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Counselling with Canine Assisted Therapy Exeter
Queensgate House 48 Queen Steet
EX4 3SR Exeter |
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Leave a message and I will contact you as soon as possible.
Tracey | Counsellor with Canine Assisted Therapy
Counselling with Canine Assisted Therapy Exeter
Does life feel like a struggle? Maybe you need some help with coming to terms with something that’s happened. If you're struggling with anxiety, depression and/or the effects of traumatic or difficult life events, I can help you to find a positive way forward.
I offer a reassuring, steady space so you can feel safe to find relief and clarity. Let me and my therapy dog (Merlin) help. Things can feel different with the right support and a calm dog nearby.
I provide a calm, safe environment where you can talk things through confidentially at your own pace, and without fear of judgement. I also offer understanding and informed support to neurodivergent clients, who may be looking for help to make sense of things.
What do I do?
As a skilled integrative counsellor, I work hard to understand your unique needs and goals. This allows me to tailor my approach, working calmly and compassionately at a comfortable pace to encourage you to explore your issues safely. If you’re uncertain or nervous, I have the added benefit of Merlin, my therapy dog; he’s always on hand to provide gentle reassurance, especially for more difficult times.Who am I?
My former professional background in the military means that I bring my extensive experience of coping and resilience, which combines with my natural warmth, empathy and calm logic. I have experience working with students and young people (12+), having worked in a University Counselling Service and a Young Persons' charity. I have also worked in a centre which offers support to victims of domestic abuse and individuals struggling with the effects of trauma. I am skilled in working compassionately and patiently with anxiety, stress, abuse and trauma in particular.
What I offer
I offer online or in-person counselling, with locations in Exeter (near Central Station) and Crediton High Street. Merlin will be available in both in-person locations. If you’re looking for support from a skilled professional with a kind and calming approach (and a dog!), then message me via the send a message - button - no obligations, but just to see if I could be the right fit for what you need.What about Merlin, the labrador?
What is canine assisted therapy and how can it help me?
It's nothing more complicated than Merlin being present in counselling sessions. He loves people, and will be as involved or laid-back as you need him to be. He'll probably greet you with a toy and settle into his bed as we begin talking. You can sit with him on the floor, next to him on a chair... the choice is yours. His presence just makes things... well, easier.
What are the benefits of canine assisted therapy?
It can:
- help to alleviate anxiety and depression
- lower stress levels
- help to release oxytocin into the body, which has a calming effect on the nervous system
- benefit both adults and children
- help to regulate neurodivergent children and adults.
He's the perfect companion and therapy assistant.
Online therapy
Online therapy is a great resource for those who can't come to me in person. I use Google Meet or DoxyMe for secure sessions.All you need is a way to get online, and a private space where you can be sure you're not overheard (this ensures you're able to speak as freely as possible).
Qualifications and registrations
Training and Education: My counselling skills are underpinned by my academic background in psychology; this really helps me build an early positive relationship with you, which I see as hugely beneficial to your progress.
Prior experience: I have worked as a counsellor in a number of organisations prior to setting up in private practice:
- The University of Exeter Wellbeing Centre, providing short-term counselling sessions for students who were experiencing a wide-range of issues.
- The Safe Foundation Exeter, specialising in providing support for individuals who've experienced trauma and domestic abuse.
- Young Devon, counselling with children and young people age 12 and above.
My Key Qualifications:
- Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling from Iron Mill College, Exeter.
- MSc Health Psychology
- Certificate in Counselling
- Postgraduate Conversion Diploma in Psychology
- Diploma in Animal Assisted Therapy
Professional Memberships:
- MBACP (Member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists)
- MNCPS Acc. (Accredited Registered Member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society).
Pets As Therapy: Merlin, my 8 year old Labrador, is a registered Pets As Therapy (PAT) dog, which means he has been assessed as having a suitable temperament to work as a visitor to schools, care homes and hospitals etc. as part of the PAT charity (though PAT has no links to my practice). As such, he makes an ideal assistant to me in therapy sessions and is covered by my professional insurance.
Registrations
- BACP - The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
- NCPS - the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society
I offer therapy in
Specialisations
- 1. anxiety
- 2. abuse
- 3. stress
- 4. depression
- 5. burnout
- 6. neurodivergence
- 7. depression
- 8. Armed Forces and Veterans
- 9. Emergency Services
Most common issues I support people with:
- ANXIETY & STRESS - I work to understand the causes with you and provide you with tools to help take control of your life again.
- ABUSE - I have experience working with many clients to gently explore your experiences at a pace that you feel comfortable with.
- TRAUMA - we can look at what happened to you in your past, with the goal of relieving the trauma that you feel in the present.
- NEURODIVERGENCE - I run a neuroaffirmative practice and welcome neurodivergent clients who may be looking to make sense of their diagnosis or to make sense of their world, for example.
Therapies offered
- ✓ Affordable counselling
- ✓ Attachment-based therapy
- ✓ Cognitive behavioural therapy
- ✓ Counselling
- ✓ Gestalttherapy
- ✓ Humanistic therapies
- ✓ Integrative Counselling
- ✓ Mindfulness
- ✓ Online counselling
- ✓ Person-centred therapy
- ✓ REWIND Technique
- ✓ Sand Tray Therapy
- ✓ Solution focused therapy
- ✓ Teenage counselling
- ✓ Transactional Analysis
- ✓ Trauma therapy
- ✓ Youth counselling
- ✓ Zoom counselling
Areas of counselling I can help with
- ✓ Abortion
- ✓ Abuse
- ✓ Anger management
- ✓ Anxiety
- ✓ Attachment disorder
- ✓ Being a perfectionist
- ✓ Being assertive
- ✓ Bereavement, grief, loss
- ✓ Bullying
- ✓ Burnout
- ✓ Childhood emotional neglect (CEN)
- ✓ Communication
- ✓ Self confidence
- ✓ Covid-19 Anxiety
- ✓ Depression
- ✓ Family problems
- ✓ Fear
- ✓ Feeling lonely
- ✓ Feeling sad
- ✓ Hyperventilation
- ✓ Insecurity
- ✓ Jealousy
- ✓ Low self esteem
- ✓ Obsessive compulsive disorder
- ✓ Panic attack
- ✓ Panic disorder
- ✓ Performance anxiety
- ✓ Phobia
- ✓ Post-traumatic stress disorder
- ✓ Redundancy
- ✓ Relationship issues
- ✓ Retirement
- ✓ Self-harm
- ✓ Setting boundaries
- ✓ Stress
- ✓ Trauma
- ✓ Workplace stress
- ✓ Worrying too much
Fees
My fee is £60 for a 50 minute session.- I offer reduced rates of £40 for a 50 minute session for individuals on low income or students in full-time education.
Availability (Opening hours)
| Monday | 0830-1700 |
| Tuesday | 0800-1700 |
| Wednesday | 0830-1600 |
| Thursday | 0830-1800 |
| Friday | - |
| Saturday | - |
| Sunday | - |
Photos
Contact me
Do you want to make an appointment or do you have a question?Send a message
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Leave a message and I will contact you as soon as possible.
- ✓ 250+ Counsellors
- ✓ In the UK
- ✓ Face-to-face & Online