Alison Paul Counselling
Welcome
A very warm welcome to my site.....
Starting counselling can be a very daunting and scary prospect. There are many different types of counselling to choose from and it might feel overwhelming knowing where to begin and which counsellor to choose.
I believe the most important factor in an effective counselling outcome comes down to the therapeutic relationship.
I am a warm, open and friendly counsellor, who is professional and qualified. I will support you and guide you to help you to reach your full potential and goals.
Perhaps you are struggling with feelings of stress or anxiety, you may be feeling stuck or confused and overwhelmed. You may be experiencing grief or depression or struggling with your relationships.
We all need help and support from time to time, counselling can help you to increase your self awareness and see things differently. I can help you on your journey.
My Approach
I use the person centred approach with adults. This basically means that the counselling which I offer is non-directive and I believe that you are able to seek out your own solutions and own goals for your life. Person centred therapy requires you as the client to ‘take the reins’ in each counselling session and I am there as your counsellor to guide you and be your source of support. I may ask specific questions, use reflection and sometimes challenge you to help you to become more self aware. I will offer you a non-judgemental and empathic space where we can work together to explore your thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
‘The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change’
Carl Rogers
Counselling Children and Young People
I can work with children and young people who present with many issues around worries and fears, anxiety, separation and loss, domestic abuse, bereavement and other concerns.
I always give a child or young person the choices around what they want to talk about.
I use a pro-active approach using a variety of strategies to help a young person to open up in counselling, including using creative and symbolic strategies this might include using drawing or painting, writing, games, stones, shells or a sand tray amongst many other activities.
If a child or young person just wants to talk and be heard then this is okay too.
About me
I am trained as both an adult and child/young person's (CYP) counsellor. I have a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling and I have also completed a Level 5 Counselling Certificate in Children and Young People's Counselling.
I currently work in a counselling centre in Altrincham. I previously worked at an organisation in Merseyside where I worked as a peripatetic counsellor and visited schools to deliver counselling sessions to both primary and secondary age young people. I have also worked for a charity providing counselling for women who have experienced many mental health issues, but mostly working with survivors of domestic abuse in this setting.
Prior to my work in counselling I worked in education for many years as a secondary school teacher. I also have other experience in pastoral support, education welfare, learning support in further education and as a 1 to 1 tutor for young people.
My main passion in life is to support others, which is why I love being a counsellor.
I am fully qualified, fully insured, ICO registered and hold an enhanced DBS certificate. I am also a registered member of the BACP.
Contact me
You can contact me by phone on 07564866104 or by email on alisonpaul.counselling@outlook.com.
I have sessions available for face to face counselling in Hale/Altrincham. I can be flexible with my availability so please get in touch.
We will have an initial telephone conversation to see why you want to access counselling at this point in your life and to see if we will be a good fit to work together. If so, we can then book in the first 50 minute session.
Each session costs £55.00
Privacy Policy
Alison Paul Counselling understands that your privacy is important to you and that you care about how your personal data is kept and used. I respect and value the privacy of all of my clients and will only collect and use personal data in ways that are described here, and in a way that is consistent with my obligations and your rights under the law.
1. Information about me
Alison Paul Counselling
Email address: alisonpaul.counselling@outlook.com
Telephone number: 07564 866104
I am a registered member of the BACP, British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy
I am registered with the ICO, reference no: ZB327147.
2. What Does This Notice Cover?
This Privacy Information explains how I use your personal data: how it is collected, how it is held, and how it is processed. It also explains your rights under the law relating to your personal data.
3. What is Personal Data?
Personal data is defined by the General Data Protection Regulation (EU Regulation 2016/679) (the “GDPR”) as ‘any information relating to an identifiable person who can be directly or indirectly identified in particular by reference to an identifier’.
Personal data is, in simpler terms, any information about you that enables you to be identified. Personal data covers obvious information such as your name and contact details, but it also covers less obvious information such as identification numbers, electronic location data, and other online identifiers.
4. What Are My Rights?
Under the GDPR, you have the following rights, which I will always work to uphold:
a) The right to be informed about my collection and use of your personal data. This Privacy Notice should tell you everything you need to know, but you can always contact me to find out more.
b) The right to access the personal data I hold about you.
c) The right to have your personal data rectified if any of your personal data held by me is inaccurate or incomplete.
d) The right to be forgotten, i.e. the right to ask me to delete or otherwise dispose of any of your personal data that I have.
e) The right to restrict (i.e. prevent) the processing of your personal data.
f) The right to object to me using your personal data for particular purposes.
g) The right to data portability. This means that, if you have provided personal data to me directly, I am using it with your consent or for the performance of a contract, and that data is processed using automated means, you can ask me for a copy of that personal data to re-use with another service or business in many cases.
h) Rights relating to automated decision-making and profiling. I do not use your personal data in this way
For more information about my use of your personal data or exercising your rights as outlined above, please contact me. Further information about your rights can also be obtained from the Information Commissioner’s Office or your local Citizens Advice Bureau. If you have any cause for complaint about my use of your personal data, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office.
5. What Personal Data Do You Collect?
I may collect some or all of the following personal data (this may vary according to your relationship with me:
· Name
· Date of birth
· Gender
· Address
· Email address
· Telephone number
· GP details
· Information about why you want to access counselling and your personal life
6. How Do You Use My Personal Data?
Under the GDPR, I must always have a lawful basis for using personal data. This may be because the data is necessary for my performance of a contract with you, because you have consented to my use of your personal data, or because it is in my legitimate business interests to use it. Your personal data may be used for one of the following purposes:
· Supplying my services to you. Your personal details are required in order for me to enter into a contract with you.
· Communicating with you. This may include responding to emails or calls from you.
7. How Long Will You Keep My Personal Data?
I will not keep your personal data for any longer than is necessary in light of the reason(s) for which it was first collected. Your personal data will therefore be kept for the following periods:
· 7 years, after which time your files and any documents relating to you will be electronically deleted permanently or shredded
8. How and Where Do You Store or Transfer My Personal Data?
I will only store or transfer your personal data in the UK. This means that it will be fully protected under the GDPR.
9. Do You Share My Personal Data?
I will not share any of your personal data with any third parties for any purposes, subject to one important exception.
In some limited circumstances, I may be legally required to share certain personal data, which might include yours, if I am involved in legal proceedings or complying with legal obligations, a court order, or the instructions of a government authority.
If any of your personal data is required by a third party, as described above, I will take steps to ensure that your personal data is handled safely, securely, and in accordance with your rights.
10. How Can I Access My Personal Data?
If you want to know what personal data I have about you, you can ask me for details of that personal data and for a copy of it (where any such personal data is held). This is known as a “subject access request”.
All subject access requests should be made in writing and sent to the email address above.
There is not normally any charge for a subject access request. If your request is ‘manifestly unfounded or excessive’ (for example, if you make repetitive requests) a fee may be charged to cover my administrative costs in responding.
I will respond to your subject access request within 28 days and, in any case, not more than one month of receiving it. Normally, I aim to provide a complete response, including a copy of your personal data within that time. In some cases, however, particularly if your request is more complex, more time may be required up to a maximum of three months from the date I receive your request. You will be kept fully informed of my progress.
11. How Do I Contact You?
To contact me about anything to do with your personal data and data protection, including to make a subject access request, please use the following details Mrs Alison Paul:
Email address: alisonpaul.counselling@outlook.com
Telephone number: 07564 866104
12. Changes to this Privacy Notice
I may change this Privacy Notice from time to time. This may be necessary, for example, if the law changes, or if I change my business in a way that affects personal data protection.
Any changes will be made available to you in writing as soon as they are implemented.