Author: Tessa

Hello, my name is Alan Russell. I possess six years experience as a counsellor providing therapeutic interventions to both Adults and Young People. I have also counselled young people and adults engaged in the Self Harm Intervention Service, the Employee Assistance Program, and clients with a wide variety of presenting issues. I also coordinated the Step 2 Drug and Alcohol Early Intervention Service within the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust.

Interests:
I have a profound interest in Counselling parents with fostered and adopted children and counselling children and young people who have been fostered and adopted. I also have an interest providing therapeutic intervention to clients who present with Fertility issues. I have provided therapeutic Interventions to adults and young service users who presented with Anxiety, Depression, Suicidal Ideation, Drug and Alcohol Addiction’s, Relationship issues, Fertility issues, trauma, bereavement, bullying, peer pressures.

Counselling is a collaboration and is client led, and I will work with you at your individual pace to explore your presenting issues. I create a warm, non-judgemental, unconditional approach to establish a trustworthy therapeutic alliance and work together to achieve your desired outcomes.

I provide a Person-Centred Approach and use Cognitive Behavioural and Psychodynamic Approaches within my therapeutic interventions to Culturally and Neurodiverse clients. A tailored therapeutic approach is created to meet your individual therapeutic support needs whilst instilling hope and empowerment to you. Counselling is delivered either face to face or virtually via MS Teams, Zoom or via Telephone.

Thank you for reading my profile and I will look forward to supporting you therapeutically.

Qualifications and Training
• Ulster University Foundation Degree in Counselling (Distinction)
• Level 5 Diploma in Trauma Informed Practice Counselling Children and Young People (pending completion 2025)
• Child Protection Training – Children in Northern Ireland
• Child Protection Designated Safeguarding Officer – Children in Northern Ireland.
• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
• Naloxone Administration Training.
• Motivational Interviewing
• WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Planning)
• understanding Self-Harm and Alcohol. Zest Training.
• Accredited Member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society.

Registration:
Accredited Member with National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society
Registered Member with British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy
Independent Member of British Association of Social Workers

Qualifications:
BSc (Hons) Psychology
BSc (Hons) Social Work
Dip. Behavioural Science
Dip. Counselling
Cert. EMDR
Cert. Family Group Conference Coordinator
Advanced Solihull Practitioner and Trainer

Additional information:
My professional background includes Social Work and Psychotherapy. I worked with Barnardos NI from 2003-2021 when I left to launch my own private practice, Heartsease Consultancy. In my work with Barnardos I worked in both early years as well as Fostering and Adoption services. Working with trauma and supporting families was a daily practice in this role. In my private practice I provide 1-1 therapy for all ages using a variety of psycho therapeutic interventions and deliver training on various relevant subjects. I also deliver Outreach Therapy as an Associate Counsellor with Rural Support, training for WAVE Trauma Centre, Volunteer for CRUSE Bereavement, provide Independent Foster Assessments and Project Lead the Lets Grow Together Programme for Fresh Minds Education.

I am passionate about supporting children and adults to understand themselves and their emotional world. I use a theorectical knowledge base as well as experiencial techniques and strive to empower individuals to learn and develop internal resources in which they can feel resilient and have the ability to self-regulate despite adversities in life. The approaches and modalities I use in practice, epitomizes this passion and includes psychoeducation and resources to help promote emotional well being.

As mentioned my approach is very much trauma informed and tailored to the unique life experiences and presentation of the client.

Outside of work I go to the gym, walk my lovely wee dog, love wee treats like reflexology and massage, socialise with friends, have quiet coffee dates with myself and not forgetting spending quality time with my family.

Location:
Lisburn

I am registered/accredited with:
BACP (British Association of Counsellors & Psychotherapists, Accredited Member) NHS (National Hypnotherapy Society, Registered Member)

Code of ethics observed:
I abide by BACP & NHS code of ethics.

My counselling qualifications are:
BSc (Hons) Psychology & Sociology
CBT Level 5 CPCAB
CPCAB Dip (Relate) Relationship Counselling
FDSc Integrative Counselling
Dip HypCS Hypnotherapy & Counselling
Cert Person Centred Counselling
Dip Mindfulness
Cert in Online Counselling

My training areas are:
Working with Neurodiversity Therapeutically
Grief & Bereavement
Level 2 Safeguarding Children
Level 2 Safeguarding Adults
TESSA Trained Adoption Counselling
ASIST Suicide Intervention Training
Mental Health & Wellbeing Coaching
Cert in Alcohol & Young People’s Development
Cert in New Psychoactive Substances
Cert in Childhood Sexual Abuse
Cert in Managing Self-Harm

I have a special interest/experience in:
Integrative Counselling Practice, Relationship Issues, Attachment Issues, Mindfulness & Hypnotherapy Practice.

Additional information:
I have over 15 years’ experience in the voluntary and public sectors working with individuals, couples, and families. I currently work as a self-employed counsellor, an Inspire associate counsellor, hypnotherapist, and mindfulness practitioner.

My theoretical approach:
Integrative counselling (person-centred, CBT & psychodynamic)

I see:
Individuals, couples, families.

I am an integrative counsellor based in Limavady working with both adolescents and adults. I draw from different theories of counselling and can work creatively, as this allows me to tailor the therapy to best meet the needs of my clients.

I have a lot of experience working with a wide range of issues with adults and adolescents both through Youthlife and in my private practice.

I aim to build a therapeutic relationship based on safety & trust and to provide a safe space for you to work through your issues in a non-judgemental and confidential environment. I will work with the you to achieve your full potential.

I believe it is important to have self-awareness about our thinking and feelings and with this awareness we can start to create the change needed to live a freer and fuller life.