Dawn Fretten Wilson
Counsellor Psychotherapist
"The good life is a process not a state of being. It is a direction, not a destination" Carl Rogers
Welcome....
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Hello and a warm welcome to you.
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Here you'll find out
more about me and how I work.
I hope you'll also be able to further inform your sense
of what it is you are looking for in
a therapist.
About you
Sometimes life can feel like a real struggle.
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Perhaps you are living with a recent or past loss, trauma or relationship difficulties.
Maybe you are experiencing stress or a ‘stuckness’; feelings of depression, anxiety and overwhelm;
or is it that a lack of purpose or direction in life is dragging you down?
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It may be that you want to make changes around a specific issue or ongoing relationship challenges. Perhaps you simply wish to understand yourself better.
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However it is for you, I am committed to working with you and at a pace that is sensitive to your needs.
I am also mindful of, and seek to support, your agency and autonomy in the process of our work together.
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I will be available to listen, observe, notice, respond; to help you to gain some insight, understanding and clarity around elements of your life and behaviour patterns that aren’t working for you - and also those that are!
About me
I am an experienced, accredited therapist with an open, curious approach to my practice. I aim to create a calm and containing space within which we can
explore whatever you need to bring.
Therapy is a very individual and personal process.
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A background in the creative arts and personal development support my focus on and belief in the process of therapy; of feeling listened to, valued and accepted
within a trusting relationship which is able to embrace challenge and contain the unbearable through the process of change.
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I aim to listen in a way that neither judges you, nor tells you what to do.
Training and experience
For many years, I taught art and design and also personal and social education with a specialist professional qualification in relationships and sex education.
I have a wealth of experience in working relationally with adults and young people from a diversity of backgrounds, identities and belief systems.
I am a registered and accredited member of the BACP which informs my commitment to ethical practice and the provision of a safe and confidential space for you.
My Diploma is in Integrative Counselling (UWE) which is accredited
by the BACP.
Alongside my professional private practice, I have had therapeutic counselling experience with young through to older adult clients in Further Education settings, and for the mental health charity Bristol Mind.
I have also had the privilege of working as
an assistant project coordinator for Bristol Mind, primarily
training and supervising Mindline and Trans+ helpline volunteers, and as
an associate lecturer on the Certificate in Counselling Skills at UWE.
Qualifications
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MBACP (Accred)
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Diploma - Professional Studies Counselling (University of the West of England -UWE)
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Certificate -Counselling Skills (UWE)
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National Teaching Certificate - PSHE Ed. specialising in Relationships and Sex Education (University of Roehampton Accred.)
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Art Teachers’ Certificate (University of London, Goldsmiths’ College)
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BA(Hons) 3D Design –Ceramics (UWE)
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How I work
I offer a safe, calm and accepting environment to support you in making this brave and important step towards positive change.
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The therapeutic relationship is at the heart of my practice alongside
the essential values of
empathy, acceptance and genuineness.
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Sometimes words may feel inaccessible, and feelings locked away or
too difficult to communicate verbally.
From this calm, grounded and deeply holding relationship, I can offer you ways of working which explore alternative ways of communicating which are
creative and insightful, explorative and challenging.
I like to work with whatever may be meaningful for you.
This can include creative writing, dreams, imagery or objects.
Humour is welcome too!
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I am an integrative therapist. This means that I use elements of different psychological ideas to inform the most appropriate way of working with you and your particular needs.
My practice is trauma-informed and integrative, primarily drawing on person-centred, psychodynamic and gestalt counselling approaches.
What I Can Help With
I can help you to make sense of issues around identity and relationships;
of life events and experiences - past and present; to recognise and challenge thought and behaviour patterns and gain a new perspective;
and to help you find ways of coping with difficulties that you might be facing.
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This can lead to greater self-trust, confidence and self-esteem
and also promote the discovery of a more authentic, empowered and accepting sense of yourself.
What to Expect
Our initial consultation will focus around us learning a bit more about each other.
We will talk about the issues that have brought you here and work out what your aims for therapy are. I will also ask you some questions about your life history.
This first meeting gives me a flavour of how things are for you; and you,
an idea of how I work and how working with me might feel.
I will also give you my 'Client Agreement' and 'Privacy Agreement'
documents to read. These outline the terms and conditions of how I work
and how I manage your personal data.
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It may be that you will have questions that you would like to ask me.
A question you might have in mind for yourself during
this initial consultation is:
Am I ready and able to make a weekly commitment to this therapeutic process
with this person?
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It is a key question because the elements that you like and are drawn to within
this first session will form the bedrock upon which a successful
therapeutic relationship will grow.
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Should you choose to work with me, I will ask you to verbally commit
the 'Privacy Agreement' document.
We can then agree the day and time for your weekly session.
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How will I feel?
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You may well feel nervous and apprehensive before meeting for the first time.
It is a significant step and I very much appreciate that.
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After a therapy session, you may feel very tired or even drained, shaky and emotional. If you can, try to factor in a little quiet time for yourself at the end of a session -go to a cafe, for a stroll, sit in a park or chill out at home.
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Fees and timings
Initial consultation - £45 (50 mins)
Counselling therapy - £60 per session
Sessions are once a week for 50 minutes and at the same time each week.
I offer open-ended therapy. This means that, once agreed, the session day/time
is yours for as long as you may need it.
Periodically, I will build a bit of review time into a session
to check how things are going.
Contact Me
I am a welcoming and friendly, qualified professional, offering one-to-one therapy in pleasant, comfortable rooms near
Clifton Down Shopping Centre,
off Whiteladies Rd.
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I aim to make my practice a welcome space for all, however the building will have access limitations for some.
Currently I am able to offer a small number of sessions to clients requiring ground floor access and accessible toilet facilities.
Please let me know if you have any access requirements so that we can discuss suitability, and adjust if necessary/possible.
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Email: dawnfw.counselling@gmail.com
Text: 07969391031
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I would love to hear from you either to make an appointment
for an initial assessment, or for more information.
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The Practice Rooms, 39, Cotham Hill, Bristol , BS6 6JY
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Find me at: The Practice Rooms
Find me at: The Counselling Directory
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