About me – Ceri Phillips
A warm, down-to-earth approach to counselling
Finding the right counsellor can feel daunting. You may be considering counselling for the first time, returning to therapy after some time away, or simply know that something in your life needs to change.
Whatever has brought you here, I believe one of the most important parts of counselling is finding someone you feel comfortable enough to be yourself with.
I’m Ceri, an experienced Integrative Psychotherapeutic Counsellor and Clinical Supervisor based in Aylesbury. I qualified as a counsellor in 2007 and have worked with people experiencing a wide range of difficulties and life circumstances ever since.
My approach
My approach is warm, compassionate and down-to-earth. I offer a confidential, non-judgemental space where you can talk openly about whatever is troubling you, without feeling that you need to have the right words or know where to begin.
Although counselling can involve talking about painful and difficult experiences, I don’t believe every moment of therapy needs to feel heavy. There can be warmth, humour and moments of lightness within our work too.
How I work
Being an integrative counsellor means I am trained in a number of therapeutic approaches rather than working in one particular way.
For me, that matters because people are individuals. What is helpful for one person may not feel right for another, so I adapt the way I work according to you, what you are experiencing and what you hope to gain from counselling.
Sometimes our work may involve understanding how experiences from the past continue to affect you today. At other times, the focus may be very much on what is happening in your life now. There is no set formula and no expectation that you should work at anybody else’s pace.
My role isn’t to judge you or tell you how you should live your life. Instead, we can work together to understand what is happening for you, recognise patterns that may be keeping you stuck and explore what you might want to be different.
My space
My practice is conveniently located close to Aylesbury town centre, with free parking available on site.
My experience
I qualified as a counsellor in 2007 and spent ten years working for a large local counselling organisation. As Counselling Co-ordinator, I supported volunteer counsellors, provided counselling myself and helped oversee counselling provision across the Aylesbury Vale area.
I now work in private practice with adults aged 18 and over, offering both short and longer-term counselling depending on individual needs.
Over the years I have worked with people experiencing many different difficulties, including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, bereavement, stress, bullying, self-harm and issues relating to substance misuse.
I welcome clients from all backgrounds and identities. You don’t need to edit parts of yourself to make them acceptable in the counselling room.
Qualifications and professional standards
- Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Supervision – CPCAB
- Postgraduate Advanced Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling – CPCAB
- Diploma in Humanistic Therapeutic Counselling – CPCAB
- BACP Certificate of Proficiency
- Certificate of Counselling Studies – CPCAB
- Certificate of Counselling Skills – CPCAB
I undertake regular continuing professional development to keep my knowledge and practice current. I am a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), work within its Ethical Framework and am fully insured.
Taking the first step
I know that contacting a counsellor can sometimes feel like the hardest part.
I offer a free 30-minute initial consultation, giving us an opportunity to meet, talk about what has brought you to counselling and, importantly, allow you to decide whether I feel like the right counsellor for you.
There is no obligation to continue afterwards.