I am Fiona Brewin BSc Dip TA Psychotherapy Registered and Accredited MBACP
My Past
Before I trained as a psychotherapist I worked successfully in retail management and then for many years in marketing in the manufacturing sector, researching new products and bringing them to market.
I experienced all the difficulties of a fast-paced career with the added demands of my partner and family and indeed seemed to thrive on being independent and achieving. I used all my coping strategies to deal with the stresses that this life placed on me coupled with an unsupportive and difficult relationship.
Over time I found that I was anxious, stressed and just miserable, stuck and lonely. With some trepidation I looked for and began a therapeutic process with a psychotherapist. It was a strange feeling at first having another human being follow my mood closely and be openly curious about what was going on for me out there in my life as well as with them. I got a lot of care and nurturing and this felt like my therapist was involved, empathetic and got me.
What was most profound for me was when her care was both curious and challenging. These conversations led to a new sense of ‘seeing myself’. This was difficult for me, and without my therapists real and authentic curiosity and challenge, I’m not sure if I would have had the courage to face myself and change.
I began to notice a new resilience born out of our conversations and reflections. I got a better understanding of and relationship to myself. I became open to changes to protect, love and cherish me. My confidence and self-esteem took on a new energy and I felt good with myself. Yes, I made changes to my life and I now feel alive and thriving….
My Practice
I am a science graduate and further qualified to:
- Registered and Accredited Member MBACP (Certificate of Proficiency)
- 4 year post graduate advanced training in Transactional Analysis leading to Diploma in Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy at Elan Training- a UKATA training centre affiliated to UKCP.
- Certificate in Transactional Analysis (TA 101)
- Certificate in Person Centred Counselling
- Training in Mindfulness
- Training in Somatic Trauma
I am a fully qualified and experienced Psychotherapist and have been in private practice since 2008. I am Registered and Accredited with BACP and my training is in Transactional Analysis. As a member of BACP I adhere to their code of ethics. I integrate other modalities including gestalt, mindfulness, somatic and person-centred psychotherapies. I work in private practice in Bowdon with adults and couples. I have also worked as a counsellor at a busy counselling and family centre in Altrincham, Cheshire where I worked with individuals and groups.
I have regular clinical supervision for my individual and couple work. This is a requirement of BACP and is both for your safety and my effectiveness to help you.
I am committed to providing counselling and psychotherapy in a confidential and non-judgmental environment.
Depending on what your difficulties are and what you want to achieve, I will work with you to an agreed timescale or on an open-ended basis.
You can find me on their BACP Register by searching with WA14 3BA and on the Counselling Directory. I am also find me on LinkedIn
How I work with you
With Transactional Analysis
I am a Transactional Analysis Psychotherapist meaning I sensitively build relationship paying close attention to the relational gaps. From here I focus on exploring the unique structure of your personality, both your strengths and limitations. I delve, when opportune, into difficulties and stuck places…allowing space for these difficult feelings to take shape. I am patient, compassionate, accepting of you and your pace, tolerant and curiously challenging.
I won’t collude with unhelpful ways though I will find a way in to explore these ways. I will authentically confront protective behaviours that resist engagement. I won’t be passive or create dependency.
TA begins with a very simple philosophy ……that people can change and that change is possible.
Transactional Analysis psychotherapy is a popular and easily understood theory of personality and self development. It is also widely used in business and organisations and is a useful tool for exploring ourselves when used collaboratively within a therapeutic relationship with individuals and couples.
TA helps you to understand how you function and how you express your personality in terms of the way you sense, think, attribute meaning, feel and behave. The way you relate to yourself and others becomes clearer and your relationships will improve as you grow and change.
From the moment we are aware of our separateness from our mother, we make our way in the world by making choices that feel right and fit with the ‘People in Charge’. Our early choices help us to fit into and cope with our circumstances. Some of these ways may help us grow and reach our potential and some may hold us back. This becomes apparent as we approach adulthood when symptoms of anxiety and depression debilitate and limit functioning. Self-medication through over work or addiction may add to our dysfunction. As adults we can make new choices and change some old decisions, beliefs and limiting strategies.
With a deeper insight into your early strategies from childhood you can discover how previous life decisions and choices may have limited you. I will help you find and grow new ways of managing feeling, supportive thinking and behaving so that you can change some of those self-limiting old decisions about yourself, others and life in general and promote contentment for who you are.
With Mindfulness
In my work as a therapist I use the skill of Mindfulness for stress reduction, relief
from anxiety, depression, and emotional regulation. Each client will develop their own understanding and experience of what mindfulness is for them.
Paying attention to noticing your sensations, affect, calmness, agitation, heaviness, tension, lightness or numbness is important in the search for self, meaning and love.
“Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way; On purpose, in the present moment” Jon Kabat-Zinn.
Mindfulness is taking control of your mind rather than allowing your mind to be in control of you” Linehan
I work sensitively and gently incorporating mindfulness and transactional analysis to help my clients manage their emotions, feel better about themselves and learn to cope with the stresses of their day to day lives.
I am experienced and trained in helping my clients through your life difficulties and in supporting you to make changes in your life. I am always happy to discuss your needs and answer questions before you commit to a session.
If you would like to find out more please contact me on 07880 668651 or email: fi***@si**************.uk
BACP Accredited & registered therapist, based in Bowdon, offering counselling and psychotherapy services in South Manchester covering Hale, Wilmslow, Altrincham, Timperley, Knutsford and Cheshire areas.
