The Counsellors: (For full profiles see below.)
More information:
1) Vivienne Cobden
For as long as Vivienne can remember she wanted to work as a therapist/counsellor, even before she knew what a therapist/counsellor was! What she means by this is she has always had time to listen & be interested in others. She found that friends would often feel 'safe' enough to confide in her their very personal problems. After some personal problems of her own, Vivienne started the journey of self discovery by having weekly therapy sessions. She then joined a therapy group before embarking on becoming a group analytic psychotherapist. Vivienne started her 'listening' career as a Samaritan in 1991. This proved to be a tough but very rewarding springboard onto a 4 year training in group therapy at the Institute of Group Analysis & the Westminster Pastoral Foundation (Kensington.) Qualifying in 1996.
Although her training was in group therapy Vivienne now works mainly on a one to one basis offering both short & longer term counselling, for issues such as relationship problems, anxiety, family difficulties, stress etc. As well as her private practice in Bushey, Vivienne works at a primary care trust clinic in Rickmansworth where she receives GP referrals. Vivienne believes in working with people at their own personal pace & hopefully, provides a forum which is comfortable, safe & non-judgemental. Vivienne is a member of the BACP, UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy) & FPC (Foundation for Psychotherapy & Counselling)
Contact: Vivienne on 020 8950 4301 or 07885059990 or galimade@btinternet.com
2) Michelle Katz:
Michelle Katz ‘s own experience of counselling had such a profound effect on her self awareness, confidence & self esteem, that she decided to undertake a training course with Relate. She followed this with a Diploma in Counselling, and after working voluntarily for 7 years, started a private practice in 2000.
Michelle works with couples & individuals, both long and short term, depending on what their difficulty is and what they would like to change. She firmly believes that counselling is a journey that she and her client(s) undertake together. Michelle sees people for relationship difficulties; anger; anxiety; lack of self esteem / worth; bereavement; stress; abuse. Michelle has written articles for the watford Free Observer and Optima and works with several EAP providers.
Michelle’s approach is integrative/eclectic, utilising a range of approaches such as Psychodynamic, CBT, NLP & systemic.Contact: Michelle on 01923 854620 or 07973 731194 or michellekatz@hotmail.co.uk
3) Mandy Langford:
Mandy Langford is a Counsellor & Hypnotherapist with 35 years experience in the caring and teaching professions including the NHS.
She offers a professional, confidential, tailor-made service to those wishing to make life changes for a brighter future, utilising a range of approaches to meet the needs of her clients and to help them achieve their goals”.
Mandy is also a trained nurse, nurse tutor and has a background in medical research exploring in a number of countries the management of diseases. In 1985 Mandy founded the UK College for Complementary Healthcare Studies designing courses to train Counsellors and Hypnotherapists leading uniquely to City and Guilds, BTEC and VTCT awards in these specialised subjects as well as a number of physical therapies such as massage and reflexology. Taking into account the need for ongoing professional development, courses were designed to offer NVQ Level 3 awards for Business Studies as well as training senior Practitioners as Clinical Supervisors, and for the NVQ Assessor and Verifier awards. Although now retired from the College, Mandy's experience in medical and paramedical fields combined with a continued interest in standards of care, ensures a safe, working environment for her clients seeking help for positive life changes.
Contact: Mandy on 020 8950 2241 or mandy_langford@hotmail.com
4) Alison Miles:
Alison Miles
Alison is an experienced counsellor, who offers counselling for individuals that provides support during times of crisis or transition. The counselling focuses on a deepening awareness for the client of their relationships, past and present. The counselling can help the client to clarify their choices and help them look at the conflicts in their lives. Alison offers long or short term counselling.
Contact: Alison on 020 8950 0434. FPC(WPF),UKCP,MBACP. Advanced Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling
5) Martyn Taylor:
Having begun his career in social services, Martyn Taylor undertook a 4 year training in Person Centred counselling. This approach means that his clients set their own agendas, and he views each session as quality time for the client to talk through and explore what is troubling them. His main areas of expertise are stress, anxiety, addiction, depression, identity and sexual identity.
Martyn who has experience in long & short term counselling says ‘you do not have to come with a ‘label’ but it helps to know what you want from counselling’.
Martyn currently works at an addiction agency & a university where he counsels students.
Contact: Martyn on 07771932639
6) Susan Woolnough:
Susan is a qualified Counsellor working in the North London/Hertfordshire area. Susan can offer both short term and long term counselling and has a special interest in working with clients with family issues such as relationship problems, parenting difficulties, redundancy, midlife crisis and domestic violence. Susan has extensive knowledge and training in alcohol and drug counselling having previously worked and trained for a number of years at the Alcohol Advice Centre (AAC) in Watford.
As well as working in private practice Susan sees clients at the Finchley Memorial Hospital and manages a team of 12 counsellors for the Herts Young Homeless Group.
Contact Susan 01923 803398 or 07941 098931
8) Andrea Savage
Andrea Savage Andrea is a qualified and registered art therapist and private supervisor. She has several years experience of working with adults and adolescents within the NHS and within Educational establishments. Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy which uses the image and image making process as the focal point of the therapy. A colour, form or mark can, for some people, express a feeling more fully than words alone. It is particularly helpful when it is hard to find words for experiences. It is also helpful for people who find talking difficult, for example, if people are shy or not very confident when they are with other people. Art Therapy can help with a number of different difficulties such as: Bereavement; Relationship difficulties; Depression; Low self esteem; Assertiveness. You don’t have to be good at art to benefit from art therapy as the focus is the meaning of the image rather than what it looks like. A session lasts for 50 mins. Art materials are provided and included in the cost of the session. Andrea offers short, mid and long term therapy. Further information about art therapy can be found at www.baat.org
Contact Andrea on 07541720653