
I have completed a level 5 Post Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapeutic counselling, which has given me a deeper understanding of these theoretical approaches. Working psychotherapeutically enables you to have better self-awareness and an understanding of the influence of the past on present behaviour.
I am currently completing a Master Practitioner Programme with the NCFED (National Centre for Eating Disorders) where I can help support eating disorder recovery, including Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge-eating Disorders.
I am also an EFT Tapping Practitioner, which is an emotional healing technique which is also capable of relieving many physical symptoms. It contends that the cause of all negative emotions is a disruption on the body's energy system and meridian points are tapped on to balance this flow of energy. EFT is safe and effective, easy to learn and simple to use. I can teach you to use this technique.
I am a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS Acc.)
I hold an advanced DBS Certificate.
Approach
As an integrative therapist, I exercise skill and care in the services I provide and incorporate a range of techniques from my training and experience to enable you to explore difficult feelings at your own pace, in a safe, compassionate and respectful environment.
Core Qualifications and Training
- Nutritional Interventions for Eating Disorders (National Centre for Eating Disorders 2024)
- Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People aged 4-18 (SPC Training Academy - 2024)
- Essential Obesity - Psychological Interventions (National Centre for Eating Disorders, 2024)
- Emotional Freedom Technique - Applied EFT levels 1 and 2 Practitioner (Key to Empowerment, 2024)
- Practitioner Skills for Eating Disorders - (National Centre for Eating Disorders, 2024)
- Level 5 Post Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling (CPCAB 2021)
- Level 3 Certificate in Practitioners working with Sexual Violence against Young People and Adolescents (Open College Network 2021)
- Aylesbury Vale & Milton Keynes Sexual Assault & Abuse Support Service. Agency training (AVMKSAASS 2020)
- Certificate in Online and telephone counselling – (Counselling Tutor 2020)
- Working online – (BACP 2020)
- BACP Certificate of Proficiency (2020)
- Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (CPCAB 2020)
- Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies (CPCAB 2018)
- Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills (CPCAB 2017)
I regularly complete CPD (continued professional development) in line with ethical requirements to ensure my training is up to date. Here are some main ones:
CPD Undertaken
- Working with the Lived Experience of People with ADHD & ASD (Christiane Sanderson)
- Understanding Personality Disorders and Traits - Diagnosis and Intervention (ITC Consultancy)
- Stabilisation Intervention Programme (SAASSBMK)
- Advanced Diploma in CBT (COE)
- Shame and Trauma Informed Practice (Christiane Sanderson)
- Childhood Anxiety (Institute of Child Psychology)
- Pyschotropic Drugs (AVMKSAASSS)
- Pre-Trial Therapy (Centre for Women's Justice)
- Gambling awareness (Gamcare)
- Working with Suicidal Clients (CT)
Humanistic (Person Centred, Existential, Gestalt)
Humanistic approaches identify and uphold the basic goodness of each individual, while at the same time recognising the adverse circumstances that may obscure these qualities at various stages throughout life. Every person has a unique way of perceiving and interpreting events.
Behavioural (CBT, REBT, DBT)
Exploring how the experience of thinking, reasoning and perceiving affects feelings and behaviours. Looking at irrational beliefs and how this can affect emotions and behaviours. Learning to challenge thoughts and feelings, and looking at emotional regulation.
Psychodynamic (Psychoanalysis)
The psychodynamic approach includes all the theories in psychology that see human functioning based upon the interaction of drives and forces within a person, particularly unconscious. The goals of therapy are for you to have self-awareness and understanding of the influence of the past on present behaviour.