EPCounselling
Counselling and support for better mental health and improved wellbeing
Supporting the wellbeing of international professional staff and their families.
I am a British Pychotherapist with many years experience working in an international context . I am passionate about helping people to live well and to thrive; especially when working in difficult or challenging locations.
Liz Pycroft
Counsellor, Psychotherapist, Supervisor and Trainer
I am a Registered and Accredited BACP member and provide face to face, Skype and online therapy for individuals and families who are experiencing stress, anxiety or depression during transitions; or who want support to navigate through change and upheaval.
I am highly empathic to people experiencing transitions or major life changes; or who have to make difficult choices or decisions for themselves or their families. I have spent the last 20 years living and working between the UK and South Africa, Nigeria, Thailand, DRC, Sudan and recently back to Nigeria,
I also provide individual counselling for humanitarian and development professionals; living and working in developing counties has made me very aware of the effects of stress on front line humanitarian workers and people working in international and development organisations. I have undertaken research and written about the mental health effects of humanitarian work.
I have also educated and supported trainee counsellors, trained trauma therapists and provided training, facilitation and organisational support in the sector. This support includes training on the effects of stress and vicarious trauma; group facilitation and Psychological First Aid. My organisational clients have included UNICEF, UNHCR, IOM, UNOPS, Embassies, International Schools and INGOs
I am an Associate with Thrive Worldwide
My Approach
I take an Integrative approach to Counselling. My core training is Humanistic but I integrate other perspectives and techniques in order to meet the needs of my clients.
With some clients, especially young people, I take a Cognitive Behavioural approach which can assist them to develop practical tools to overcome specific problems.
Counselling provides a safe and confidential space where you can focus on discussing experiences and emotions that are of concern to you. The aim is for you to gain awareness of the possibilities for making meaningful changes to your life and to examine the choices that are available to you.
Counselling is a collaborative process and we will work closely together on the issues you bring, to enable you to find the best course of action for you. I will not tell you what to do or give you advice, but at times will encourage you to challenge yourself and your previously held thoughts and beliefs.
The therapeutic relationship is at the heart of good counselling. Insight, growth and change can be nurtured through a close therapeutic relationship in which the client feels valued and safe.
Services
Please explore the options below and contact me if you would like more information or to enquire about rates.
Individual Counselling
Confidential one on one support
Sometimes we just want to talk to someone. No matter what choices we have made or where life has taken us, it can help to reflect on our individual wellbeing and on our relationships to gain clarity and understanding.
Working in conflict affected States can be highly rewarding, but can also create many challenges and stresses. At times these may feel overwhelming and you may find it helpful to talk to someone who has lived and worked in similar contexts for many years and understands the challenges you face.
Living in a different culture or community can be wonderful and exciting; but it can also create anxiety, fear of difference, isolation and depression. It can be useful to talk to a professional who understands the international, expatriate experience.
Often people find it helpful to talk about the impact that humanitarian work has had on them and their families.
I provide support to anyone who is experiencing depression, anxiety, stress, burn - out or is just looking for a place to talk about their individual concerns; no matter where you live or work.
Contact me to find out more and to discuss rates.
Remote & Online Counselling
Remote counselling provides consistent support no matter where you are based.
Some people find it valuable to explore and communicate difficult and complex emotions by writing them down. Online counselling can be an opportunity to reflect on and explore experiences, thoughts and feelings in your own time and space.
Skype, Zoom and email counselling can provide support when other support may not be easily accessible. I have provided remote support to people working in the deep field.
In order to maintain your well-being and to prevent burnout; in order to remain resilient to the effects of the work you do; it is important to develop good self care strategies.
A key factor in personal resilience is being able to recognize when you need support and being prepared to seek it out. Accessing support in this way is for anyone who feel the effects of their work and lifestyle, not just for those experiencing trauma or crisis.
Zoom, Skype and email Counselling is available to anyone who wishes to access support remotely, whatever their reason.
Find out more by getting in touch
Training
Building Personal Resilience
Training interventions aim to address the effects of personal, organizational and situational indicators of stress which, individually or in combination, may have a negative impact on organizational performance and individual well-being.
Trainings focus on the effects of Vicarious Trauma and on promoting Self Care and Personal Resilience.
Personal Resilience sessions are designed to help staff identify personal stress factors and common work related stress issues, and how to work on these issues in a productive way. The sessions emphasis is on how to identify the personal strategies one needs to put in place in order to mitigate the effects of work related stress.
The outcomes of these session are improved awareness of the effects of stress; improved skills in managing personal experience of stress; people feel more resilient and able to identify areas of personal strengths and vulnerabilities; they feel supported and better able to cope.
If you are a Manager or a Staff Welfare Officer please get in touch to discuss options.
Consultancy
Tailored Services to meet the well being needs of your staff.
Flexible services to help individuals, teams and organisations to manage the effects of stress and to develop good self care.
Individual case consultations. Individual Stress Management sessions Psychological First Aid; Crisis support
and ongoing Trauma support.
Team Stress Management sessions. Team facilitation. Team debriefings.
Please contact me if you would like to discuss any other requirements you or team may have.
Clinical Supervision
Supporting counsellors to develop reflective practise
I can provide Skype and face to face supervision if you are practising in a field where you are working with vulnerable clients.
Clinical supervision safeguards clients, nurtures developing practitioners and protects the counselling profession as a whole by ensuring ethical and skilled practice.
My supervision model is flexible and takes into account the context of your work, the client issues you are working with, your theoretical perspective and your level of experience and expertise.
Supervision offers a trusting relationship which can support the development of your professional competencies and confidence and enhance your clinical practice
When counsellors are able to acknowledge and explore their own personal and professional views, beliefs and experiences they may be able to create closer and more authentic connections to the client work; so that their work is reflective and intentional .
I have a Post Graduate qualification in Clinical Supervision - please get in touch if you would like to find out more.
Relevant Qualifications & Experience
Certificate in Counselling
BSc First Class Hons. Psychology
BACP Accredited Graduate Diploma, Counselling
MA Counselling & Psychotherapy Studies
General Certificate in Online Counselling (CPCAB)
Post Graduate Certificate in Clinical Supervision
EMDR
Family and Couples Counselling
CPD to regularly update my skills. Including CBT and Trauma focussed therapies.
I have worked in a range of counselling and mental health organisations providing services to Individual Adults, Couples, and to Young People.
I have provided organisational support to UNICEF, IOM, UNHCR, UNOPS, MONUSCO, the EU and other organisations working in international development.
I have provided case consultations, supervision and training for International schools in DRC and Sudan.
I have been involved in crisis response teams providing Psychosocial support to humanitarian staff responding to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa and recently to the conflicts in Sudan and South Sudan.
Client Testimonials
I value Liz’s therapy sessions a lot, it is so helpful to have someone who understands the international lifestyle, especially in places where life is more difficult than others. It allows for a focus on the actual issues, rather than trying to explain life choices to a Counsellor who doesn’t have experience with it.