Ali Dolphin
Founder and director of Mindful Solace
I initially trained as an occupational therapist and have worked in healthcare for 30 years. My specialism is in psychological and emotional wellbeing, having continued with post-graduate training in cognitive behavioural therapy, neuro-linguistic programming and hypnotherapy. My ongoing training is in acceptance and commitment therapy and compassion focussed therapy. My passion is to empower you to achieve the quality of life that you want and equip you with skills to achieve your goals. People tell me that I have an empathetic approach to individual therapy and a dynamic approach to group work.
Following 12 years as a foster carer, 20 years of youth work, running children’s groups and leading youth camps, plus 25 years of leadership and pastoral care, I have gathered a wealth of experiences to equip me to understand others. Now that my children have grown up, I enjoy travelling and creative hobbies. I enjoy cycling, hiking and spontaneous activities with friends and family and generally having fun.
Jo Keane: Humanistic counsellor and Laughter Coach
I have specialist knowledge in domestic abuse and have worked with survivors of abuse and trauma for the last 10 years. Previously I have worked with homeless young people, worked in various refuges and worked with organisations such as Dorset Action on Abuse and Dorset Rape Crisis. I currently work with male and female survivors of domestic abuse, running courses to increase confidence, self-esteem and assertiveness. I am also a trainer for Enough Abuse helping people to understand how sexual abuse is perpetrated and what behaviours to look for in those who want to cause harm.
I can offer long or short term therapy to suit you. I work with a person-centred basis which means that I place a great deal of importance on developing a counselling relationship to ensure you feel secure and in control which helps us unpick any issues that are troubling you. I also use CBT tools and techniques to help you consider your thought process, emotions and behaviours which increase and maintains your mental well-being. CBT is highly effective in managing stress and anxiety especially in the work environment.
Mindi Kane: Counsellor
I have been working as a counsellor with both adults and young people since 1997. My approach to counselling is person-centred, relaxed and creative. Prior to working as a counsellor I worked in complimentary medicine, which had become my chosen career as I had developed an interest in anything that made me well. I had been suffering with many health issues since the age of 17, when I’d had major abdominal surgery three times in the space of two months. I have experience and empathy working with people with bowel disorders - I.B.S., I.B.D. Colitis, Crohn’s etc.
Whilst working in complimentary medicine and researching the many effects of environmental stresses and allergies on the body, I realised that many of my clients really needed to talk about their problems and that I was a good listener. I soon discovered that many of them recovered from various illnesses and pains when they made the changes to their lives that we had discussed in our sessions. It was at this point I decided to train as a professional counsellor.
Experience has shown me that it is important to spend time on the past, but not to dwell on it. I am keen to work with my clients on finding new goals and ways to move on to a brighter future. “What do you want to be better or different”. We cannot change the past, but we can decide and work towards the future we would like. We all need a dream; without something positive to focus on we often tend to focus on what has gone wrong and what could go wrong and instead of working towards a positive goal we stay locked in the past.
So! Whilst you will find on most counsellors’ sites a list of things they work with, for example depression, anxiety, self esteem, abuse, eating disorders etc., I am choosing to focus on the positive and what you can change to move towards what makes you happy. That will include working on those things that stop you from achieving your goals and following your dreams.
My aim is to provide a safe and supportive, relaxed and confidential space for you to explore feelings and emotions that are causing you to experience stress and to help you see how to move forwards and to look at what stops you from living the life you want to live.
I am a holistic therapist and qualified in a number of disciplines. I do not advocate any one particular approach to counselling, preferring to treat you as a whole person; this can mean a combination of therapies which I will suggest if and when appropriate. For example, I am a qualified Bach Flower Remedy Practitioner (you may have heard of Rescue Remedy, one of the Bach Flower products used in times of stress and anxiety) and if appropriate I will ask if you would like to take some prescribed remedies to support your counselling.
I am passionate about my work and I enjoy watching my clients grow in confidence and becoming happier in their daily lives. My life has been full of challenges, each challenge has led me to learn new skills and enabled me to be more empathic with my clients.
As for other areas of discussion, nothing shocks me anymore, having worked for so many years with clients who have suffered from abuse, health issues, work related stress, relationship problems and having worked with young people I have developed patience and know how important it is to take the time to build a strong trusting relationship.
I am a member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) and adhere to their framework. Details can be found at www.bacp.co.uk
How many counsellors does it take to change a light bulb? ……… One…. but the light bulb really has to want to change :-)
My qualifications (to counselling):
Diploma in counselling, MBACP
Registered, qualified practitioner in Bach Flower Remedies
Qualified Hypnotherapist Dip. M.I.N.T
Qualified Reiki teacher and practitioner