Counselling also supports clients through the formal divorce process, helping you apply techniques which take the anxiety out of attending court or coming face-to-face with an ex-partner.
The service is here for children, too. Liz is trained in helping young people deal with issues at home, and adapt to different circumstances. She is a certified Young People’s Counsellor and is also qualified in Therapeutic Play Skills for children aged between 5 and 10.
Liz offers support in the following areas:
- Couple counselling
- Young people’s counselling
- Therapeutic play
- Family counselling
- Sex therapy
- Psychosexual therapy
- Life skills training
- Therapeutic group skills
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Skills
- Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy
- Domestic violence
- Suicide and self-harm
- Eating disorders
- Mental health issues.
You’ll be able to meet with Liz, or to receive counselling online or via phone or email. Liz also runs group workshops on the following situations:
A two hour workshop offered to separating/divorcing parents looking at children’s responses to family breakdown, ways to handle these responses and how to best manage communication as separated parents.
An 8 session course for children in Primary Schools offering them the opportunity to talk about what it’s like for them when Mum and Dad separate and to know that other children might be having similar experiences and feelings. Parents are offered some insights into their children’s thoughts, worries and emotional responses at the end of the course. Below are some of the testimonials we received from parents:
“(child’s name) is now trying to express her feelings”
“(child’s name) loved the support the group gave her”
“It was informative for a parent to see the emotions the child felt through their eyes. They now feel it is ok to be different, that not all families are the same”
“Very helpful and reassuring”
“Very supportive friendly group, (child’s name) enjoyed their time with you, thank you”
The children also gave comments:
“I liked this group I think it helped me realise”
“The best group ever!”
“This group has really helped me and I have learnt that it is ok to be different”
New Beginnings: The Next Chapter
An eight session course lasting 90 minutes per session and running weekly. This is offered to women who are looking to move on but still recovering from their split. The power of shared experience is always apparent and good friendships are forged, the group are encouraged to become more and more self managing as time goes on and a ‘9th’ session is scheduled as a social event.
Here is a note from our counsellor Liz Headley about the most recent group:
"On this occasion the group is made up of six women at varying stages of the separation and divorce process. They have all had some 1:1 sessions with me, some of them over quite a long period of time and they all expressed an interest in joining the New Beginnings, The Next Chapter group.
This group offers the opportunity for the participants to share their own stories in as much detail as feels comfortable. Although everyone's experience of relationship breakdown and the separation and divorce process is unique, usually a variety of themes emerge which resonate with at least some of the group members
What is discussed in the 90 minute sessions is very much led by the group and I am just facilitating, however I can offer a psychological perspective on some of the issues they bring up if required.
The general aims of the groups are to provide an empathic environment where no-one feels judged or criticised. Over the years I have regularly heard those going through separation and divorce saying that they worry that family and friends are tiring of hearing them talk about how they are feeling or how they are feeling about their ex. The group allows all the women to speak about these topics in a confidential space where they will feel heard and supported. I would hope that by the end of the sessions, the women will have grown in confidence, that their self worth will have improved and they that they will face the future with some optimism being more aware of the opportunities it can offer them.
Generally the group runs over eight sessions, but every time I have run this group some have continued to stay in contact with each other and friendships have grown and flourished."
Living with Separation and Divorce
Aimed at women experiencing relationship breakdown who are at the very beginning of the process. Three monthly sessions offering emotional support and guidance.
