Transform Counselling

02/04/2025

Today there was a states debate looking at the regulation of the professional practice of therapeutic counsellors. You see, at the moment, counsellor is not a protected title, anyone can call themselves a counsellor and set up in practice, and unlike psychotherapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists, we do not have to register with the Jersey Care Commission. This is problematic as it means that it is perfectly legal for someone to provide counselling when they are not qualified to do so, and for those counsellors who are qualified, but perhaps not registered with a governing body, it gives you, the public, no complaint route should you feel the counsellor has caused harm or conducted themselves in an unprofessional manner. Unfortunately, this debate failed, and so we still do not have to register, and anyone can call themselves a counsellor, qualified or not, competent, or not.
The proposition not only proposed that counsellors should have to register with the Jersey Care Commission, but that we should also be a member of a governing body. This was to again, ensure public safety, and counsellor accountability, it would have provided you a means to complain about the counsellor should you need to.
To protect yourself, you should look for a counsellor who is a member of a governing body, such as the BACP or the UKCP, as they check the qualifications of members prior to accepting them and ensure that members are insured. They also give you a route to complain, should you need to.
The minimum qualification a counsellor should hold is a level 4 diploma in counselling. For any specialist areas such as couples/relationship therapy, working with families or children, eating disorders or substance misuse, I would expect the counsellor to have either specific training or significant additional experience and training in these areas. Please do not hesitate to ask your counsellor about their qualifications, and to see their certificates. Most of us will be happy to provide them.

14/11/2024

Transform Counselling offers affordable relationship therapy to individuals, couples, and those in multi-partnered relationships.
You can attend online or visit me in my private office in St Helier.
Visit www.transform-counselling.co.uk for more information

Supporting you when you need it most.

25/07/2022

The three main reasons couples come to therapy;
1. They want to enhance their relationship, form a deeper connection, develop their relationship and grow both individually and as a couple.
2. They want to dissolve the relationship. Ending a relationship can be a difficult and complex decision, and emotions can often be intense. Decisions may need to be made regarding children and childcare, and values can be conflicting. Relationship therapy can help couples navigate this difficult time and manage resentment.
3. To make a decision. Sometimes this is whether to stay together or separate, to have a child or not, or perhaps whether or not to move country.

For more information visit www.transform-counselling.co.uk

09/07/2022

I love this quote, it captures the essence of counselling. Holding space for, and bearing witness to your grief, anger, fear, sadness anxiety, and celebrating the good stuff with you too.
To find out more, and for affordable counselling please visit www.transform-counselling.co.uk

10/06/2022

My new website is up and running! check out www.transform-counselling.co.uk

Supporting you when you need it most.

10/06/2022

Hi All,
It's been an intense few months going backwards and forwards to the UK, but it's been so interesting! (if your into this sort of thing anyway?!)
I was trying to figure out how to structure this page because I have so much to share, and everything is so interlinked. I want to make sure the content I share makes sense and is easy to digest. As ever, take what fits for you, and leave what doesn't. If you have any questions feel free to give me a message.
Relationship stages: Symbiosis, Differentiating, Practicing, Rapprochement, and synergy. Not very catchy terms are they? 😆
Couples who come for counselling are often stuck in one of these developmental stages, and unresolved issues from earlier stages can often rear up time and again. Dealing with these can help a relationship develop and grow, so you can move on from those arguments and ways of relating which aren't serving you or the relationship anymore. Its also a great model to inform individual counselling especially if you find that you have a set pattern in your relationships. E.g. they always end at a certain point or after a set period of time.

18/04/2022

23/02/2022

I had an amazing first weekend on the couples counselling course, and I can't wait for the next one! When I first considered training I wasn't sure it was the right path to take. I base a lot on gut instinct, but with this I had no clear idea or feeling of what was the right thing to do. I applied anyway, because sometimes when there is no clear path and you are paralyzed you just have to create forward movement. At best I would love it and at worst it would enhance my practice and understanding. I'm so pleased I went for it. Being there just felt right, and the fellow students and teacher are inspiring.
I now have to order all of the books....and read all of the books. With 56 titles on the reading list, I've never hoped so much for concise authors 😅

21/02/2022

Tissues and chocolate...everything you need for counselling training 😂

16/02/2022

I start my advanced diploma on Saturday and I'm very excited, and more than a little daunted. I keep getting asked why I've chosen to study couples counselling, it doesn't really fit in with my acupuncture practice, and my answer is that throughout my counselling experience, it became apparent that a huge amount of the issues that are presented, are to do with relationships, and that a big part of who we are is founded in our relationships, so it is a natural progression and one I think will bring everything together.

Did you know that humans are hard wired to connect? It is an evolutionary necessity. We’re safer in numbers and we’re safer if we’re surrounded by people who like us, and so we bond. Connection is even good for our health.

A lot of the clients that come for counselling struggle with connection.
They feel alone despite being surrounded by people.
They prefer not to spend time with others.
They don’t feel worthy of others time.
They feel unaccepted, judged or unheard.
They judge themselves for needing others and wanting others to like them (which is one I hear often, and it is completely normal to need others and to want to feel acceptance).

Counselling provides a safe connection, whereby you feel heard, understood, and not judged.

04/02/2022

I’ve been creating content for this page all week, and haven’t posted a thing. Everything I wrote about I either struggled to condense down to something short enough I thought people might actually read, or I dismissed it because there was a little voice in my head telling me it wasn’t good enough. What was I avoiding? Vulnerability. So I have my starting point.

If you haven’t seen it already, Brene Brown did a fantastic talk on vulnerability. But why am I posting about it? Because it’s essential to meaningful human connection, and so it’s essential in our relationships. We’re hardwired to bond, it’s an evolutionary thing, and vulnerability is integral in creating secure bonds.
This is problematic for a lot of people. Many of us have been shamed for being us, bullied as children, belittled by caregivers, and this teaches people to feel unacceptable for being who they truly are, their authentic selves. Vulnerability, putting your authentic selves out there, and being greeted with acceptance and empathy is the first step in the healing process. This can be done in therapy, and with people you trust. Discernment and baby steps are key.

28/01/2022

Not sure if counselling is for you? Most of the time clients come for counselling when something has happened in their lives, and they've reached breaking point, or can no longer cope. Whether its the loss of a loved one, chronic anxiety, or the breakdown of a relationship. Counselling can be a fantastic tool to help you understand yourself and your situation better, provide support through difficult times, and to help you gain insight into the patterns in your life. Some people come to counselling simply because they want a deeper understanding of themselves, their loved ones and to gain back control of their lives.
For more information visit www.transformacupuncture.co.uk