About
Hello, my name is Scott Carter-Dowding, and I am a fully trained therapist with a 1st class honours degree in counselling. I initially trained as a humanistic therapist in Person-Centred counselling, and still hold the importance of the client/counsellor relationship at the core of my practice. I am a registered member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy), as well as an accredited Solution Focused Brief Therapist by APT (The Association for Psychological Therapies).
My belief is that by providing a safe, accepting, and compassionate environment for my clients, they can explore their deepest personal experiences, and confront their negative thoughts, emotions, and behaviours with courage and support.
As people are all individuals, and there is no 'one size fits all' approach to therapy, I have undergone further training in psychodynamic, behavioural, and trauma informed theories, which have allowed me to broaden my practice, encompassing an integrative approach consisting of a combination of techniques, allowing me to tailor my practice to meet my clients' specific needs and goals.
As a therapist, I feel my strength lies in my own self-awareness and courage to support clients through their most challenging times, whether that's through exploring traumatic experiences, emotional despair, or existential crisis.
My approach can be quite challenging and uncomfortable, as I believe confronting internal conflict through vulnerability leads to courage and autonomy, however, my clients well being is always at the forefront of my practice, and promoting a safe environment is paramount to my approach.
If you feel I may be the right therapist for you, or you would like to arrange a free initial consultation to answer any questions you may have, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
My Story
Through my own life experiences and personal counselling journey, I have seen first-hand what it takes to overcome traumatic experiences, and distressing life challenges. I decided to retrain as a counsellor 5 years ago due to my own therapeutic experience and witnessing what the power of counselling can promote. I previously worked in the construction industry for over 20 years, which I believe allows me to bring a unique perspective to every session and client interaction, as it allows me to draw on my own learning from an influential working environment to provide practical solutions to the emotional struggles many of us face.
With a background founded in traumatic experience, an extensive education in integrative therapy underpinned by humanistic theory, a first class BA Honours degree in counselling, five years experience within the counselling profession, a dedication to continued professional development, and over 1000 client hours working with an array of client issues, I believe that whatever a client is going through, I have the experience to be able to help support them in achieving their goals and psychological growth.