Skills & Training

An honest appraisal

Trust is the most important essence in a helping situation. We need to feel we can trust the people we share very personal information with and with whom we become vulnerable. We trust their confidentiality and their commitment to help us through a difficult phase. Loss was frequent and a difficult dynamic to navigate when I was younger. In truth, I didn't deal with it well because I just did not know how to and there was not as much understanding or support about for depression, a very normal human reaction to loss. In the 70's and 80's people found it difficult to deal with those not coping. There was much stigma around difficulties of the mind and not coping in the world of work, so feelings had to be hidden. Depression was talked about with fear and embarrassment which engendered feelings of shame in the sufferer. Thankfully, we have come a long way in the support available at many levels, though I still consider our understanding and compassion can be broader. Some years later during a very stressful time in my life I experienced a very severe depression. It was not pretty, and I would not wish anybody to go through that. I had to make major changes in my life and I did. I am in a more authentic and happy place now through learning so much more about myself and backing that up with professional training. For me, self-improvement is, above all, a responsibility toward those who place their trust in me every day and I will continue to study. To date, I hold the following qualifications: BCAP Counselling training to Level 1/2& 3, Diploma in Grief Counselling CoE Grief Specialist training: Dr John Wilson PhD York University Cruse Bereavement Foundation training Certificate in Life Coaching Newcastle College Humanities...Open University Mental Health Advocacy in the Workplace Understanding Autism Level 1 & 2 City & Guilds Massage Level 3 (1994) City & Guilds Aromatherapy Level 3(1995) Please feel free to ask for any clarification about my experience or training. Lorraine