Welcome to Changes Counselling Services Wirral
A confidential space to explore changes you are trying to cope with or those you are wanting to make.
About Me
Hello, I'm Margaret Miller and welcome to my website!
I have an interest in mental health, human behaviour and a desire to support people through life's challenges. This initially this led me to study psychology, then to a career in social work and most recently to train as a therapist.
As a therapist I hold a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in counselling and psychotherapy practice and have achieved accredited status with the British Association Forcounselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). I work with individual adults and I am able to offer shorter term counselling or longer term psychotherapy. I have experience of therapeutically supporting people with a wide variety of issues such as anxiety, depression, bereavement, unresolved childhood experiences, relationship difficulties, work related stress, low self-esteem and coping with sudden life changes.
In addition to working with people who contact me directly, I am an affiliate counsellor with several Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and I am also recognised by, and able to undertake therapeutic work funded by AXA, Aviva, Vitality and WPA.
I hope you find the answers to any questions you may have about how I work on this website, if not please don't hesitate to contact me.
Qualifications
- Post Graduate Diploma (PGDip) in Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice, with Distinction (Level 7)
- Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapeutic Skills and Theory (CBT-Level 5)
- Certificate in Counselling Skills (Level 3)
- Certificate in Solution Focused Therapy Essentials (Level 2)
- Certificate of Qualification in Social Work (CQSW)
- Psychology (BA Hons)
Professional Commitment
- Accredited registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) abiding by their Ethical framework.
- Professional insurance in place.
- Enhanced DBS check.
- Registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
Approaches to Therapy
Life can certainly feel overwhelming at times, particularly in relation to changes we are trying to cope with, or those we are wanting to make. Even if we have support from family or friends, they may want to advise us or to solve what they see as our problems, without acknowledging our experiences and feelings. It may also be hard for us to tell those we care about how difficult our feelings really are, as we don't want to cause them upset and concern.
As a therapist then, I am able to offer you a confidential, unbiased, professional relationship within which we can explore your concerns and work towards the outcomes you are seeking. My way of working is underpinned by therapeutic training in the person-centred, cognitive behavioural (CBT) and solution focused (SFT) approaches.
Person-Centred Therapy
Just like the butterfly, this approach suggests that everyone has the natural capacity to change and grow to achieve their full potential, given the right conditions. In life however, as these conditions may not be readily available, the counselling relationship aims to provide them. It does this by offering the genuine, understanding and non-judgemental space required to effectively explore and process your concerns.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy suggests anxiety, low moods and a range of other concerns can be explored and “mapped out” in a structured way by looking at the relationship between your thoughts, feelings and behaviours to promote your self-awareness. The use of a variety of techniques then is possible both within and outside of sessions to offer you the opportunity to make changes to address the problems you are experiencing.
Solution-Focused Therapy
Solution-Focused Therapy offers you an opportunity to focus on the future, solutions and how you want your life to look. It shifts your focus from problems, what’s not worked for you and the past. It encourages you to set goals and to work towards them, to identify and nurture your existing strengths that can support you to grow and move forwards.
Why You Might Seek Counselling
You may want to feel less anxious, less depressed and more able to cope with life. Or you may want to develop more self-confidence or to feel less overwhelmed.
You may want to feel able to do what's right for you for a change and not just what you think others expect you to do.
You may be unhappy with your current life and situation and want to explore how to move towards a future that you want.
You may want to feel less "stuck", emotionally numb or trapped in cycles of unhelpful thoughts and behaviours.
You may want to explore significant changes in your life that are troubling you such as bereavements and health conditions or in your relationships, identity and work life.
You may want to process experiences from earlier in your life that feel as if they are shut away in a metaphorical "box" but nevertheless continue to overshadow your ability to live in the present moment.
You may just have a growing feeling that you need to talk..... with no idea yet as to what it really is that’s troubling you or what you need to change in your life
Contact Me
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how I work, or to arrange a free 15 minute discussion. This will enable us to clarify the reasons you are thinking of seeking therapeutic support and also to establish whether I am the right person to offer you this support.
You can also call me on 07453 257 578 if you would prefer to leave a message or speak to me first. I am happy to discuss any queries or questions you may have prior to arranging an initial appointment.
Location
Face to face therapy sessions take place at the comfortable, accessible therapy rooms at Heswall Hills Counselling Centre on the Wirral.
Online sessions are offered using Zoom and are available to people throughout the UK. I also offer telephone sessions.
Fees & Availability
I offer a free 15 minute, no commitment, telephone or online discussion to anyone considering therapy with myself.
All sessions are £55 and are 50 minutes in duration.
Availability:
Thursday - 9am- 6pm
Friday - 9am- 6pm
I also may at times have some limited availability on a Wednesday afternoon- please contact me to confirm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
Counselling is usually a good way to help with a current problem; something that can be discussed and - hopefully - resolved within a limited number of sessions. Over a certain number of weeks the understanding of the problem improves and a way forward becomes clear.
Psychotherapy often describes work that goes a bit deeper, towards more substantial life issues and problems having a deeper effect on the client's life. Psychotherapy often requires a longer-term approach, so the number of sessions can be open-ended.
How long will I need to have sessions?
How many sessions are needed will vary from person to person and depend on the depth of the issues they are facing. For some people a couple of sessions helps to bring their problems into focus, and they feel ready to move forward; other problems may require more of an open-ended approach.
I regularly review with clients how helpful the sessions are feeling to them and I welcome honest feedback. This also enables us to remain focused on the outcomes they are seeking, to identify if these have changed and to reflect on progress made.
How often do sessions happen?
In order for sessions to be most effective, meeting initially on a weekly basis gives clients the opportunity to set out their concerns and for us to get a good shared understanding of these, to inform our work together. As sessions progress clients may feel meeting less frequently gives them the chance to employ strategies we have discussed or for self-reflection before the next session. When meeting less than weekly I always ensure clients know, that whilst I will try, I may not have availability in my diary to offer a regular day and time for their future sessions.
What to expect at my first session?
Before your first session we will have had a brief telephone or online discussion. This will have confirmed that I am able to support you with your concerns and also that you would like to work with me. You will have been sent a copy of the contract for our work together that outlines not only administrative details but also my professional commitment to you.
Your first session will be different to future sessions. It will be more structured allowing us to discuss and agree the above contract, before moving on to gather information that is relevant to your concerns. Usually this will relate to exploring a little of what life feels like for you at the moment, how long you have felt this way, the outcomes you would like to achieve and details of any other support you are currently accessing. Your first session also allows us to check in on any risk factors that may be affecting you.
In a nutshell, your first session gives us the opportunity to agree a starting point and some initial direction for our work together.