Once you have contacted Koala Counselling we will arrange for you to speak informally to one of our team or to the counsellor or therapist that you have chosen from the list below.
Initial consultations are FREE, completely confidential and without obligation.
Koala Counselling Professionals
ACT counsellors and therapists that work with Koala Counselling are all qualified, experienced professionals who offer a range of one-to-one treatment programmes working with clients using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) formulated treatments. In some circumstances, other recognised therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) might also be included in a limited way as part of an integrated treatment approach.
Dr Steve Killick
Biography
Helping people to move mountains and climb higher
I am a Clinical Psychologist and BABCP Accredited CBT Practitioner. I have been using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in therapy and coaching contexts for many years and find it a powerful tool in building people’s confidence, resilience and overcoming the difficulties they may struggling with.
I am particularly interested in building resilience and emotional intelligence and work with NHS staff in dealing with stress and mental health problems as well as people facing a wide range of difficulties including anxiety, depression and relationship issues.
Availability & fees
Available UK wide – Skype / Zoom / Phone / Other
Fees – Available on request
Location
Cardiff
UK wide on-line and phone
Dr Michelle Huws-Thomas
Biography
I help people to identify their struggles and to work towards living a meaningful life within an Acceptance and Commitment therapeutic way.
I am a highly experienced psychotherapist, chartered psychologist and mental health nurse with a clinical and academic career spanning more than 30 years. I have worked with people experiencing a wide range of issues over these years from mild to severe and enduring mental health difficulties and have used a variety of different helping approaches under supervision.
I am experienced in a number of therapeutic models including CBT, integrative counselling, motivational interviewing, trauma focused therapies and compassion focussed therapy.
My preferred model is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as I value the emphasis on helping clients to live a life within their values and to work towards reaching what is important to live a meaningful life.
Deep empathy, compassion and a non-judgemental approach are at the heart of my practice.
Professional memberships: BACP. ACBS (ACT). EMDR Europe Association.
Availability & fees
Available – face to face with Covid safe restrictions only
UK wide – Zoom or Phone
Fees – Available on request
Location
Cardiff Area
UK wide on-line and phone
Sian Jones
Biography
I am a counsellor and consultative supervisor, a very enthusiastic ACT practitioner and very proud mum of two. I am a member of the BACP including, Private Practise Division and Children and Young People Division I have been a practising Integrative Counsellor for 18yrs and a Supervisor for 9yrs. My work is predominately with children and young adults. I have also worked in my own private practise with adults.
It is my work with young people that brought me to my new found love of Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) I was fortunate to undertake ACT training in Anxiety and Depression with Russ Harris when he came to the UK back in 2017. This training only helped cement what I was already learning and my passion for ACT therapy.
I have completed online course in ACT for Trauma and ACT for Adolescents. I have been an ACT practitioner for the past three years, helping clients to lead a life that is complete and fulfilling and consistent with the values that hold dear to them. I work integratively and tailor sessions to meet each client’s needs and hopefully along the way help the client learn some new skills and have some fun in the process.
Availability & fees
Available UK wide – Zoom / Teams / Phone
Fees – Available on request
Location
Monmouthshire area
UK wide on-line and phone
Shaun Sincock
Biography
I help people to make sense of life’s issues in a non-judgmental way and find ways to move forward.
I am a fully qualified, experienced person-centred therapeutic counsellor who uses an integrative approach. I incorporate skills from a range of approaches including Person-Centred, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Gestalt Therapy. I work with people from different backgrounds who sometimes need time for themselves to reset and refocus. Life can often throw problems our way, counselling can help make sense of what’s happening and allow you to move forward positively. I strive to help people achieve their goals and improve their quality of life.
I appreciate that personal situations can be extremely difficult and overwhelming and I aim to provide a safe, confidential space to assist you in our work together. I offer a flexible approach for appointments so individuals can feel relaxed and valued.
I have many years of on-going experience within a charitable drug & alcohol /mental health/wellbeing organisation where I am employed as a therapeutic counsellor/ therapist. I work within the BACP framework for ethical practice providing counselling to adults and young people over the age of 16.
I believe that by building a strong therapeutic relationship and working collaboratively there is potential to increase self-awareness, understanding and confidence which can lead to clarity, insight and change. I strongly believe that counselling has the potential to make sense of life’s issues in a non-judgmental way and find ways forward
Availability & fees
Available – Face to face dependant on circumstances and by prior arrangement only
UK wide – Skype / Zoom / Phone / Other
Fees – Available on request
Location
Bridgend and Cardiff areas
UK wide on-line and phone
Andy Wilson
Biography
My aim is to help people to lead full, meaningful and vital lives.
As a therapist my passion is to use proven, evidence-based approaches with the aim of helping you find ways of living a meaningful and vital life. I work collaboratively with respect and compassion to build a strong relationship with you. Together will we explore your experience to see what is and is not working in your life and find ways to make positive changes to help you thrive and grow.
I work in an integrative way bringing different methods in where it is appropriate. My primary framework is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which I have been using for eight years. In my experience ACT helps people learn to let go of their struggles, get clarity on what really matters to them and commit to living full, vibrant lives.
I completed my training as a Counsellor in 2007 at Bristol University. My approach has developed through working in several different voluntary and public sector agencies as well as private practice over the last fifteen years. I hold a master’s degree in Counselling as well as post-graduate qualifications in psychology and education. I am an accredited member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Availability & fees
Available UK wide – Doxy.me (preferred) Skype / Zoom / Phone also possible
Fees – Available on request
Location
Cardiff area
UK wide on-line and phone
Kathy Nisbet
Biography
Helping people deal with difficulties, reduce suffering and live more meaningful lives.
I am an experienced Relational Integrative Counsellor, an Acceptance and Commitment (ACT) Therapist and a Consultative Supervisor. It is my goal to provide a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space to enable clients to speak about difficulties and experiences that are causing distress and pain, exploring obstacles that prevent them from moving forward. I will be alongside you, whilst valuing, respecting and supporting you.
I am passionate about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and love the creative way it enables us to learn new skills, to help us live full and meaningful lives, whilst building resilience, increasing psychological flexibility and clarifying what matters most to us. It really does help us drop the struggle and engage in the moment.
My ACT training at Cardiff University was consolidated by attending training with Russ Harris (one of the ACT greats) on ACT for Anxiety and Depression, in London in 2017. I have also completed ACT online courses, in ACT for Trauma and ACT for Adolescents. I am trained in Motivational Interviewing (M.I) and hold a Certificate in Therapeutic Mentoring for Trauma. I am also a certified cyber-therapist with the Online Therapy Institute. I have experience of working with children, adolescents and adults, in statutory, non-statutory and private settings. I have worked in specific bereavement support and addiction environments, as well as school settings.
I am a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) including Children, Young People and Families division and a member of the Association for Contextual Behavioural Science. (ACBS)
Availability & fees
Available UK wide – Zoom / Teams / Phone
Fees – Available on request
Location
Monmouthshire
UK wide on-line and phone
Mark Meredith
Biography
I am a qualified Mental Health adult and child/adolescent professional with over 17 years’ experience within the NHS. During this time I have gained significant experience treating adults, adolescents, children and their families with conditions such as depression, anxiety and panic disorders, trauma, OCD, self-harm and chronic stress whilst also providing therapy to those who require crisis intervention.
I am passionate about working holistically with my patients empowering them to solve the dilemmas that they are faced with using an integrative approach, meaning I draw on several therapeutic models including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to ensure we find the best fit for your needs. I am a fully qualified Systemic Family Therapist, CBT therapist and EMDR practitioner who is regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). I also have experience in delivering Brief Solution Focused Therapy and Family Therapy as a CAHMS Nurse Specialist.
I am empathic, non-judgemental and passionate about helping people make positive change to their lives. My counselling sessions offer a calm, confidential safe space where there is respect and understanding. I will provide an opportunity for you to explore your feelings, work through any issues and help develop new ways of coping.
Availability & fees
Available – face-to-face with Covid safe restrictions (home visits possible with Covid safe restrictions in place)
UK wide – phone / on-line
Fees: – Available on request
Location
Pontypridd, surrounding valleys and Cardiff area
UK wide on-line and phone
Name
Biography
Biography …
Availability & fees
Available –
Fees: £ per hour
Location
Area …
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT is a recently developed scientifically-based, evidence-proven psychology and therapy. Whereas most traditional therapies were developed in the 1950s/60s, ACT was developed in the late 1980s/90s making it a more modern approach very well suited to present-day mental health conditions.
Unlike many of the earlier cognitive therapies which focus on identifying negative and distressing thoughts, then questioning their ‘validity’ and challenging them (which appeals to logic), ACT seeks to ‘weaken’ distressing and unhelpful thoughts through the use of ‘de-fusion’ and ‘expansion’ techniques.
ACT is also a ‘Mindfulness-based’ psychology, but unlike meditative forms of mindfulness or spiritual practices that can take a long time and much practice to produce helpful results, ACT teaches mindfulness ‘skills’ that can be effective in just a few minutes. And whereas some earlier forms of therapy could sometimes be considered too ‘results focused’, ACT is an extremely kind, gentle and compassionate therapy, helping clients feel understood, supported and valued
Finally, the skills learned and practiced through one-to-one counselling make ACT a resilient and sustainable approach for most modern-day challenges and demands, producing rapid and positive psychological and emotional change.
Are you ready to book a call?
If you feel that you need some help or support just now. Get in touch and one of our counsellors will get back to you as soon as possible.
Complete your details and your message on the form, complete the simple maths sum captcha and hit ‘Send Message’