Abi Spence 

Integrative Psychotherapy

About Therapy

There are many reasons why you might be thinking about trying therapy. It could also be experiences from your childhood or more recent history which have been left unresolved, leading to anxiety, depression or toxic cycles of behaviour.

It might be what you are experiencing in the here and now; we are living in a time of great uncertainty, change and responsibility, with more access to information and more choice than ever before. Sometimes this can feel overwhelming.

Whatever might have brought you to this point, I provide a safe, non-judgemental and confidential space separate from your family and social group, in which to explore whatever you want to bring.
About Me

I work with adults (18+) on a one-to-one basis to assist you to process, respond to or engage with whatever might be preventing you from living your life to its fullest and happiest.

My way of working is based on an integrative training, which means I call on various modalities, for example attachment theory (how we are in relationship), person-centred (you are the expert on your experience) and relational (what’s happening between us here and now).

Nevertheless, I am led by you; your lived experience of the world and your sense of place within it. For 50 minutes, one day a week, you can be present and alive to your thoughts, feelings , memories and sensations in a way that life may prevent you from being. 
As  well as anxiety, depression, stress and relationship issues I also work with:
  • Sibling and family issues 
  • Childhood trauma (including neglect, sexual and physical abuse) 
  • Boarding school childhood. Find out more in this short introduction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG3rY9TohTk 
  • Fertility issues, from undergoing IVF and miscarriage to involuntary childlessness. 
  • Post-partum depression and hypervigilance  
  • GSRD (Gender, Sexuality and Relationship Diversity) and 2SLGBTQI+ issues
  • For a more information and further details about what I can assist you in working through, visit  https://www.bacp.co.uk/therapists/384177/abi-spence/ or https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/counsellors/abi-spence
Training and qualifications
  • I am a registered member of the British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)  and adhere to their ethical principles and Code of Professional Conduct. 
  • I am a full clinical psychotherapist member of the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) and subscribe to its code of ethics.
  • I trained at the Minster Centre,  one of Europe's leading integrative psychotherapy training institutions.
  • MA, Diploma, and Advanced Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy: Minster Centre and Middlesex University
  • Member of BICA, (the British Infertility Counselling Association) and The Relational School.
  • Media volunteer for Fertility Network UK. 
  • I hold DBS clearance to work with adults.
  • I am in clinical supervision and undertake regular CPD (Continual Professional Development). 
  • Since 2018 I have worked in private practice in  in London. I now work at Miller's Yard in York and in Harome, North Yorkshire.
Outdoor Therapy 

For some people, the idea of sitting in a room together, facing each other, can be too confronting.  Walk and talk therapy takes psychotherapy into the fresh air. Movement, being in the elements, and even the simple alteration to typical talking therapy of being physically side by side rather than opposite each other, can all be beneficial to the difficult and courageous process of looking at the aspects of our lives which cause us pain.

Before the session, we negotiate where we meet, how we will manage confidentiality and privacy during the session, and other details.

Get in touch if this feels like something you might be interested in trying.

Practicalities

First steps:

We have a 25 minute meeting, which can be online, in person or on the phone.  During it, we will discuss what has brought you to this point and I answer any questions you may have, and I explain the practicalities of how we work together. 

There is no obligation to make any commitment beyond this session. If you would like to continue, we will pick a day and time to begin our meetings. Once we have agreed a start date, I will send you some information, and a client/therapist agreement form for you to read through and sign. 

Sessions and Fees 

I work in central York and Harome, North Yorkshire. In York, my consultation room is in Miller's Yard, Gillygate. Union Terrace, Monk Bar and Bootham Row car parks are nearby, and further parking is available in nearby streets. It is a 10 minute walk from York station. 

In Harome, my consultation room is in an outbuilding which has been converted to be a home office and therapy room.The room we meet in has its own entrance and toilet facilities. Free parking is possible along the length of Main Street.

I meet clients in person at either location. I also work online, and offer walk and talk sessions in nature. All types of session, and at each location are £65. The work can be short term (6-12 sessions) or long term.

I work Monday - Thursday. Contact me for my current availability.

**Important Note** I will endeavour ro respond to your email within 48 hours, excluding weekends.

 If you are in distress, please call 111 NHS Mental Health Crisis Support.

Contact

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