Hello and welcome.
I’m Shirley, a qualified integrative counsellor with a 1st Class Honours degree in Integrative Counselling. I am based in Stanton, near Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk.
I volunteered with the Samaritans as a listener for over 17 years, with a short break to have my children. I then worked in the funeral industry in various roles, where my interest in working with people grew. I later joined Suffolk Mind, where I have worked for many years and continue to offer emotional support at night. Although I trained to become a counsellor in my forties, I believe my training began many years earlier.
In these roles, I have been privileged and trusted to sit alongside many wonderful individuals. I am grateful to and have learned so much from each person I have supported through heartache, shame, anxiety, confusion, self-harm, and doubt.
Supporting people in distress or experiencing a multitude of painful emotions is an honour. Through my own life experiences and struggles with anxiety, grief, and loss, as well as my ongoing learning and development, I hope to offer warmth, compassion, and a touch of humour along the way.
Some of my training and experience are listed here but I hold these lightly, as the true work is sitting alongside you in your humanity.
- 17 years Samaritans Listener
- 10 years Funeral Industry in Crematoriums and Funeral Arranging
- 5 years within Suffolk Mind as a volunteer counsellor, SNO emotional Support line operator and with Waves as a group facilitator for clients with a diagnosis or traits of borderline personality disorder.
- Currently a Counsellor for MTCIC supporting Wellbeing clients within the NHS. Working with Health Assured, MCL medics and CIC as a affiliate counsellor on short term solution focused therapy.
- Volunteered with Suffolk Rape Crisis, CRUSE bereavement and Survivors in Transition.
- Qualified with a 1st Class Honours Degree in Integrative Counselling from the University of Suffolk.
I am trained in and use Compassion Focussed therapy, transactional Analysis and DBT and I integrate these regularly within my work.
I am a registered member of the British association of counsellors and psychotherapists, BACP and I have an enhanced DBS.
If you or someone you are concerned for is in crisis then please contact NHS 111 option2 (Mental health) or the Samaritans on 116 123. Both lines are available 24 hours.
Olivine Counselling 