About Me
Before practicing clinically as an Integrative Therapist, I was trained as an actor at East 15 Acting School and then worked for over 30-years on the stage and in Education, as a Teacher, Director, and Senior Lecturer of Drama, Physical Theatre, and Vocal Studies. I, therefore, maintain a profound interest in the human condition and have a genuine care for people.
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In my previous career in education, I was also an Institutional Teaching and Learning Fellow at Edge Hill University (2015-2018) and the designer, founder, and manager of the Student Peer Mentor Scheme in Performing Arts (2010-2018), facilitating the training of student peer mentors in support of student experience, employability, and wellbeing. I was a founder member of the University Peer Mentor working group and a principal author on the University Student Peer Mentor Policy. My research concentrated on Performance and Therapy with particular emphasis on Health and Wellbeing, and I launched a therapeutic theatre company, Confiança Collaborative, which concentrates on mental and physical illness, with a view to inspiring opinion and change (www.confiancacollaborative.com). My Practice As Research has explored Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, SEN, and Suicide, and the company has been internationally recognised for having a “positive and constructive impact on society”, The Good News Planet, New York (October 2014 - http://goodnewsplanet.com/lisa-adams-davey-kathleen-whitehead-english-producerhost-racheal-owens/).
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I am an ASIST Suicide Interventionist, and in July 2015 I was awarded an International Certificate of recognition from LivingWorks, Canada, for my contributions to building Suicide-Safer Communities. I was the Technical Consultant for Sodexo’s Global Mental Health and Wellbeing Training Programme (2018), which was written to address the needs of over 400,000 employees across 70 countries. I have also delivered Continual Professional Development sessions (CPD’s), including those on “Stress” and “Fear”, at Cambridge University; “Stress Management” for the NHS; and I have facilitated the Level 3 counselling course and various CPD’s, including, “Grief and Loss”, “Autism and ADHD”, and “Working with Anger” at JHD Counselling.
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Recent Continual Professional Development includes: ​​​
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Dreams and Analytical Psychology
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Understanding the Dark Triad of Personality in Life, Work, and Relationships
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Symbols of Power and the Power of Symbols – Why I am Jungian!
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Substance Misuse
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Mastering the Treatment of Trauma
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Working with Complex Clients
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Working with Suicidal Clients
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Death of a Child
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​Life After Suicide
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Dying at Home
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A Matter of Death and Life (Irvin Yalom)
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Trauma, Mind, Body (Super Conference)
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Working with Nesting Dolls in Counselling (Pauline Andrew)
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Sand Tray Theory and Practice
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Introduction to Drama Therapy
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Working with Metaphor
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Arts Psychotherapies
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Introduction to Working with Gestalt Techniques
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Working at Relational Depth in Counselling and Psychotherapy (Mick Cooper)
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Emotional Freedom Technique
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Flash Technique for Trauma Reduction
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Matrix Re-imprinting
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Working in Private Practice
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Safeguarding Adults
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Safeguarding Children
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Stress Management
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Conflict Resolution and the Duty of Candour
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Equality, Diversity, and Human Rights
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General Data Protection Regulation Training
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Safeguarding and Child Protection Training for Clinical Staff
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Channel General Awareness (Prevent On-line Training)
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MENTAL HEALTH / THERAPY QUALIFICATIONS:
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Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling (Level 5)
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Advanced Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling (Level 4)
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Diploma in Counselling Skills and Theory (Level 4)
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Certificate in Hypnotherapy and Counselling Skills (Level 3)
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EFT Practitioner Training (Level 2)
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Certificate in Clinical Supervision, (Level 2 - CRUSE Bereavement Support)
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Certificate in Bereavement Therapy for Children and Young People (CRUSE)
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MHFA Instructor Training Certificate
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Bereavement Support Foundation Course (CRUSE)
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Certificate for Second Degree in Reiki
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Certificate in Laughter Therapy
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Certificate for First Degree in Reiki
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Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Certificate
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Mental Health First Aid Certificate
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Mental Health First Aid Lite Certificate
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PRESENT STUDY: Level 7 in Advanced Patterns in Psychotherapy
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OTHER QUALIFICATIONS include:​
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M.A. in Contemporary Performing Arts
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BA (Hons) (1st Class) Theatre Studies/English Literature
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Post Graduate Certificate of Education
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BTEC Certificate in Management Studies
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City & Guilds 730/7 Teachers Certificate
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Acting Diploma
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A Levels English Literature, Music, and Theatre Studies
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Foundation Certificate in Theatre Studies
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LAMDA Acting Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medals
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ESB Public Speaking Certificate
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Grade 7 and Grade 8 Singing (RSM)
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