Author: annahallscounselling

Ahhh, some warm weather at last! I will be taking an extended break from private client work so please be advised that I am not taking on any private clients at the moment. If you are looking for a therapist please check my TOP TIPS page for local and general recommendations.

Meantime I will be working as an employed counsellor for Cambridge University Student Counselling service as part of their Student Support Services in the city centre. If you are a student at Cambridge University then you can access free counselling by clicking here.

As my leave draws to a close, its time for an update. I have decided not to take on any private clients for the next few months, so for now I will be posting updates on here but not opening the doors, as it were. I will be checking my inbox every few weeks so feel free to get in touch via email.

Take care, Anna

As the seasons change, I am preparing to go on a period of extended leave. My last working day will be Monday 19th December 2022, and I’ll be back at some point in Autumn / Winter 2023. I am really looking forward to taking a few months away from work to focus on family matters.

If you would like some help in this time then below are some links to trusted local colleagues who may be able to help. Feel free to also contact me – I will be looking at emails every week or so and will endeavour to help where I can.

Meanwhile go well, look after yourself and see you in a few months.

Anna

LINKS:

Cambridge Counselling Service

Cogwheel

8a

UCS (if you are a student at Cam Uni)

Wellbeing at ARU (if you are a student at Anglia Ruskin)

I am excited to announce that I am now an APT Accredited (Level 2) Solution Focused Therapist!

What is Solution Focused Therapy (or SFT), you wonder…? just another type of therapy and another acronym..?

Well, yes… and no.

SFT is one of a number of short-term therapy tools, and kind of does what it says on the tin- it works in a way that allows you to describe what life would look like if a particular problem or issue was solved or went away, and it can help to visualise what you want instead of the current situation.

You can read more about it here.

In my experience it means a subtle shift towards problem solving, rather than purely expressing how you feel and exploring what life is like- although that still happens. It asks questions like ‘what words would you use to describe a life free of this problem?’ and ‘If in 6 months time you were looking back to now, what one thing do you wish you would have done to solve this issue?’ Another good question is ‘over the past week, what thing or things have you noticed that you wouldn’t want to change?’

Its a wee bit more directed than my usual work, focuses on finding solutions (as the name suggests) but uses really creative techniques to build on strengths you already have and things that already working well in your life.

So, if that sounds like it could be helpful for you, then ping me a message. And if it isn’t your cup of tea, then no worries- I am still working in my usual way as well.

As ever- any questions just ask!

and take care,

Anna

Following the recent relaxing of the COVID safety measures, here is an update about in-person counselling meetings and how I intend to work…

• Please continue to only come in person if you are symptom free and feeling well.  (This is where the guidance has changed, but I would ask that you please continue to only come if you are sure you are COVID-free).
• If possible I would prefer if you could do a lateral flow test before you come, but this is optional, and in time tests will no longer be free- so I will leave this to your judgement.
• Please continue to wear a mask until we are seated, and to the use the sanitizer by the gate when you come in.
• We will continue to sit 2 meters apart and I will air the room/ sanitize all surfaces in between appointments as much as practicable

You can find out more about government guidance here.

As always, just email me if you have any Qs!

Take care,

Anna

As the weather turns colder and the nights draw in, I have been keeping an eye on local Covid-19 rates and wondering what the winter will bring…

Here in Cambridge rates seem to be fairly low but fluctuating (more info about this here) so I am keen to keep a cautious but sensible approach to working in person over the next few months.

If you are considering working with me in person, then here is what I am asking clients to sign up to:

1. Please don’t come if you have any symptoms or if you have reason to suspect you may have the virus, or have been ‘pinged’. And should there be any doubt, I am asking that you please consider very carefully whether you could have a session online instead until results are confirmed.
2. Please continue to wear a mask until you are seated inside the counselling room.
3. Please sanitize your hands at the gate when you arrive.
4. The room will be kept as ventilated as possible, so this may mean it is a little cooler than usual: please consider wearing extra layers, popping your coat back on, or using a blanket to stay a comfortable temperature (I have a few spare blankets available for this reason).
5. I will be taking weekly lateral flow tests, and you may wish to consider doing the same.
6. I am double-vaccinated and will get my booster jab as soon as I am able. Please let me know if you are NOT vaccinated.

I hope this is approach is sustainable, not too much bother, but also provides a safe environment for in-person therapy. And lets hope things continue to improve as we advance towards 2022…

Take care,

Anna

Should you wish to have counselling sessions in person, then I am happy to say that I will be offering sessions from May 4th 2021. My counselling room has been closed since Christmas for safety reasons, but as we open up and non-essential services welcome back visitors, it seems appropriate to return to face to face working.

If you want to know what safety measures I am taking then read on- and if you are looking to start therapy now that in person work is an option, then ping me an email.

As ever, please take care and enjoy the restrictions lifting.

Anna

WORKING IN PERSON: SAFETY INFO ABOUT COVID 19

This relates to how we will keep each other safe from Covid-19, so please read this carefully.

• If you any symptoms, are unwell, have been asked to isolate, suspect that you have the virus, or have travelled back from a high-risk country then please do not attend counselling in person.
• I will do the same if I have any symptoms, or suspect I have the virus for any reason or should I need to isolate. I will notify you immediately and can, health permitting, then offer counselling online.

Each week:

• When you arrive, you will need to sanitise your hands at the gate (hand gel provided) and wear a mask until we are seated.
• You will then need to sign in using the QR code from the NHS COVID-19 APP.  You will need to do this each week, at the start of every session.
• Once seated, we will be 2.5 meters apart and you won’t need to wear a mask or visor unless you want to.
• During sessions the room will be as ventilated as possible whilst maintaining privacy: you may want to bring additional layers in case the room is therefore chilly.  You will also need to bring your own drink, should you want one.  Tissues and hand gel will be provided.
• In between clients, the room will be aired for a minimum of 40 minutes (usually longer) and all surfaces wiped with antibacterial spray / cloths.
• I will take 2 lateral flow test each week, only offer in person sessions if I have test negative, and let you know immediately should I test positive. I would strongly recommend that you consider doing the same: you can collect your own lateral flow tests for free from any pharmacy, or order them online here.

General

• If there is another lock down or the risk of contracting the virus increases, then in person counselling sessions will cease, and will be offered online instead.
• You must only attend counselling in person if you are satisfied with the safety measures put in place at the counselling room: by coming you are agreeing that you are satisfied with what has been put in place and are willing to follow any guidance and safety measures given.
• Payment for sessions will need to be made online on the day of your session, and the cancellation policy is 24 hours (as my normal policy).
• If either of us develop symptoms we will not hold the other party responsible.

Thank you for your co-operation. Please don’t hesitate to ask any questions you might have in respect to the above.

I am proud to offer online and telephone counselling, and am a member of the Association for Counselling & Therapy Online (ACTO). My aim is simple: to offer you a means of accessing therapy on digital platforms as well as the option of meeting in person.

Whilst you may be hesitant about doing therapy online (too many zoom meetings leaving you frazzled, bored and feeling more disconnected then ever) there is good evidence that online therapy can be as effective as face to face work (see https://www.vogue.co.uk/beauty/article/online-therapy for an easy overview).

There are several advantages to working online and it is definitely not second best. It is different to working in person, but wonderfully so, and it can be rich, rewarding and effective. So, if you cannot travel or have mobility challenges, or if you need to self-isolate or are feeling anxious about meeting in person – or if you are just curious, then why not give it a go.

My intention is to always offer online therapy alongside in person work (when the world opens up again) so that you can chose – or switch between – what suits you best.

If online is naturally your most comfortable environment, or if you can only access therapy online for now then you are warmly welcome in my online therapy room.