Additional Information
Firstly, a word about confidentiality - I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP) and the same with the Association of Dance Movement Psychotherapy (ADMP-UK). I subscribe to the BACP Ethical Framework, and the Code of Ethics of ADMP-UK, both of which have a complaints procedure to which I am accountable. The brief anonymised notes I make after each session are stored securely. All my work is supervised on a regular basis. I do not disclose information you share with me to other people, the exceptions being:
- Where there may be illegality.
- As a counsellor, psychotherapist and supervisor I review the work I do with my supervisor on a monthly basis. This is a requirement of my member organisations named above. I keep your identity confidential.
- Where there may be serious risk either to yourself or to others. I reserve the right to make appropriate contacts on the advice of my supervisor. I will make every effort to seek your prior consent.
- I have a living will which means that in the event of my incapacity or death my supervisor will gain access to your contact details and assist you in finding support elsewhere.
Therapeutic Principles
While counselling and psychotherapy are generally regarded as beneficial it must be realised that this may not be so in every case.
The therapeutic relationship is based on trust and mutual respect, guided by the client’s developmental process. The main purpose of the therapeutic conditions – set time, set fee, ethical framework and so on – is to create and maintain a safe space in which to facilitate this development. The conditions help to create a professional working alliance. The boundaries are set according to the professional organisations I belong to as well as my own experience of what works best for my client and myself.
I regard myself as a psychotherapeutic counsellor and a dance movement psychotherapist and my practice is influenced by a range of approaches including: humanistic, person-centred, experiential, experimental, Jungian and Gestalt.
Various techniques may be used, for example imagery, dialogue, props and breath. These are used according to my professional judgement of what may help rather than applied as prescriptions or methods aimed at achieving a specific outcome.
The therapeutic relationship is designed for the growth and development of the client. I see it as my professional responsibility to inform the client if it does not seem to me to be working for their benefit, or if it ceases to do so.
Length of therapy
We will formally start with an initial assessment session, which may be after an initial meeting. At the end of this we will evaluate the situation and decide whether we will enter fully into the therapeutic contract.
We will either set a specific period for the therapeutic process, or we will (more usually) leave the contract open ended. During the period of the therapeutic relationship we will have regular review sessions as appropriate and agreed.
When you want to stop therapy, it is usually appropriate to meet for a mutually agreed number of sessions in which the ending of the relationship can be addressed and accomplished. The number depends on the length and depth of the relationship. An onward referral can be arranged where appropriate.
I reserve the right to vary these contract terms from time to time, in which case I will endeavour to give good notice and time for discussion.
The story of Quiet Mindz ...
The story behind choosing the name Quiet Mindz (a registered business name) began when I was given a pocket book by a dear friend and soulmate of mine in the late 1990s. In the first few pages the author cites a quotation in a book on meditation ... "The secret of strength lies in the quiet mind". For me that struck a chord that has deepened in its meaning for me ever since. Throughout my training and subsequently qualifying as a therapist, and with further training and ongoing CPD, I have noticed most often in my therapy work with clients is that when they do indeed become more embodied and thus integrated with both Mind and Body), wholesome and more in touch with their senses - their thoughts and emotions become much less intense and bothersome. As their mind quietens they become more available in their capacity for themselves and others in their lives.
Professional Information
I am a Registered Member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), and also on the Private Practice and Supervisor register of the Association for Dance Movement Psychotherapy (ADMP-UK). I abide by their respective codes of ethics and am subject to their complaints procedures.
DBS: I hold enhanced DBS (CRB) clearance for working with vulnerable adults and young children, updated every 3 years.
Insurance: I hold Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurance for all my work as a psychotherapeutic counsellor and dance movement psychotherapist.
Continuous Professional Development (CPD): It is a professional requirement to continually update my knowledge, experience and understanding by undertaking regular CPD every year.
Links
British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy BACP
Association of Dance Movement Psychotherapy UK ADMP-UK
American Dance Therapy Association ADTA
Gestalt Psychotherapy Training Institute GPTI
Listed on UKSBD
Educational and Training Services
For companies (service industries, etc.) and organisations (schools, social workers etc.), Counsellor Coventry offers a range of innovative creative therapeutic services to support the mental and emotional needs of employees including clinical supervision for employees who require a confidential, safe, creative space to explore emotional and psychological processes involved in their demanding interactions with people (essential to avoid ‘burn out’).
Counselling Coventry also offers educational and training services that where we can explore and develop creative potential that can be utilised in decision making processes and such like. That could include movement observational skills (not occupational therapy) that can be very helpful in variety of contexts where communication and other functional processes are required to be developed.
The approach is informed by humanistic integrative (largely gestalt) approaches and creative and expressive processes (movement, creative materials in small and ledger groups etc.) that come together in facilitations that are creative, empowering, and fun to enable the participants to get the maximum out of their experience and realise their creative potential.
The facilitator is qualified and experienced in a range of therapeutic practices and until recently was an Associate Lecturer in HE, teaching on a professional MA level therapy training. He has extensive annual CPD that includes mindfulness and the performance art of clowning (Sacred Clown) as well as improvisational theatrical clowning.
For HE institutions, the facilitator is also available on associate lecturer, fixed or part time contracts to contribute to Counselling, Psychotherapy or arts therapies programmes and has experience of facilitating a range of modules including group process, clinical and academic supervision of students.
Counsellor Coventry also offer bespoke therapeutic services or educational/training services that can be tailored to suit the needs of employers through discussion and negotiation.
Paul has experience of teaching the following CPCAB qualifications: L4 Therapeutic Counselling and L5 Psychotherapeutic Counselling. During lockdown (March - June 2020) teaching was delivered via Zoom with the support of the educational platform Moodle.
Employers
Paul has experience of working with organisations, institutions and companies offering employees an alternative to existing employee assistance programmes; including group therapy, individual therapy, coaching or consultancy.
He also offers a service to organisations, institutions and companies who require assistance in exploring and understanding any communication or relationship difficulties employees may have using an integrated movement observation analysis based on Laban Movement Analysis (LMA), Kestenberg Movement Profile (KMP) and semiotics. He can also offer movement based group work to explore those difficulties or to explore and develop the creative or communicative potential of their employees.