I qualified as counsellor/psychotherapist in 2000. My first therapeutic work was working with survivors of domestic violence both adults and children. My interesting in working non verbally lead me to studying translating person-centred art therapy, which enable me to work with both adults and children in communicating their feelings is a non verbal way.
Combining all this work, I then moved on to be the clinical director at a children’s charity called Youthreach where I worked coordinating therapeutic service's for young people aged 13-25. At the same time I also took a position in teaching counselling at Lewisham College, where I also gained my Cert Ed. The work at Youthreach also gave me the opportunity to study to become qualified as a clinical supervisor as well.
After 5 year of recognising the increasing challenge of mental health for young people I then took a position to create a therapeutic unit in a Kent Pupil Referral Unit, working with the most socially deprived children to gain enough good mental health to remain in education. This would enable a better outcome in future life, both for mental and physical health. The unit incorporated different types of therapies from counselling and psychotherapy to Art and Drama therapy. We even discovered that reflexology was really effective for teenage boys - often touch was something they missed from parents, as They grew older.
Needing a change from working with children in 2009, I went to work with RNIB (Royal National Institute for Blind and Partially Sighted People), where my challenge was to develop an already successful telephone counselling project, to enable the embedding of volunteers, as well as providing national coverage across the 4 Nations. As technology was developing at an exponential rate, we decided to integrate online counselling which became a phenomenal success. By using video conferencing, instant messaging and email, we have created a blended model that enables the organisation to offer therapeutic support to people who are affected by sight loss in a way that suits them.
During my career I was also Chair of BACP (2011-14) and Secretary of the International Association of Counselling (2012-14). I gained a good understanding of how counselling and psychotherapy works across the world, and in many cultures. The transcultural element of my work has been a strong foundation across my clients of all ages.
Using all of the above experience, I now feel very committed to offer online therapy in either video conferencing, email or instant messaging for people age 13 and above (Read more about how this works on Therapy page). I also offer clinical supervision to counsellors and psychotherapy in the same format (Read more about this under Supervision Services).
© 2024 Amanda Hawkins, All rights reserved.
Web Design by 
Resknow
