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Toad Counselling Ltd

Get to where you want to be in life You do not have to journey alone

Get to where you want to be in life You do not have to journey aloneGet to where you want to be in life You do not have to journey alone

My name is Tony Matthews - Psychotherapeutic Counsellor

  

I come from a military family background and served in the Royal Engineers till I was medically discharged. I became a therapist to help people of all ages to learn to understand and manage their lives, emotions and feelings. 

For a long time I believed in keeping emotions and feelings to myself because that's what I was taught to do, and if you cried, you were not considered a man. I have learned to let go and share the way I feel, and yes, I cry too,  and without  feeling ashamed.


I am an integrative psychotherapeutic counsellor and mindfulness practitioner and I believe that we all do the best we can with what we've got. 

Yet, we long for change.


Are you willing to take a long, compassionate look at how you got to this point and what steps you will need to take to begin a process of change?

  

Sometimes, it can be hard to know how to cope with everything and reaching out for help can take a great deal of courage.


Do you feel overwhelmed, stressed, anxious, depressed, hopeless, lonely, confused, scared or even frustrated? Sometimes we feel like we’re stuck or are moving backwards when we want to go forwards.


Whether one tangible issue has prompted you to pursue therapy or you are grappling with a series of existential questions – purpose, identity, faith, doubt –  I will consistently and reliably join you to navigate uncharted territory as your healing begins. 


I practice understanding, compassion, and warmth and aim to provide thoughtful guidance and insight, while empowering you to take meaningful steps towards greater self-worth, present-mindedness, healthier and deeper relationships, resiliency to navigate change, and conscious living so you can grow and flourish during and beyond therapy.


One thing people worry about the most is, ‘Will this go on any permanent record if I come for therapy around depression, anxiety or other issues?’, the answer is No. Seeing a private therapist for whatever you feel you need to see one is not recorded in any medical file or the like where you worry it may impact on yours or your child’s life choices.


I work with both adults and children and have experience of working with those on the autistic spectrum. 


If you are fed up with the way that you feel, see things and want something different for yourself? You don't have to face life's difficulties alone, get in touch, have a chat to see what we do and or how we can help you.


“You Do Not Have to Journey Alone”


Whatever your background, whatever your life has held, there is no shame in feeling, no shame in having emotions, no shame in sharing and no shame in crying. 


“Because You are the One that Matters”

Experience & Specialisation

Intagr8 - (2015 - 2019)

Volunteer Counsellor/Psychotherapist Providing counselling in North Devon  

Counsellor & support worker - Devon Partnership NHS Trust (2017)

The Historical Trauma Programme Specialist help for survivors of childhood abuse and neglect 


My Main areas of working are Trauma, Autism and ADHD, and Couples/Relationship work.

You can find me as a registered accredited member of the NCS (National Counselling Society)

Qualifications

BSc (hons) Open Degree - Psychology · Counselling

Counselling Hub (cpcab Accred) - Certificate of Participation

BSc (hons) Open Degree - Psychology · Counselling

K314 - Approaches to Mental Health


DD310 - Counselling and Forensic Psychology: Investigating Crime and Therapy


E219 - Psychology of Childhood and Youth


K260 - Death and Dying


D240 - Counselling, exploring fear & sadness

Petroc College (cpcab Accred)

Counselling Hub (cpcab Accred) - Certificate of Participation

BSc (hons) Open Degree - Psychology · Counselling

Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling - Level 4 (TC-L4)


Certificate in Counselling Studies - Level 3 (CST-L3)


Certificate in Counselling Skills - 

Level 2 (CSK-L2)


Award in Introduction to Counselling Skills - Level 2 (ICSK-L2)

Counselling Hub (cpcab Accred) - Certificate of Participation

Counselling Hub (cpcab Accred) - Certificate of Participation

Dartmoor Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy CIC and Safe Space for Counselling (NCS Accred)

Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling - Level 5 (PC-L5).

Dartmoor Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy CIC and Safe Space for Counselling (NCS Accred)

Dartmoor Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy CIC and Safe Space for Counselling (NCS Accred)

Dartmoor Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy CIC and Safe Space for Counselling (NCS Accred)

Specialist Training - Professional Diploma Children and Young People

www.highspeedtraining.co.uk - Children and Young People and Vulnerable Adults

Dartmoor Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy CIC and Safe Space for Counselling (NCS Accred)

www.highspeedtraining.co.uk - Children and Young People and Vulnerable Adults

Advanced Safeguarding Children (Level 2) - Renewal 01/11/2022


Designated Safeguarding Officer (Level 3) - Renewal 26/11/2022


Advanced Safeguarding Adults (Level 2)


Equality and Diversity in Health and Social Care

The Open University - OpenLearn

Dartmoor Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy CIC and Safe Space for Counselling (NCS Accred)

www.highspeedtraining.co.uk - Children and Young People and Vulnerable Adults

The Autistic Spectrum: From Theory to Practice - Level 2

Couples Counselling

CPD - Continued Professional Development

CPD - Continued Professional Development

Couples Counselling Toolkit


Counselling Couples with Sexual Difficulties


Domestic Violence & Abuse Awareness


Using Emotional Focused Therapy 


Principles in Couple Work


Working with Substance Misuse in Relationships


Working with Loss, Grief & Bereavement


Working with Gender & Sexual Diversity


Working with Suicide Risk


Working with Mental Issues


Introducing Mindfulness to Couple Work


Attachment Issues within an Intimate Relationship


Introduction to Systemic Therapy


Working with Infidelity

CPD - Continued Professional Development

CPD - Continued Professional Development

CPD - Continued Professional Development

Working with Narcissism Course


Life Coaching Diploma


Transactional Analysis Course


Mindfulness Diploma


Couples and Family Therapy Diploma Course


Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Diploma


Gestalt Therapy Diploma


Addiction Therapy Diploma


Play Therapy Course


Dialectical Behavioural Therapy Toolkit


A Counsellors Guide to Working with Anxiety 


Advanced Autism Awareness Diploma


Anger and Aggression Management Practitioner Diploma


NLP Foundation Skills Diploma



My name is Belinda Shackson - Counsellor

I am a fully qualified Person centred Integrative Counsellor. I have worked with numerous clients presenting a broadened variety of issues. I specialise in Bereavement and loss, clients going through the stages of menopause, relationships, couples issues, and clients looking at exploring new ways of relating, whilst looking at their own identity and previous patterns. I also work with clients that are struggling with daily life and living with anxiety/depression. I always put the client first and will endeavour to always hold for them, a safe, and confidential space for us to look into what is really going on for them. The therapeutic relationship is very significant in its healing, and it can often be enough to have empathy and positive regard to facilitate a real process of change and acceptance.


I have been in both chairs, I have been a client, now after 5 years of learning, commitment and hard work I am a therapist. I feel it’s a  huge privilege, when I sit with a client and they allow me into their  inner world and lived experiences.


As an ethically bound practitioner, I will always put the needs of the client first, I respect their autonomy and will show beneficence throughout the work. I am constantly evolving as a counsellor and committed to working on myself and my own personal development.

Counselling isn’t  for everyone, but for those who take that brave first step to seek out therapy it can be transformative.


You will often see inspirational messages and philosophical quotes in all sorts of places on all sorts of things, social media is awash with them. I particular like ‘if you can be anything in this world, be kind’ no doubt you will have read that one somewhere.


My absolute  personal favourite, that really resonates with me and aligns with my own values as a therapist is-


“ Know all the theories, master all the techniques, but as you touch another human soul be just another human soul”- Carl Jung

Experience & Specialisation

I have worked as a volunteer counsellor for 2 and a half years, and specialise in loss and bereavement, and couples/relationship therapy.


Voluntary work with elderly (friendship group), and stages of menopause support. 


My main area of working is Bereavement and Grief, and Couples/Relationship work.

You can find me as a registered accredited member of the NCS (National Counselling Society)

Qualifications

Petroc College (cpcab Accred)

www.highspeedtraining.co.uk - Children and Young People and Vulnerable Adults

www.highspeedtraining.co.uk - Children and Young People and Vulnerable Adults

Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling - Level 4 (TC-L4)


Certificate in Counselling Studies - Level 3 (CST-L3)


Certificate in Counselling Skills - 

Level 2 (CSK-L2)


Award in Introduction to Counselling Skills - Level 2 (ICSK-L2)

www.highspeedtraining.co.uk - Children and Young People and Vulnerable Adults

www.highspeedtraining.co.uk - Children and Young People and Vulnerable Adults

www.highspeedtraining.co.uk - Children and Young People and Vulnerable Adults

Advanced Safeguarding Children (Level 2) - Renewal 01/08/2023


Advanced Safeguarding Adults (Level 2) - TBC


Equality and Diversity in Health and Social Care - TBC

Couples Counselling

CPD - Continued Professional Development

CPD - Continued Professional Development

Couples Counselling Toolkit


Counselling Couples with Sexual Difficulties


Domestic Violence & Abuse Awareness


Using Emotional Focused Therapy 


Principles in Couple Work


Working with Substance Misuse in Relationships


Working with Loss, Grief & Bereavement


Working with Gender & Sexual Diversity


Working with Suicide Risk


Working with Mental Issues


Introducing Mindfulness to Couple Work


Attachment Issues within an Intimate Relationship


Introduction to Systemic Therapy


Working with Infidelity

CPD - Continued Professional Development

CPD - Continued Professional Development

CPD - Continued Professional Development

TBC

My name is Terry Barton - Student Counsellor

  

“When a person realizes they have been deeply heard, their eyes moisten. I think in some real sense they are weeping for joy. It is as though they were saying, "Thank God, somebody heard me. Someone knows what it's like to be me".

Carl Rogers.


I am in my final year, re-training to become a Therapeutic Counsellor. My life’s journey has taken me from an individual with no sense of self, to a mature male who can offer a mature perspective on a whole host of life experiences and facets of life, both good and bad.


My journey has taught me that expressing emotions both verbally and physically is crucial in developing and maintaining relationships with both others and one’s self. 


As a person-centred practitioner, I feel it is important to ensure that you remain the focus of any issues you wish to share in an effort to allow for a sense of autonomy.


I believe I am in a position to offer support in the exploration of whatever issues you wish to bring to the room, in a fully empathic, non-judgemental, genuine manner, whilst reflecting a warm and safe space. 


The process of change can feel a lonely one. To have someone who can be “walking beside you” can give an individual a sense of safe disclosure that can lead to a more explicit, self-caring person.       



Experience

Toad Counselling Ltd - 2022

Qualifications

Petroc College (cpcab Accred)

www.highspeedtraining.co.uk - Children and Young People and Vulnerable Adults

www.highspeedtraining.co.uk - Children and Young People and Vulnerable Adults

Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling - Level 4 (TC-L4) 2nd year student


Certificate in Counselling Studies - Level 3 (CST-L3)


Certificate in Counselling Skills - 

Level 2 (CSK-L2)


Award in Introduction to Counselling Skills - Level 2 (ICSK-L2)

www.highspeedtraining.co.uk - Children and Young People and Vulnerable Adults

www.highspeedtraining.co.uk - Children and Young People and Vulnerable Adults

www.highspeedtraining.co.uk - Children and Young People and Vulnerable Adults

Advanced Safeguarding Children (Level 2) - TBC


Advanced Safeguarding Adults (Level 2) - TBC


Equality and Diversity in Health and Social Care - TBC

CPD - Continued Professional Development

CPD - Continued Professional Development

CPD - Continued Professional Development

TBC

Exeter University

CPD - Continued Professional Development

CPD - Continued Professional Development

BSc Exercise & Sports Science (2001)


© Toad Counselling Ltd 2015 - 2022

All Rights Reserved

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