SPH Therapy

Welcome to SPH Therapy

Shaping Public Health

Counselling and therapy for individuals in a safe, comfortable and private setting

As a counsellor my role is to provide space and guidance to help you on your journey to self discovery; to enable you to examine your life and make new, meaningful choices within it. I am an integrative therapist, which means I am empathetic and non-judgemental. I use integrative humanistic, cognitive behavioural, and psychodynamic approaches to provide support.

I am a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy as well as the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society. All counsellors adhere to the Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions. We welcome everyone regardless of sex, colour, ethnic origin, religion, age, race or disability.

Sean Hughes, counsellor in Coleraine, Northern Ireland

How Can Counselling Help You?

Life brings many challenges, and it is understandable that at times we might look for support in facing them. As a counsellor my role is to provide space and guidance to help you on your journey of self-discovery; to enable you to examine your life and make new, meaningful choices within it.

I offer a chance to reflect on the difficulties or problems you are experiencing in a safe and confidential environment, with someone from outside your day-to-day life. Together we can explore your situation in a way that leads to fresh perspectives - and perhaps a new understanding of yourself. Counselling isn’t about giving you solutions or advice, but empowering you to make your own changes.

My Career

My career then led me to work in various Health and Social Care settings for over 20 years throughout the hospital and community. In 2013 - 2016 I became a training and development officer with a leading university in dementia services, delivering international consultancy and advice in the field of dementia services. In 2016 I graduated with a MSc in dementia studies and continued to develop and improve services for people living with dementia and their carers within the United Kingdom and Internationally.

My Experience

Many Life events have given me the experience to explore my own personal qualities/inequalities with the potential to grow and to identify my own strengths and weaknesses. Becoming a therapist has been the highlight of everything I have achieved throughout my personal life and career. Working with large European projects as an internationally recognised expert in health care. I currently work with a suicide prevention charity, which provides counselling and psychotherapy to individuals who are experiencing mental unwellness or have suicidal thoughts and who provide support to families affected by suicide. During my time with this charity, I have provided: crisis response, befriending, advocacy, counselling, psychotherapy, signposting, and delivered training.

My Education

My education and training in counselling began in 2005 when I completed a certificate in counselling with Ulster University. In 2021, as if my life was not busy enough! I began my degree in integrative counselling and psychotherapy. I realised that job satisfaction is knowing your doing something worthwhile, and offer the chance to make a significant difference to someone else's life on a day-to-day basis. Studying helped me develop an excellent personal understanding and empathetic mindset and the ability to work in complex situations.

What is Integrative Counselling?

Counsellors and psychotherapists are trained professionals who will work with you over a period of time to help you develop a better understanding of yourself and of others.

Integrative counselling and psychotherapy allows me to shape my approach to meet your needs. I am dedicated to provide a professional, confidential, and supportive service to overcome obstacles, improve your relationships, and achieve emotional well-being. An Integrative counsellor and psychotherapist is someone who combines different therapeutic approaches and techniques to tailor treatment to meet the unique needs of each individual client. Instead of adhering to just one specific counselling theory or modality, integrative counsellors and psychotherapists draw from a variety of theoretical perspectives and interventions to create a comprehensive and personalised treatment plan.

By integrating elements from different therapeutic approaches, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, psychodynamic therapy, humanistic therapy, and mindfulness-based approaches, integrative counsellors can address a wide range of emotional, psychological, and behavioural issues. This flexibility allows you to adapt your therapeutic strategies to best support your specific goals, preferences, and concerns.

Overall, integrative counsellors and psychotherapists offer a holistic and versatile approach to counselling that can effectively address the complexities of an individual's mental health and well-being.

Supervision:

In counselling and psychotherapy, supervision plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality of clinical practice, I receive regular professional supervision in accordance with practice policy and statutory requirements. Supervision is essential for therapists to enhance their skills, supervision not only improves patient outcomes but also contributes to safe practice among therapists.

Confidentiality: What you discuss with the therapist is confidential to the service. However, there may be times when we need to speak to your GP, Psychiatrist, or another person/professional. We will discuss this with you first. We only break this policy if there is a perceived danger to yourself or others.

I offer online counselling outside the United Kingdom however I am a Northern Ireland/United Kingdom practitioner as such, governed by Northern Ireland Law. This will be contracted with the client, please contact me for further information.

Memory Loss & Dementia Specialist

I have had extensive experience working with people living with memory loss, dementia, as well as working with families and their carers who have been affected by all forms of dementia, including the most common form of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease.

Counselling and psychotherapy for people with memory loss and dementia play a crucial role in improving the psychological well-being and quality of life. Personalised interventions can adapt to the ever-changing needs, ensuring people affected by the disease receive the appropriate support. When it comes to providing counselling and psychotherapy for people living with dementia, an integrative approach plays a crucial role in ensuring that the care and support offered are tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual. As per confidentiality agreement, assessment will be carried out to identify capacity and consent. Please contact us for a free 15 minute consultation.

What issues can counselling help with?

People come to me for help a wide range of issues. Here are a few of the more common difficulties that can be supported through counselling:

Bereavement

Depression

Work Related Issues

Sexuality

Bipolar

People affected by Suicide and Suicide & Prevention

Self Harm

Other issues affecting mental well-being

Carer Support

Advancing Years

Dementia

Feelings of stress or anxiety

Problems with addiction

Trauma

Abuse

Problems with family life

I offer a range of services, including:

In Person face-face - Individual Counselling

Home Appointments (Based on Assessment of Need and Availability )

Online Counselling Services

My location

I provide face to face counselling in in Coleraine which is easily accessible from the surrounding areas such as Belfast, Antrim, Ballymena, and Derry/Londonderry. Working online also allows me to work with people on a greater scale.

Fees

Sessions last 50 minutes, usually taking place on a weekly basis, and cost £50 per session. I also provide a limited number of spaces for those on low-income.

Contact me to enquire about availability. initial assessment appointments last around 70 minutes.

Note that if you want to cancel an appointment i require 48hrs notice; otherwise you will still need to pay for any sessions missed. I accept payment by cash, bank transfer, or card.

Get in touch

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how counselling works, or to arrange an initial assessment appointment. This enables us to discuss the reasons you are thinking of coming to counselling, whether it could be helpful for you and whether I am the right therapist to help.

You can also call me on 07861148937 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.

All enquires are usually answered within 24 hours, and all contact is strictly confidential and uses secure phone and email services.

Frequently asked questions

I have over 20 years experience working in health and social care. When choosing a counsellor or psychotherapist, there are several considerations to keep in mind based on the information provided in your search results. I am an integrative counsellor and psychotherapist, which is someone who combines different therapeutic approaches and techniques to tailor treatment to meet the unique needs of each individual client. Instead of adhering to just one specific counselling theory or modality, integrative counsellors and psychotherapists draw from a variety of theoretical perspectives and interventions to create a comprehensive and personalised treatment plan.

By integrating elements from different therapeutic approaches, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, psychodynamic therapy, humanistic therapy, and mindfulness-based approaches, integrative counsellors can address a wide range of emotional, psychological, and behavioural issues. This flexibility allows them to adapt their therapeutic strategies to best support each client's specific goals, preferences, and concerns.

Don't hesitate to ask any questions about my approach, experience, and expertise.

Which option is most suitable depends on the client and the difficulties they are facing. In some cases counselling works well as an ongoing, longer-term option - or therapy can manage to resolve an issue in just a few sessions.

Everything that is said within the counselling room is private - this is one of the main ways counselling and therapy differ from talking to a friend or relative. Once you are comfortable with the format of weekly sessions and the safe space they provide, you will find the freedom to speak in confidence is of great value.

Note that there are some situations where you may be a risk to yourself or others, and there the law requires that I notify an authority; in these cases I may not be able to keep total confidentiality. Breaking confidentiality is very rare though, and only happens after the person concerned has been informed.

I find fulfilment in helping others navigate challenges, supporting them in their personal growth, and witnessing their progress. The ability to offer empathy, guidance, and support to individuals is often cited as a rewarding aspect of being a counsellor. Additionally, the opportunity to make a positive impact on people's lives and contribute to their well-being can be deeply satisfying.

When choosing a therapist check out my style and qualifications, do they match your needs and goals? I believe a counsellor or psychotherapist should be well-suited to support you on your health journey.

I am a counsellor and psychotherapist who demonstrates honesty, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard. I value your progress and believe in your ability to grow, and I believe I can create a supportive and empowering therapeutic environment.

How long a period of counselling lasts 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.

Before we begin any work we will agree on the number of sessions we’ll undertake, and at the end of that number review our progress. As long as we both agree further therapy will be of benefit to you, sessions can continue.

My aim is to offer a first appointment - known as an initial assessment - within 1-2 weeks. Then we would arrange a set number of counselling sessions to take place at the same time every week, that is convenient for you and where I have availabity. How quickly these sessions can begin will depend on the availabity of that free ‘slot’.

Counselling and Psychotherapy, Northern Ireland