Personal & Relationship Counselling
COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPY IN PLYMOUTH Est.1994
Meet Our Team
At Personal and Relationship Counselling, we have a diverse range of specialists with years of experience in providing an effective, personalised form of couples counselling and psychotherapy in Plymouth and online. Our team contains experts in a range of areas, such as couples counselling, psychotherapy, LGBTQIA+ issues, EMDR, bereavement and loss, addiction and trauma, allowing us to determine the exact kind of help you need at the first contact and offer a personalised form of help that goes to the heart of your problems.
Keep reading for more information on each member of our friendly team of BACP registered and accredited counsellors and psychotherapists in Plymouth.
Dinah Kennington (she/her)
NCPS Registered Membership with Senior Accreditation
Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling
Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
Certificate in online and Telephone Counselling
BA (hons) Childhood Studies
Currently working towards Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Clinical Supervision
I work with a humanistic approach that recognises your uniqueness and potential and I am a Person-Centred Counsellor. Which means I am focused in seeing the person first and providing an accepting, non-judgemental and empathic relationship for all those seeking counselling.
My background has seen me previously work for many years in pastoral and support within all levels of education. My therapy work unites those skills and experiences of working with adults of all ages and reflects many subject areas of offering therapeutic support. In particular, past childhood trauma, neurodiversity and LGBTQIA+, working with a whole spectrum of different gender and sexual expressions. In support of this, I have completed an Advanced Course in ‘Working with Trans and Gender Diverse Clients’. I also work with suicidal ideation, self-harm and supporting those who are survivors of bereavement of loss through suicide. These are to name but a few areas of the therapy work I offer.
I have been in counselling practice for 9 years and I hold Senior Accreditation as a member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS), who in turn are accredited by the Professional Standards Authority. As
well as working face-to-face, I am also a qualified online and telephone counsellor and currently training as a Level 6 Clinical Supervisor.
Marcia Morton
BACP Registered Member
Level 2 Advanced Counselling Skills
Level 3 Counselling Study
Final Year Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
Diploma in Teaching Meditation – British School of Meditation
I am a humanistic, integrative counsellor offering a holistic approach to my work, drawing on a number of different approaches depending on the clients needs. I have a keen interest in narcissism and the healing and recovery of narcissistic abuse.
I recently gained a diploma in Mindful Meditation, as I believe by being able to learn to connect back to our bodies and our true selves will not only help us understand what our bodies are trying to tell us, but it can also help us discover inside ourselves, and over time can retune past trauma and anxiety which has entered our bodies by external influences, be this bullying, abuse or conditions and external beliefs that are put on us through our lives.
We all experience personal problems at some point in our lives. It can feel like we are ‘stuck’ with certain difficult emotions, which is why I focus on giving you the ideal environment to explore challenging feelings and move past them. Together we will work on developing self-love and a closer understanding of yourself to put you on a path towards a happier, clearer mindset.
Claire Goddard
BACP Registered Member
Certificate in Relationship Therapy
Advanced Specialist Diploma in Psychotherapy
Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
Certificate in Awareness in Bereavement Care
Transactional Analysis (101 Certificate)
I have worked as a Couples Counsellor since 2014 and possess additional experience in working with victims of sexual violence through the Twelves Company, along with helping people experiencing bereavements, and currently work in a secondary school as a counsellor for young people.
Following 15 years of working with children, young people, and families, both in schools and within social services, my main goal is to help people live a more fulfilling life. As an integrative counsellor, I give you a safe environment to tell your story and gain a deeper awareness of yourself, enabling you to see life from a healthier perspective.
Steve Worsley
Registered Member MBACP Accredited
Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling (Iron Mill Institute)
Advanced Specialist Diploma in Psychotherapy
Certificate in Education
I am a Humanistic Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist and have been practising for over 13 years, Counselling adults and young people in private practice and here at PRC for the past 7 years also.
My career has included time as a Royal Marine, a period with Devon Ambulance Service and teaching and managing Physical Education.
To start with, I will give you the space to tell your story in your own way, free of judgement, listening closely to what you say and learning what you need from therapy. The model of therapy we use will depend entirely on your personality and the problems you are facing. Each client knows what is best for them and has their own preferences and styles of communication. I will take these unique traits into account to give you the most effective form of support.
Naheed Holmes
BACP Accredited
Diploma in Professional Studies – Counselling (University of the West of England, UWE)
Transactional Analysis (101 Certificate)
I have a creative background and trained as a counsellor in Bristol for three years, working primarily with young people, before relocating to Plymouth as a counsellor in a residential drug and alcohol unit. I also held the role of clinical lead, offering me an opportunity to work with eating disorders. My work also includes running a small private practice where I help people navigate a variety of issues.
I practice an integrated approach, drawing on humanistic and relational perspectives, allowing me to work with clients in a way that supports their individual needs. This could entail issues like addiction, eating disorders, OCD, trauma, abuse, stress, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, assertive and personal development, identity, difference, and loss. My role is always to support you and ‘untangle’ issues in a collaborative way, allowing you to develop new ways of thinking to promote positive change.
Les Parsons
Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy (Iron Mill Institute) Supervision Certificate
BA Hons (Humanities) Transactional Analysis (101 Certificate)
Having trained originally as a psychiatric nurse, working in community mental health projects for many years, I have been self-employed as a therapist and supervisor for over two decades. My training and experience, especially in community mental health, allows me to work with care and empathy on a wide range of issues.
I bring a number of approaches to my work and always place central importance on forming a non-judgmental therapeutic relationship that allows you to feel comfortable and speak openly about the difficulties you are facing.
Kamil Kostrzewa
BACP Accredited
Level 4 & 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling
Advanced Certificate in Relationship Therapy
Advanced Couple Course
Post Graduate Study in Social Preventative Treatment & Rehabilitation
Master’s Degree in Pedagogy Department
EMDR
I am a fully qualified, MBACP accredited, experienced counsellor and psychotherapist, offering a warm, confidential, non-judgmental space for both individuals and couples.
My work incorporates a range of issues, which include: depression, anxiety, PTSD, anger, rage, relationship issues, childhood abuse, sexual abuse, domestic abuse, low self-esteem, bullying, sadness, coping with serious health conditions, stress, suicidal thoughts, personality disorders, despair, change, addictions, low self-confidence, self-harm, trauma, grief, identity, sexual orientation.
I am also a fully qualified couple and relationship therapist with an advanced certificate in relationship therapy from the College of Sexual and Relationship Therapies. My work with couples involves helping you find balance through positive conflict management techniques – particularly with affairs and the anger, blame, frustration, and loss of trust this can bring, working collaboratively to ensure each individual’s needs are met in the relationship.
Moreover, I have experience in working with LGBTQIA+ clients, assisting with areas such as the difficulties of coming out, stigma, associated mental health issues, childhood bias, gender identity, high-risk sexual behaviour, and other issues. I am here to support you on your journey with full awareness of the specific pressures experienced by the LGBTQIA+ community.
My sessions can be provided in both English and Polish.
Ferda Mesquita Barros
Acupuncturist
MBAcC Member of The British Acupuncture Council
BSc (Hons)
LicAc
Diploma in Balneo-Physiotharapy
Ferda has been part of our practice since January 2021 setting up her private acupuncture clinic within our building, and has proved to be a very welcome addition.
She is a graduate of the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine and a member of the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC). Membership of the BAcC guarantees excellence in training, safe practice and professional conduct. Ferda practices Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, which will allow her to treat Body, Mind and Soul at a deeper level.
Ferda was first drawn to acupuncture while working on cruise ships after achieving a diploma in Balneo-Physiotherapy in 2007. This allowed her to travel the world practicing on cruise ships where she met acupuncture practitioners, which led her to Chinese Medicine. Upon moving to the UK, Ferda decided to further her studies enrolling at the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine in 2013.
Ferda is using the principles of traditional Chinese medical diagnosis and treatment which includes feeling the pulse,
analysing the tongue, observing disease by taking the human body as a whole and treating each individual as unique.
In her practice Ferda is focusing on women’s health including, natural and assisted fertility, pregnancy and post-natal support, menstrual issues, musculoskeletal pain, gastrointestinal issues, fibromyalgia, migraines, insomnia, Bell’s Palsy, Trigeminal Neuralgia and TMJ. However, with the whole-body approach of Chinese Medicine, every problem has the potential to be addressed, therefore, Ferda’s practice is not limited to these aspects alone.
When you come in for treatment with Ferda, you can expect a calm atmosphere of healing, an attentive and listening ear, and the gentle, effective approach of providing therapy and care for her patients.
Your first visit starts with a consultation, detailing questions about your health history to identify the root of the problem and to plan the best treatment for you.
Along with your acupuncture treatment you may receive free cupping, tui-na massage, guasha, moxibustion or ear seeds to compliment your treatment. Please wear loose clothing for your treatment.
First visit up to 90 minutes £65 and Follow-up visit 60-75 minutes £50
If you would like to book an appointment or find out more about acupuncture and if it will be suitable for you, please contact Ferda direct on 07443434086 or email info@ferdambchinesemedicine.com
Getting in touch
You are free to get in touch with us over the phone, by email, or using the contact form below to arrange a free 15-minute call. This allows you to ask any questions and decide whether couples counselling or psychotherapy is right for you. There is no pressure on you to book a session if you don’t want to. However, should you wish to proceed, please use our booking system to select a time for your first session.
Want to know more about how we supply couples counselling and psychotherapy in Plymouth? Take a look at our Counsellors and Therapists page for further information on how our team of specialists can work with you.
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