(MBACP (Accred), PGDip, CPsychol)
“Each new journey begins in the here and now”
-The counselling you may be looking for.
Are you looking for help in the form of talk therapy in difficult times? Are you struggling with anxiety, or depression? Do you have relationship difficulties? Do you have low self-esteem or suffer from work or family related stress? Do you feel a need to get to know yourself better?
My version of talk therapy
I promise I will be able to attend to you in a friendly, professional and safe way. My practice is based on a humanistic/person centred approach which means that being non-judgemental and empathic lie at the core of my stance towards you. It also means that the work is informed by the view that each individual is recognised and respected as unique, both in their personhood as well as in their circumstances. Paramount to me is the value of the relationship we develop through which we co-create a way of working which lets me hear all what you need me to hear around the experience of what it is like to be you and what you need from me to allow for the experience of change.
What may bring you to Counselling
We are all capable of experiencing feelings we find distressing or behavioural patterns we struggle with, or even ‘just’ a general sense of unease, or lack of self-esteem and confidence. It might be that you feel out of sync with the world or with yourself accompanied by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, isolation, guilt, depression, anxiety or stress, or even simply the recurring thought that there is somehow more to you then what you presently sense. Whatever is prompting you towards counselling this is a meaningful and courageous first step!
How I aim to support you in a therapeutic setting
A central part of my philosophy of practice is that freedom of choice can always be made available to us, no matter how challenging our particular circumstances may seem. What this means is that change, even in the form of a more comfortable sense of acceptance, are always possibilities for any of us. What I offer is a trust-based space where an empathic and affirmative relationship allows you the freedom to explore a deeper sense of yourself. A relationship where I can help you explore your lived experience in an open and healing way.
When we listen to the other with the only goal of really trying to grasp what is puzzling, saddening or disturbing, where both judgement and our own agenda are absent, this can be powerfully restorative. My aim is to help you throw new light on your lived experience and help you create new meaning by assisting you to describe and explore rather than for me to ‘treat’ or ‘cure’ whatever the issues are presenting. My counselling work is to aims to help you find out more about who you are in relation to both yourself and in relation to others.
The areas of counselling I have experience with include:
- Anxiety
- Abuse
- Cultural differences
- Depression
- Sadness
- Sexuality
- Anger Issues
- Bullying
- Carer support
- Co-dependency
- Loneliness
- Relationships
- Stress
- Low self-esteem
- Self-harm
- Asperger’s Syndrome
- Perfectionism
- Identity displacement and belonging
- Career support
- Hearing voices
- LGBTQ friendly
- Attachment Issues
Experience
Having grown up in The Netherlands I have a keen interest in multi-cultural experiences and belongingness.
I hold Post-Graduate degrees in Counselling (BACP), Mental Health Practice (NHS), I am a chartered psychologist (BPS). Outside my private practice in my volunteer counselling roles in national and local charities I support NHS staff and people working in Education, family members of people using a drug and alcohol service, as well as college students.
Qualifications
- Postgraduate Diploma in Humanistic Therapeutic Counselling (Distinction)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Mental Health Practice
- Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol, BPS, since 2009)
- PhD Developmental Psychology
- MA Mass Communications
- BSc Psychology and Sociology
Client Testimonials
“Mike was extremely professional and understanding. I feel that I am more able to manage in my current situation and that speaking to someone who is objective to the issues I face allowed me to begin to view things more clearly for what they were. This helped me begin my healing in terms of finding strategies to deal with my issues. KeyLink client 21/07/20
“I just wanted to say thank you. You were an incredible presence in my life at the time and I was very sorry when our sessions finished early but it was enormously beneficial for me to spend some time with you” Pavilions client 12/10/21
“A massive thank you to Mike, you have helped me so much through a difficult period as well as giving me tools and strategies to use in the future. I would certainly recommend you”. Private client 3/12/20
“My counselling was an absolute positive for me in stepping my way forward to better health, as I had dipped. Mike , was a so helpful in every manner of support, with out of the box fresh ideas and a genuine all round wonderful guy, he gave me hope when I needed it and he was acutely disciplined to assisting me with hard aspects of my life and l cannot thank him enough.” Private client 15/3/21
“Mike has been a valued member of Key Link Counsellors, giving his time generously to support numerous Key Workers throughout the pandemic. His commitment and willingness to support key workers speaks to what Key Link was set up to do – help those helping us. And his help has been appreciated, with many of his clients expressing to us their gratitude for his kindness and help during this difficult time. Founder, Key Link Counsellors”
Getting started/Fees
I offer a FREE phone consultation (lasting around 20 minutes) to discuss what is bringing you to therapy and to explore how we may work together.
For ongoing sessions my fees are £50 for in person session (please see below), and £50 for Online (Zoom or Phone) counselling sessions. I have a limited number of concessionary slots available, and can be paid by bank transfer.
Each session is 50 mins long, usually once a week, at the same time.
Please feel free to ask any questions either by phone or email.
Contact Mike Van Duuren
Tel: 07376 863123
Email: mikevanduuren.counselling@nullgmail.com
Practice address:
Mike Van Duuren MBACP (Accred)
Unique Mind Therapy Rooms,
75 Church Road,
Hove,
East Sussex
BN3 2BB
