Alastair Soutar
Counsellor in Burnham On Sea

I have over forty years experience of working closely with people who are encountering difficulties in their lives and I have been directly involved with counselling since 1997. The most important feature of my counselling approach is the quality of the relationship that I aim to afford my clients; as I believe that within an environment that is nonjudgmental, caring, confidential, supporting and safe, a person may attain natural positive growth.

My private practice has been purpose-built and includes a waiting area, therapy room with air-conditioning and is designed to cater fully for the needs of wheelchair users. The setting is private and peaceful and there is ample off road parking for clients' vehicles; in addition the location is well served by public transport.

Background & Counselling Qualifications

I have been trained in an Integrative model of counselling and continue to maintain professional development. In addition I have also undertaken specialist training with organisations such as CRUSE Bereavement Care, Victim Support, The British Mindfulness Institute etc.

My qualifications are: a Master of Arts Degree in Counselling and a Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling; both of which were awarded by Bath Spa University. I also hold a diploma in Parks Inner Child Therapy; a qualification awarded to me by Raworth College, following extensive training undertaken with the innovator of this psychotherapeutic approach Penny Parks.

In addition to my qualifications I am a British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy 'Senior Accredited Counsellor/Psychotherapist' and so I am bound by its ethical framework for good practice and subject to its professional conduct procedure.

I see clients on a one-to-one basis and only work with adults. My clients are either self-referred, referred by their employers (either directly or via an Employer Assistance Provider etc.) and on occasions are people who have been referred directly to me by their specific welfare provider.

My Specialisms

People come to me for counselling for a variety of reasons. For example it may be directly associated with a specific event e.g. bereavement, abuse, illness, divorce, loss etc; or it may arise from a combination of factors, sometimes originating from as far back as early childhood. Whatever their reason (or reasons) the result is the same - a negative effect on their well-being.

Typical areas of counselling that I deal with:

Abuse
Anger management
Anxiety
Bereavement
Bullying
Childhood Abuse
Depression
Disabilities
Emotional abuse
Family issues
Illness
Low self-confidence
Low self-esteem
Obsessive compulsive disorder
Passive aggressive behaviour
Physical abuse
Relationship issues
Self harm
Separation and divorce
Sexual abuse
Sexuality
Spirituality
Stress
Trauma
Work related stress

Approach to Counselling & How I Work

My work with clients ranges from short-term solution-focussed interventions to long-term therapy and is tailored to meet the needs of the individual concerned.

My sessions are designed to help a person identify and explore issues that are troubling them; as with a greater awareness and understanding of a situation, so an individual may attain a clearer sense of their personal resources and as a consequence achieve self determined positive change.

Therapies & Rates

Please note the rates detailed below are there to give you an idea of the therapists standard rates, we strongly advise you contact the therapist for more detailed rates and any offers they may have.

Therapy	Appointment Type	Rate
Psychotherapy	In Person	£45 per 60 minutes
Counselling	In Person	£45 per 60 minutes

Additional Rate Information

The first session with me is free of charge and is offered without obligation; subsequent sessions are charged at £45 per session. Sessions ideally occur on a weekly basis and are 60 minutes in length. The practice is open on weekdays between 9am and 7pm with the last appointment of the day commencing at 6pm. I will endeavour to meet your needs with regard to the most convenient appointment times for you, but this is entirely dependent on availability - early evening appointments are usually very popular. The practice is currently unable to take on new clients due to health issues.