Deanna Kirby

Hello,

I will have some appointments released for a Saturday from Saturday the 15th March, face to face or online, and on an weekday evening, on a Monday and Thursday at 6pm, online only. I am unavailable on a Sunday.

Further appointments should be released after Easter, so please reach out to see if other dates are better for you.

Hello,

I am glad you are reading this, as it means you have taken the first step in finding a happier and calmer you. 

I know it wasn't easy to do, but you did it! I work in a person-centred way, which means I put you at the centre of our working together. You are the expert in you! I won't provide advice, or tell you what you should do, or feel. I will help you explore your thoughts and feelings, so you can find an answer for yourself. I won't judge you, so you can feel safe to talk about anything you need to. Trust and confidentiality is paramount.

I am an integrative practitioner, so have different strategies I can use to support you. I have had training in many areas, such as sexual abuse, domestic violence, CSA, sibling challenges and more. I have experience working in many different areas, including anxiety/depression/abuses/domestic abuse/rape and sexual assault/baby loss/low self-esteem/living with long-term health conditions. I work with 16 plus.

It may be you are trying to recover from a loss, whether that is a bereavement, job, relationship or health for example. Perhaps you are dealing with anxiety, low mood or depression, or low self-esteem, and want to work through it. You may have experienced abuse, or still are, and want to find ways of moving forward. Exploring how you think and feel about many issues can help you understand yourself. It is that understanding that gives you the confidence to move forward in your life. I am there to support you as you navigate these challenges.

Attending therapy is not easy, you may feel worse before you feel better. It can be hard work to explore painful emotions that may have been buried deep for many years. But I am a great believer that nothing with value is ever easy, and that includes you working on those challenges to come through the other side.

Counselling is focused on learning and understanding yourself to take you forward. This is the best investment you can make for yourself. You are worth it!

Based in Southport, my counselling room is a comfortable light space, with a few car park spaces outside. There are several bus routes that stop nearby. 

In our first session, I explain how we may work together. I will complete an assessment, giving you the opportunity to talk about what brings you to therapy. I can offer a free initial consultation, where you are free to ask questions to help you decide if I am the right therapist for you. It is important you feel safe and comfortable with me to continue. 

If you continue, I will ask you to complete a counselling agreement and explain my data protection policy. The agreement lays out both our rights and responsibilities and covers areas such as confidentiality and cancellations, both from myself and you. You are entitled to copies. We cannot work together if the counselling agreement is not signed by us both as I abide by the Â鶹ԭ´´ Ethical Framework.

I can support you find the right method for you to explore your thoughts and feelings. It may be you find things difficult to talk about, so perhaps prefer to write, or draw. Sometimes music, or literature has the words we want to say but find too difficult. I will be guided by you. I can also provide psychoeducation and signpost you to relevant professionals if needed. 

I use strategies from DBT/EMDR/SFT within my PCT integrative practice.

The number of sessions will depend on what has brought you to therapy and the process. We will review our work regularly to assess our progress. 

You may feel you have done enough, and it is fine to let me know. I will let you know when I can sense we are coming to an end. Sometimes you may want to have a break, reflect on your therapy and return at a later date. However, you can often learn the skills you need to help you with future challenges without therapy. 

Please note: If you are feeling unsafe and have thoughts of ending your life, call 999, or attend your local A and E department. You can also call the Samaritans on 116 123. 

We will complete a mutually agreed counselling agreement and you will complete an assessment. This helps me to understand what has brought you to therapy, and for me to assess if I am the right person for you. I will suggest other therapists if I feel they may be a better fit for you. You too will use this session to see if I am the right person for you to work with. 

The assessment is a Nationally recognised mental health assessment of your current thoughts and feelings and gives you the opportunity to discuss these with me.

Do you feel comfortable with me? Do you feel you can trust me and feel safe? Please ask questions to help you decide.

A initial consultation is free, where you have the opportunity to discuss what brings you to therapy and if you would like to go forward with therapy.