Welcome – I’m Amanda

I'm a psychotherapeutic counsellor and holistic therapist based in the lovely suburbs of Bournville and Stirchley, South Birmingham. I specialise in stress reduction, natural holistic health and education, working with a range of people wanting to improve performance, mood, life choices and seek new ways forward.

CHALICE THERAPIES

Talking Therapies - Psychotherapeutic Counselling, Coaching & Support

For many of my clients the challenges of overwhelm, sensory overload and feeling like the mind is permanently switched on feels exhausting. And depending on the therapeutic approach and techniques applied, stress, intense emotions, improved relaxed states and (through self compassion) taking back control can lead to hope and positive change. 

Common presentations include: 

- Occupational burnout and stress

- Wanting to feel heard and comfortable in a safe space

- Boundary exploring and setting

- Emotional stress trauma responses, recognition and management (fight, flight, fawn, freeze, flop)

-  Psychoeducation: Application, theories, worksheets

- Identity, acceptance and compassion

- Exploring diversity, neurodiversity, SEN, ADHD, gender, faith, creativity etc

- Autopilot and outdated patterns - managing change

- Perfectionism, negative thought loops

- Mindfulness, relaxation, meditation and breathwork

To discuss individual requirements, or if your workplace, surgery or college has recommended therapy as part of a CPD or support package, contact us for a free assessment. 

Community interest support, partnership provision and concession may also be available. Happy to discuss requirements and bespoke packages.

Approaches:

~ One to one psychotherapy, counselling, coaching and  mindfulness for stress reduction. Modalities can be integrative and include Person Centred, Gestalt, DBT techniques, eco (outdoors), creative arts, compassion and heart centred focused

~ Community, festival and corporate partnership work

~ Sound baths can be incorporated into sessions, or as a stand alone session for individuals or groups

~ Psycoeducation: Worksheets available

~ Workshops and training courses

~ CPD, therapy and support for practitioners and students

~ Collaboration and partnership work

~ Online (Zoom or WhatsApp), in-community and in-clinic

Holistic Somatic Therapies and Mindfulness

Mindfulness: Practice and training:

~  Grounding, body scan, meditation, sound and movement

~  Sensory awareness and relaxation. Mindfulness Now teacher

Clinical FHT registered holistic somatic therapist. Bodywork mind/body integration:

Holistic and natural approaches to healthcare are balancing, calming and sensory, bringing about equilibrium of mind and body. More than one approach may be integrated within a session e.g. aromatherapy with reflexology

~ Clinical massage can ground and centre, be calming, lift mood, ease occupational and aching muscles and reduce the effects of a stressed nervous system

~ Individualised aromatherapy blends made in session. Glastonbury's Starchild, Neil's Yard and pure organic carrier oils

~ Clear head massage and pressure point treatment: Head, face, back, spine, arms and sinus areas. Feel uplifted

~ Non medical lymphatic drainage for that sluggish feeling

~ Reflexology and pressure point work (foot and face)

~ Energy, Sound and Reiki based treatments

~ Sound baths and journeys (individual and group)

~ UK Reiki Federation registered: Teaching available

~ Workshops, courses and training

Holistic approaches are great for calming the nervous system, reducing stress, pain and training the mind and body to relax well. For safety and to establish needs general health, contra-indications and aftercare are discussed before each session

Eco and Nature Based Therapies (outdoors)

I offer one to one and group counselling in outdoor spaces, engaging with the natural world, sensory stimuli, elements and varied eco-environments. We can walk and talk, practice mindfulness for relaxation and create natural art.

The natural world is not only beneficial for mental and physical health but contains metaphor and symbolism, providing alternative ways to communicate and express oneself.

In addition, transpersonal, psychospiritual and spiritual companionship support is also available on request.

CHALICE WELLBEING

COMMUNITY  PROJECTS, EDUCATION AND COLLABORATIONS

Collaboration and partnership work can offer valuable opportunities for clients and stakeholders - often working multi agency and providing funded places.

Companies I have worked with providing therapy, management and teaching include: The National Trust, Youth Service, Probation Service, local authorities, Adult Education Service, Wimpey Homes and NHS clinics (mindfulness training). Woodbrooke Quaker College, chaplaincy/Church of England, Forest Church labyrinth talks, meditation and eco therapy.

Glastonbury Festival, Soul Circus Festival, and Scarborough Wellbeing Fairs. Positive health, wellbeing support and teaching provision at Queer Spirit, Spirit Camp, Red Tent and women's groups. Plus many other local and nationwide mind, body, wellbeing festivals.

Funded Healthcare Schemes

I can provide registration details and a receipt when claiming for treatments listed under clinical, social prescribed, occupational healthcare and insurance schemes