Calm and compassionate counselling in times of challenge, change or crisis.
Training
University trained Accredited Counsellor and Psychotherapist.
Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy (CBT) - University of South Wales Post-Graduate training course.
Relate trained Relationship Counsellor - A national organisation providing relationship therapy.
Therapeutic training in Person-Centred Counselling - Network Counselling, Bristol.
Certified ADHD Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP) - Evergreen Certifications, USA.
Outdoor ‘Walk and Talk’ Counselling for those who enjoy being outdoors or find talking whilst walking an easier or more helpful therapeutic experience.
Diploma in Online Counselling - Therapy via Email and Instant Messaging (Text-chat), for clients who would prefer this counselling approach as an alternative to my Face-to-Face, Phone or Webcam service.
Parenting Support, trained in Conscious Parenting Techniques - Heart 2 Heart Parents Coaching, USA.
I draw on these different training approaches to provide the right form of therapy for each individual, rather than assuming that one counselling method will work for all.
Certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor
Coaching courses in Stress Management and Health and Wellbeing Coaching -Centre for Coaching, London.
I deliver Lectures and Training Courses in a university, schools, the armed forces and to groups of counsellors. These topics vary from mental health awareness training, self-harm and the safe management of individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts.
Simon’s contribution to public health has been acknowledged and he is a Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH). The RSPH is the longest-established public health body in the world, dedicated to improving and protecting the health of the public, both in the UK and around the world.
Qualifications
Post-Graduate Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy – University of South Wales
Certificate in Person-Centred Counselling (Pastoral Counselling Skills) – Network Counselling, Bristol - validated by the University of Gloucestershire
Relate Certificate in Relational Counselling - Relate Counselling
Diploma in Online Counselling - Online Counselling Services & Training (ACTO Level 2 registered course)
ADHD Certified Clinical Services Provider - Evergreen Certifications (USA)
Certificate in Stress Management and Health and Wellbeing Coaching – Centre for Coaching, London
Conscious Parenting Coach and Group Training Provider - Trained by Laura Lyles-Reagan, Heart to Heart Parenting (USA)
‘Pregnancy and Infant Loss’ and ‘Subsequent Pregnancies After Loss’ Accredited Practitioner - Foundation for Infant Loss Training
TEAM-CBT (Level 3) Advanced TEAM-CBT Therapist - Feeling Good Institute (USA)
First Aid for Mental Health Supervising Instructor (Level 1, 2 and 3) - Nuco Training Ltd
Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor – Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England
Trauma Risk Management (TRiM) Team Leader and Assessor - Royal Navy and RNLI
Safeguarding Supervision Training - Safeguarding Network
Level 3 Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults training
NQF Level 7 in Leadership and Management - Professional Recognition Award (MCGI) - City and Guilds Institute, London
BA (Hons) in Theological Studies – University of Bristol
Diploma of Higher Education in Nursing Studies – University of the West of England
Ethical and Safe Practice
My therapeutic work is guided by and aligned with my core values of Integrity and Compassion.
As an Accredited Counsellor, listed on two registers that have been accredited by the Professional Standards Authority, I work within the Association of Christians in Counselling (ACC) ‘Code of Ethics and Practice’, the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society’s (NCPS) ‘Code of Ethics’ and the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies’ (BABCP) ‘Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics’.
I am firmly committed to providing a counselling practice which is anti-discriminatory. I welcome enquiries from clients of any age, relationship status, sex, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief or cultural background. I have been trained to deliver online therapy, enabling clients with limited mobility to have easier access to counselling. Avon CBT & Psychotherapy is registered with the UK Government’s Disability Confident Employers scheme and has achieved Level 2 status.
I am fully insured and vetted to an Enhanced Level by the Disclosure and Barring Service.
My practice is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). To learn how your information is managed, click this link: Privacy Notice.
I have benefitted myself from therapy and genuinely believe that it can help us to overcome difficulties which have persisted for years. My aim is to make this experience possible for others, as I support individuals and couples facing a wide variety of issues.
Testimonials
Business Awards: 2024 Mental Health Awards Winner: “The Community Mental Health Initiative award goes to Avon CBT and Psychotherapy for their impactful mental health support and coaching. Their dedication extends beyond individual therapy, including suicide prevention education and community mental health awareness initiatives.” UK Business Awards 2024
“Simon has been extremely helpful and professional, helping me to feel at ease, encouraging me to open up about my fears and anxiety and enabling me to face my anxiety and explore my thoughts around panic. He was recommended to me by a colleague and exceeded all my expectations.” LT
“CBT completely changed my relationship with the fear of vomit [Emetophobia]. I guess the whole thing was a bit like rewiring my brain, and I really didn’t expect it to work! But it did. We did a range of activities, none of which I expected to enjoy – but Simon helped me understand it as a process. Simon was kind and thoughtful, he found ways to relate to me and I never felt judged.” OD
“Simon provided an environment where I could gradually feel safer to express all my emotions and talk about incredibly difficult and painful things, and then come to the realisation that I could and needed to be able to do this. His warmth, kindness, empathy and non-judgemental approach gave me the conditions I needed to be able to explore so many areas of my life and go to depths I wasn’t expecting to when I began therapy.” LI
“Simon offers a caring and positive approach to counselling. His ability to listen, understand the heart of what I said and then carefully re-articulate my words was really appreciated. His forward-thinking manner offered hope and helpful practical steps forward.” BT
“Simon has a warm and non-judgmental approach to CBT and always demonstrates patience and compassion throughout the journey. I have been amazed by how far I have come with his support.” CD
“I am much more confident in my ability as a parent and I’m enjoying spending time - much more than previously - with my child; my relationship with my husband has improved - both as a result of the depression and anxiety going but also because therapy has helped me explore where the issues with these relationships really lay and helped me find ways to manage difficulties.” LI
“CBT with Simon helped me to learn and utilise strategies to manage my reactions to various situations and "triggers". I also learnt to recognise my disordered and negative thinking patterns, using CBT to change these destructive and incorrect thought processes into more positive ones.” CN
“I didnt know what to expect as I hadn’t really had counselling / coaching before but Simon took the time to listen to me and made me feel really relaxed. The space we were talking in was a safe space where I could be open and honest. During our 4 sessions together, Simon provided me with lots of new and different ways of thinking about dealing with situations that I may find myself in. I really enjoyed our sessions and can’t thank Simon enough.” GS
“Simon has helped me to delve into my past, enabling me to understand current behaviours, habits, feelings, insecurities and to develop processes to soothe, resolve or live with these in the present day. This has resulted in me learning to understand and communicate with my wife, both to meet my needs but also appreciate her perspective and what she may be feeling.” SI