Vanessa Hammond
Integrative therapistAbout Me
Since completing a degree, I have twenty years' experience in various roles as an English teacher in Colombia, a Spanish Teacher at a secondary school, Employment Facilitator, Careers Adviser, Carer for a terminally ill family member, Lighter Life Group Counsellor, NHS Counsellor, Private Counsellor, Coach and Hypnotherapist. I find it rewarding to work closely with individuals on various health and emotional issues to promote their well being and achieve their goals.
In my free time, I look after our guinea pigs, chickens and cats, walk, exercise, see my brother, have coffee with friends and spend time with my partner.
My Therapy Style
Therapy provides a regular time and space for you to talk about your troubles and explore difficult feelings in an environment that is dependable, confidential and free from intrusion. I will respect your viewpoint while supporting you to deal with specific problems, cope with crises, improve your relationships, or develop easier ways of living. We may explore what might be holding you back and discover ways of being that are more in tune with what you need. You might see this as a journey with me alongside you.
Despite the name, counsellors and coaches don’t usually offer advice. Instead, they help you to gain insight and awareness into your feelings and behaviour and from there to change your behaviour or perspectives, if you wish.
Sessions usually take place once a week. Making this regular commitment to work together gives you a better chance of finding out why you are having difficulties.
Vanessa’s Philosophy:
By using a blend of counselling, coaching and by being in tune with what you are feeling, you can then take time to choose how you wish to respond and behave. You may even decide that you don't have the resources right now to make the changes you wish for, or you may start a process of accepting yourself as a fallible human being who does not get things right all of the time. That process of understanding may help you to live more comfortably with yourself.
Issues often worked with
Types of therapy
Therapy offered
Client groups
Fees
I offer a half price (£20) initial one hour consultation for us to meet and ensure we think we can work together. From there, my fee is £40 per session.
Training and qualifications
I work as an ‘integrative’ counsellor, so I draw on and blend different types of therapy including Transactional Analysis, Solution Focussed Techniques, CBT, Focussing and Mindfulness. All of my work is based on non-directive person-centred counselling. This means that I may invite you to carry out tasks between sessions but you will take the lead on what is discussed in each session. I respect your right to choose your own direction in life and aim to allow you to become an expert on who you are by becoming more aware of what is happening inside of you.
My aim is for you to feel safe, good enough just as you are and to enable you to take risks with the issues you would like to work on. Under these conditions of safety and understanding, you can explore your inner world so that you can reassess your choices. From there you can move towards accepting or changing your perspectives and behaviours. I will offer you plenty of time to reflect and consider your choices and you may also become aware of your resilience at responding to an uncertain world. It may be that sometimes I will challenge something that you say to enable you to consider new perspectives.
2014 – BACP - Accredited Member
2013 – BACP Register - Certificate of Proficiency
2011 – Diploma in Person Centred Therapy and Counselling, Cornwall College and Plymouth University (HE Level 5, Foundation Degree)
2009 – Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy, South West School of Clinical Hypnotherapy
2005 – Certificate in Hypnotherapy, South West School of Clinical Hypnotherapy
2004 – Certificate in Advanced Counselling Studies, Cornwall College and Plymouth University
1999 - PGCE, Post Graduate Certificate of Education, Secondary Spanish with French
1996 - Trinity College Certificate, Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages
1996 - BA Honours, Spanish and Latin American Studies 2:1, University of Portsmouth