Counselling and Psychotherapy in Ilkley, West Yorkshire.

Welcome to Clarity Counselling Ilkley

A confidential space to explore the thoughts, feelings and challenges in your life.

In-person and Online Appointments.

Counselling for Individuals and Couples.

Clinical Supervison for Qualified Counsellors.

Counselling for individuals and couples in a safe, comfortable and private setting

Welcome, and thank you for visiting Clarity Counselling Ilkley.

Anita Dunford - BSc Therapeutic Counselling and Psychotherapy. MBACP (Accred)

My name is Anita Dunford and I am an experienced, qualified counsellor and psychotherapist, based in central Ilkley, providing both in-person and online therapy for individual clients and couples.

I am trained in the Relational Model of counselling which is grounded in the premise that many of our problems take root in troubled interpersonal relationships in both the past and present.

This approach has enabled me to help with a wide range of emotional difficulties such as trauma, bereavement, anxiety, relationship issues, emotional regulation and adjusting to major life transitions.

I offer both in-person and online counselling, via Zoom. We are all different and whilst some may prefer in -person counselling, others may feel more comfortable accessing counselling from the comfort of their own home.

I am an 'Accredited' member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) providing a high level of professional competence and care. Accreditation, which is awarded by a professional body, means that the individual has achieved a high standard of knowledge, experience, and development.

Speak in Confidence

Counselling takes place in a safe space, where you can meet with someone who will listen with sensitivity and empathy.

I provide a safe, non-judgmental, confidential environment from where you can talk about anything you want, however difficult it may be.

I will listen carefully and non-judgmentally, with respect, in complete confidence.

Together we may explore what is troubling you and begin to find a way for you to reach your own decisions and make your own choices

A problem shared...

In truth all of us experience difficult times in our lives. Perhaps you are struggling with a specific problem such as relationship or family issues, or maybe you just generally feel low and need help making sense of your situation.

Maybe you are considering separation or divorce and need to talk through the difficulties with an understanding professional.

Whether you are experiencing bereavement, relationship problems. anxiety, self-esteem issues, or something you don't understand, it can be hard to open up with family or friends without feeling that you are burdening them. Speaking to a counsellor, in confidence, can help in you express and understanding your feelings.

Make better, healthier choices

The relationship we have with ourselves is more important than any other. For many, though, this relationship with ourselves can also be the most difficult.

I understand how we can fall into patterns of negative thoughts and behaviours which only reinforce the problems that you are facing, and how it can feel that things will never change.

Whatever your reasons, counselling can help provide the opportunity to explore, make sense of, and work through difficult and painful processes which can help us live a happier more fulfilling life with ourselves and in our relationships with ourselves and others.

How can counselling help ?

Some individuals seek counselling to help with feelings of anxiety and low self-esteem. Although you may want to accept yourself, some find this is difficult and your way of thinking and feeling may impact on your life, and relationships with others. Counselling can help you explore blocks to self-esteem and teach you practical ways to make your happiness a priority.

Major life events such as bereavement, divorce, separation, terminal illness, job loss or retirement can feel hard to cope with. Counselling aims to provide support to help you deal with the vast array of feelings which you may be experiencing, and support you adjust to the changes in your life.

The challenges of family and other relationships are frequent reasons that people seek counselling. Counselling can help you strengthen and develop your communication skills and look at ways to resolve conflict in your relationships.

Perhaps you simply want to find meaning in life and understand why you feel the way you do. Having self- awareness can help you take control of your life and enables you to take a more active role in your relationships, career plans and personal goals.

I provide a safe, non-judgmental, confidential environment from where you can talk about anything you want, however difficult. I will listen carefully and non-judgmentally, with respect, in complete confidence. Together we may explore what is troubling you, and begin to find a way for you to reach your own decisions and make your own choices. Counselling isn’t about me giving you solutions or advice, but empowering you to make the changes you need and want for yourself .

What issues can counselling help with?

People arrange sessions with me to address a wide range of issues.

Here are some of the issues that can be supported through counselling:

Bereavement

Grief and Loss

Feelings of stress

Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Feelings of Low Mood and Depression

Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress

Historical Abuse/ Childhood Emotional Neglect

Problems with confidence or Self-Value

Anger management

Issues relating to sexuality

Difficulties at work or in retirement

Divorce/Separation/Relationship Problems

Dementia

Major life transitions such as: having children, illness, Redundancy, retirement and ageing

Sandwich Generation - Caring for both children and elderly parents.

Frequently asked questions

Once you have decided that counselling may help, I would suggest that you contact me to arrange a meeting to discuss your reasons for seeking counselling. Once we have agreed a date and time to meet to I will email my Therapy Agreement for you to read and consent to online.

You may know after the first session that you wish to proceed with some further sessions but you may also feel that you need some time to think it over before making a commitment.

If you did want to proceed I usually suggest that we agree to meet for six sessions. It may well be that you will not need to attend all six sessions and if this is the case we can cancel any booked sessions. It may be that you feel the need to book some further sessions. Again we will keep reviewing your individual needs, goals and choices.

Counselling is usually a good way to help with a current problem; something that can be discussed and - hopefully - resolved within a limited number of sessions. Over a certain number of weeks the understanding of the problem improves and away forward becomes clear.

Therapy often describes work that goes a bit deeper, towards more substantial life issues and problems having a deeper effect on the client’s life. Therapy often requires a long-term approach, so the number of sessions can be open-ended.

Which option is most suitable depends on the client and the difficulties they are facing. In some cases counselling works well as an ongoing, longer-term option - or therapy can manage to resolve an issue in just a few sessions.

The cost of sessions is £55 for individuals and £70 for couples. Each session is 60 minutes duration.

Payment is accepted by Debit Card, Credit Card or Bank Transfer.

My counselling room is located within the building of Grove Therapy, 62 The Grove, Ilkley, LS29 9PA. The building is easily accessible from Ilkley train and bus stations which are within a short walking distance. There is metered car parking in the main central car park as well as on street car parking nearby.

The location is easily accessible for clients in Ilkley and the surrounding areas of Addingham, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Menston, Guiseley, Bradford, Harrogate, Leeds, Otley and Skipton.

I would like to reassure you that I am committed to the health and safety of all clients and have put in place several measures as precautions. Covid Policy Details.

You can be assured that everything you share with me during our work together will be treated as highly confidential. However, there are some limits to confidentiality which you need to be aware of: In very rare cases I may be legally or ethically obliged to break confidentiality for example, where I consider your welfare or the welfare of others to be at risk.

This would include you disclosing information that someone (including yourself) is in danger, or you disclose to me your intent of committing a serious criminal offence or terrorism, at which stage I may need to consider breaking confidentiality in accordance with the BACP Ethical

Framework.

Each individual is different and has different concerns. Some people feel the benefits of counselling after a few sessions, whilst others may feel that they have longer term concerns which they may decide to spend some time working on. Nothing is set in stone. We offer regular reviews to ensure that we are meeting your individual needs.

If you rearrange or cancel within 24 hours notice of your appointment there is no charge. However, cancellations of less than 24 hours would normally incur the full appointment fee.

My aim is to offer a first appointment - known as an initial assessment - within 1-2 weeks. Then we would arrange a set number of counselling sessions to take place weekly at a time that is convenient for you and where I have availability. How quickly these sessions can begin will depend on the availability of that free ‘slot’.

Taking that first step...

If you are considering seeing a counsellor in Ilkley or

online , taking that first step in reaching out can be scary and confusing but in my experience people often struggle with a mental health issue, a personal crisis or problems with a relationship for much longer than they need to.

Sometimes a friend has proved a source of comfort, but this help can only go so far. Realising that resolving a problem requires something more means you have actually already taken the first step towards improving your life.

A fascinating journey begins here...

Seeing a counsellor or psychotherapist is not a passive act; it isn’t like visiting the doctor to be measured, assessed and treated. You don’t come away after one appointment with a pill to take and the responsibility ends there.

Counselling and psychotherapy is undertaken with a professional, empathic other. It is a process that you will be actively involved with and with you deciding what issues you need to address. This can be extremely empowering experience - one that leads to important self-awareness which will hopefully help you view your issues in a more compassionate, understanding way.

Qualifications

BSc Therapeutic Counselling - Leeds Beckett University (BACP Accredited Course).

HE Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling and Psychotherapy - Leeds Beckett

University (BACP Accredited Course)

Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling Training - 80 hours of lectures, peer discussion, reading and assessments.

Certificate in Working with Couples- Leeds Centre for Psychological Development.

Counselling Specialist training and experience of working with bereavement, trauma, suicide

and dealing with loss

I hold Professional Indemnity Insurance

I hold a current Disclosure and Barring Certificate (DBS).

Online Sessions

Online counselling offers certain benefits but there are also limitations that are worth bearing in mind when deciding which type of therapy will best suit your needs.

Benefits

Counselling therapy from your own home at a time that suits you.

Secure inscription software offers confidentiality and peace of mind.

No chance that you may be seen entering the counsellors practice.

Therapy at a time, place and pace that suits you.

Access to counselling may be more immediate

Things to consider

Are you comfortable using internet technology?

Would you prefer to see your counsellor in-person?

Do you feel you can express your feelings well using words?

Do you feel your situation is too complex to discuss via the internet?

Is there a computer terminal that you can use privately without interruption?

Online Considerations

Online counselling is not sufficient support if you feel you are in crisis.

Signs of crisis may be feelings or thought about suicide or harm yourself or another.

In this case please consider contacting your local accident and emergency department at your nearest hospital and ask to speak to someone from the crisis team.

If you feel you need immediate assistance you may consider contacting the Samaritans, who are available by telephone 24 hours a day on 116 123.

Fees

Counselling Sessions (in-person and online).

£55 per session

Couples Counselling Sessions ( in-person only).

£70 per 60 minute session

£100 per 90 minute session

Contact Me

If you are looking to speak with a counsellor or arrange some online sessions please feel free to get in touch with me. I am happy to discuss any queries or questions that you may have as this enables us to discuss the reasons why you are seeking counselling, whether it could be helpful for you, and whether I am the right therapist to help.

You can also call me on 07704 631975 if you would prefer. If I am not available to take your call and you would like me to call you back, please leave a message with your name and number. I am unable to respond to missed calls where no message has been left.

All enquires are usually answered within 24 hours (except Sundays) and all contact is strictly confidential and uses secure phone and email services. Find out more by reading my Privacy Policy.