About Marina

 Person-Centred Counsellor

 I am a qualified Person-Centred Counsellor and registered member of the BACP.  I have a specialist counselling diploma in working with Children and Young People and a BA (Hons) degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy.  I have over 20 years’ experience supporting young people in a large secondary school as an Educational Communication Support Worker (ECSW). I also speak BSL  and view myself as being very 'deaf aware'. I have also worked as a counsellor for a large counselling agency/charity for 3 years, alongside my role as Schools Counsellor for 18 months. 

I offer individual counselling within my private practice with young people from the age of 8 upwards and adults of any age. I am a warm, friendly, Person-Centred therapist. I want to make a genuine connection with you, so you feel heard and understood and can feel supported in whatever you choose to share with me. I will offer you respect, and care about your thoughts and emotions.

I hold an enhanced DBS Certificate, professional indemnity insurance and ICO registration.  I comply with the BACP Ethical Framework and as such, have regular clinical supervision of the work that I do and a commitment to undertaking regular professional development.   

• Level 2 diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy in Children and Young People: Anglia Ruskin University.
• Level 3 diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy in Children and Young People: Anglia Ruskin University.
• Certificate in Counselling Skills at Anglia Ruskin University.
• Level 4 in Counselling and Psychotherapy in Children and Young People: Anglia Ruskin University.
• Level 5 in Counselling and Psychotherapy in Children and Young People: Anglia Ruskin University.
• DipHE in Counselling (Children and Young People) at Anglia Ruskin University
• BA (HONS) Level 6 in Counselling and Psychotherapy at Anglia Ruskin University
• Level  3 British Sign Language
• Communication Support Worker Diploma 

 Person-Centred Counsellor

My experience working with mainstream young people gave me a good insight of how young people can struggle in todays world. My current role as a school counsellor for students with moderate and severe learning difficulties has given me an insight to the potential that we all have within.  I also have extensive experience in working with young people whose neurodivergence such as ADHD, ADD and Autism has impacted how they are understood by others. 

 Men can also struggle with how they feel. Being a male counsellor has perhaps encouraged more men to access counselling support. Reaching out to a counsellor can be a really positive step to help mens mental health.  It’s not a sign of weakness to do so. It’s a strength.

I am also Director for Inner Resources Ltd, which provides high-level support for vulnerable adults, and young people who have social, behavioural and mental health difficulties. I also support the families of vulnerable people, especially in times of crisis and I am experienced in working with their extended professional network.

The counselling I provide creates a safe, empathic environment and sensitive space for a person to explore and resolve personal difficulties and limitations they may be experiencing, and to move beyond them. It can also help to enhance your relationship/connection with yourself and others.

The Person Centred approach ensures that you remain empowered and that you choose the direction and pace during the therapeutic process. Your best interest is always held as the highest priority alongside fully respecting your right to confidentiality.

• BACP Certificate of Proficiency
• QCF Diploma Level 3 NVQ Health and social care for children and young people
• CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
• CPCAB Level 3 Diploma in Counselling Studies
• NCFE Level 2 Counselling
• AQA Introduction to Counselling

Continual Professional Development:

• Drug & Alcohol Awareness Diploma
• Addiction Workshop - What it is and how to work with it
• NFPS Advanced Level Physical Intervention Trainer
• NFPS Level 3 Conflict Management
• Safeguarding Adults
• Child Protection Level 3
• Child Protection Awareness

 Integrative Counsellor

My professional and personal experience with neurodivergent children and young people has given me an insight of how challenging school life, relationships and personal development can be for some children. 

I offer integrative counselling to secondary school children and adults who may or may to be neurodivergent.

Alongside this I have experience as a secondary school counsellor supporting some of the complex issues that our young people experience today such as: anxiety, self-harm, friendship issues, suicidal ideation, identity, trauma and loss. 

I also have experience with domestic/emotional abuse, family court, lone parenting, family addiction, bereavement including pet loss when I worked as a counsellor for a drug and alcohol service and a local Southend low cost counselling service. 

• Introduction to counselling.
• Level 2 counselling.
• Level 3 counselling.
• BA (Hons) degree in counselling.

MBACP (Accred) Person-Centred Counsellor

My experience in secondary schools working with children and young people, firstly as a special needs TA, then Schools Counsellor has given me an understanding of how challenging life can be for our children. Often parents/carers find themselves feeling helpless as they see their child experience anxiety, low self esteem, self harm, isolation, suicidal ideation... 

I have been a practicing counsellor for children, young people and adults in schools, agency settings and in private practice for over 6 years.  In addition I have extensive experience of counselling adults referred to me via Essex County Council. I also have experience in counselling looked after children alongside fostering agencies and schools. 

My specialist qualification is in children and young people and I am an accredited member of the BACP demonstrating a higher standard of  competence and experience as an ethical and independent practitioner. 

• Level 2 diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy in Children and Young People: Anglia Ruskin University.
• Level 3 diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy in Children and Young People: Anglia Ruskin University.
• Certificate in Counselling Skills at Anglia Ruskin University.
• Level 4 in Counselling and Psychotherapy in Children and Young People: Anglia Ruskin University.
• Level 5 in Counselling and Psychotherapy in Children and Young People: Anglia Ruskin University.
• DipHE in Counselling (Children and Young People) at Anglia Ruskin University
• Certificate in online and telephone counselling. 
• BACP Accreditation. 
• BA (HONS) Level 6 in Counselling and Psychotherapy at Anglia Ruskin University

Qualification covers:

Counselling person-centred practice including creative and play therapy for children and young people.

Person-centred skills for counselling for children and young people.

Person-centred theory for counselling for children and young people.

Understanding psychosocial development in children and young people.

Historical perspectives in children and young people.

Contemporary perspectives in children and young people.

Understanding psychopathology in children, young people and adults.

Understanding difference and diversity in children, young people and adults. 

Understanding the differences and ethical considerations between online and face to face counselling sessions. 

British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) accreditation demonstrating a higher level of experience, practice and qualification for children, young people and adults.  

BA (Hons): digital media in therapy, person centred theory, diversity in adult counselling, research methodology and design in counselling and psychotherapy and Undergraduate Major Project- The impact of interruptions on online video therapy. 

I am an accredited registered memberof the BACP, British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists. 

MBACP (Accred)  CBT Therapist

I work primarily as a Person-Centred and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy practitioner, however, I am also qualified in Transactional Analysis and Motivational Interviewing. We can incorporate any of these into therapy if we both agree it would benefit you.

I have worked as a counsellor at Mind, mainly with adults who are suffering from a range of mental health issues and disorders, such as depression, anxiety, bi-polar and personality disorders. I have worked within primary schools in the Essex area and for the NHS, under the Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Service (EWMHS) department. This counselling role supported children 4 - 18 years old, who were experiencing emotional and mental health issues, such as: anxiety, low mood, suicidal ideation, emotional issues, experiences of trauma and phobias.  I also work for companies and agencies providing counselling support for staff members who are experiencing issues such as bereavement, work related injury, stress, and anxiety.

Alongside my private practice my current role is with the NHS ARMS team (at risk mental state team) working with young people and adults. ARMS aim is to help prevent or delay the development of a first episode of psychosis. 

• BA (Hons): Counselling
• Practitioners Diploma: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Post Graduate Certificate: Children and Young Person Improving Access to Psychological Therapies - Enhanced Evidence Based Practice in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• BACP Accrediation 

           Continual Professional Development

• Group Facilitation Skills
• Narrative Exposure Therapy - Trauma/PTSD work
• Trauma focused training (CBT)
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (CBT)

I am an accredited registered member of the BACP, British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists. 

 Integrative Counsellor 

 I am a fully qualified and insured counsellor. I trained intergratively, which means I use a range of different theories and modalities to support my clients depending on what you need. It might be that you want to look at events from your past that you feel are holding you back or it might be that you want to concentrate on what is going on for you in the here and now, we can do either or both. 

My approach to working with clients is holistic, taking into account the mind, body and soul. Whilst working together I am also able to offer you therapeutic tools to help support you outside of the counselling room, if you feel that would be helpful.  

I have worked with many people in an educational setting and at a counselling charity with a wide range of issues, some of these have included depression, anxiety, bereavement, addiction, OCD and relationship problems. I fully appreciate how difficult it can be to talk about things, with this in mind, I offer a supportive and non-judgemental space so that clients feel safe in expressing themselves and what is going on for them. 

Level 3 Diploma in Hypnotherapy and Counselling Skills 

Level 4 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling 

Level 4 Advance Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling 

Level 5 Advanced Professional Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling 

Applied EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) Level 2 Practitioners Course 

Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling 

Continuous Professional Development training includes:

Working with Parts and Trauma 

6 Week Trauma Healing with Body Awareness 

Level 2 Safeguarding 

Mental Health First Aid

Impact of Domestic Violence 

Treating intrusive thoughts and the Inner Critical Voice 

Working with risk and suicide

Making Sense of Autism.  

I am an accredited member of the NCS (National Counselling Society) Membership Number: NCS14-01027

 Person-Centred Counsellor

I specialise in working with children and young people, offering play and art therapy to support the client in exploring their thoughts and feelings. As a person-centred counsellor, I work with what the client brings to each session. I offer a safe space where the client can be themselves, providing support and understanding of their experiences.   

 Experience 

 Over the last 2 and a half years, I have worked in both a counselling centre and school setting, with primary and secondary school age children. I have experience of working with young people who identify as being within the LGBTQ+ community and children within the care system. During the pandemic, I worked for a charity supporting single parents, where I offered telephone and email support. I currently work for a large mental health charity that supports 18-25 year olds with their wellbeing, alongside my private practice and counselling centre clients.  

• Level 2 diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy in Children and Young People: Anglia Ruskin University.
• Level 3 diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy in Children and Young People: Anglia Ruskin University.
• Certificate in Counselling Skills at Anglia Ruskin University.
• Level 4 in Counselling and Psychotherapy in Children and Young People: Anglia Ruskin University.
• Level 5 in Counselling and Psychotherapy in Children and Young People: Anglia Ruskin University.
• DipHE in Counselling (Children and Young People) at Anglia Ruskin University
• BA (HONS) Counselling and Psychotherapy at Anglia Ruskin University

I am registered with the BACP

I offer you time and a safe space where I will listen without judgement to what ever it is that has brought you to counselling. 

As an Integrative Counsellor, I am able to adapt my way of working to ensure that you have the supportive space you need to explore what you're finding difficult and why that might be the case. For example, do you prefer gentle questions or is being challenged more your thing? Either way, "you're in the driving seat" as we work together to address your needs.

Having worked as part of a local NHS Hospital Based Counselling Service since 2017, I've had the privilege of working with lots of different people and issues when either patients or family members have been impacted by life altering or life limiting illnesses. I have also been involved in setting up and facilitating an Anxiety Management Group in this setting.

I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and am passionate about working both professionally and ethically and within this organisation's published Ethical Framework. All of my certificates, membership information and the Ethical Framework referred to above are available to view during our sessions.

I have also been a volunteer for the Stroke Association, since 2016.

Prior to training as a Counsellor, I spent 14 years working in the Professional Services industry in Central London, first as an International Human Resources Consultant then as a Manager so understand the impact that stress (work related and other), anxiety and other mental health issues can have in the workplace.

Qualifications

·  MHFA England Mental Health First Aider; MHFA England

·  CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling; The Counsel House, Wickford

·  CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies; The Counsel House, Wickford

·  CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills; The Counsel House, Wickford

·  AQA Level 2 Introduction to Counselling Concepts; The Counsel House, Wickford

·  BSc (ECONOMICS) Accounting & Finance; The London School of Economics and Political Science, London

I am a registered member of the BACP, British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists. They are an ethical body in place to protect my clients and myself.