Counselling
I work from a person centred model, which means that I use my whole being to interact with the whole of your being. Read more.....
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP's)
Employee Assistance Programmes are becoming increasingly popular as a way of offering support through work. Read more.....
FAQ's
Counselling is a special kind of relationship between the therapist and the client. Read more......
About Valerie Shipp BSc, BA, MBACP (Accred.)
Introduction
I live with my partner in north Cumbria close to the Lake District National Park. In my spare time I enjoy being outdoors; sailing, mountain walking, canoeing and cycling. These activities help me switch off and keep me healthy in body, mind and spirit. We are fortunate to live near beautiful natural places which we enjoy at every opportunity. Connecting with nature is a necessary part of my spiritual life and practice; my work as a counsellor and healer is continually renewed by time spend in the mountains or on the sea.
Training History
| 1997 | Diploma in Person Centred Counselling with University College of St Martins, Lancaster | |
| 1998 | BA (Hons) in Psychology with the Open University | |
| 1996-1998 | Second Aid Spiritual Psychotherapy Training |
Workshops and further training
| 1986 | Training with The Samaritans | |
| 1995-1997 | Working with sexually abused children with special needs; Working with the shadow; Sexuality; Couples Counselling; Creative and Play Therapy; Jungian symbolism and spirituality |
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| 2005 | Express Your Spirit; spiritual workshop facilitators’ training | |
| 2006-2007 | The Transpersonal Self; advanced empathy in the counselling room | |
| 2007 | El Silencio; week long Core Process workshop with body work, meditation and energy work |
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| 2007-2008 | Certificate in Person Centred Supervision |
Accreditation and membership of professional bodies
MBACP (ACCRED)
As an accredited counsellor with the BACP I have met the standards for training, experience and ongoing professional and personal development that the BACP requires for this designation. I am also bound by the BACP’s Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy, and am subject to its Professional Conduct Procedure.
Full member of Person Centred Therapy (Scotland)
Professional Counselling Experience
| 1996-1997 | I worked as a volunteer with The Samaritans, starting in their Peterborough branch and moving to Dumfries in 1990. Initially I took telephone calls in the evenings, at weekends and overnight once a month. Latterly I also acted as a supervisor to less experienced volunteers, providing support and back up when needed. | |
| 1997-1998 | Dumfries & Galloway Community Health Trust, Department of Psychological Services, working as a trainee counsellor as part of my placement for the counselling diploma. | |
| 1998 | I started working part time in my own counselling practice alongside my ‘day job’. Counselling has now grown into a full time practice with clinics in Dumfries, Carlisle and Glasgow city centre. | |
| 2007 | I also offer supervision and mentoring to fellow counsellors and other related professionals, and am working towards becoming an accredited supervisor with the BACP. |