Inspired Counselling ServicesStephen McFarland

A Glimpse Into The inner Sanctum

The 'Inner Sanctum' of Inspired Counselling Services with Stephen is the heartbeat of the counselling relationship. Counselling requires a great deal of trust in the counsellor, how qualified and experienced he is, how he conveys his empathy towards you, how congruent and consistent he is with you, being comfortable and safe to allow him to see the broken parts of yourself. This will ultimately aid your inner healing. I will attempt to aid your trust in me on this page by providing my experience and training, and how counselling with me works.

Stripped back to the basics is the best way for me to explain to clients who have never been to counselling before. You come into the counselling room and sit on a comfortable chair opposite me with a comfortable 'space'. You do not need to lay down on a couch; there will be no 'weird' things happening, therefore you will be aware of everything that is happening. It is a talking therapy, in a safe confidential room one-on-one. The session will last for 50 minutes, we will usually meet every week on the same day and time. Clients can come for 6 weeks and other clients can come for over 4 years, this all depends on the issues, and support outside of the counselling room, this is usually a joint decision by both of us, and never any longer than is beneficial to you as the client.

I am an integrative counsellor who works from a psychodynamic perspective. This means I will use the best methods and approaches to aid your inner healing. The psychodynamic approach is harder to explain, but the aim of psychodynamic psychotherapy is to bring the unconscious mind into consciousness, helping you to unravel, experience and understand your true, deep-rooted feelings in order to resolve them. This happens at your pace and in a way that you are comfortable with as I treat every client as separate and an individual. No two clients will ever follow the same path in counselling with me as we have all different experiences in life and are effected by these experiences differently. Which means we will look into the roots of your problems, therefore dealing with any issues, NOT just finding a way to cope with them.

I have had many clients in my private practice, from 11 years old to elderly, with different issues, different religions, different cultural backgrounds, from different countries. I have had 3 years experience in a homeless hostel. I have over 6 years experience in schools with young people. I hope this makes it clearer for you gaining a glimpse into the Inner Sanctum of my counselling practice.

"I Am Not what Happened To Me, I Am What I Choose To Become."

Training & Qualifications

• Foundation Degree In Counselling with University Of Ulster 2014
• Certificate in Counselling Studies with University of Ulster 2011
• Diploma in Mindfulness
• Diploma in Mindfulness Based CBT
• Christian Mindfulness
• The Foundation for Infant Loss Accredited Counselling Professional Programme
• Child Protection Training
• Understanding Object Relations
• Dissociation and DID: The Fundamentals
• Trauma and the Body: Dissociation & Somatisation
• Working With Ego States and Dissociative Parts
• Creative Techniques - The Use of Miniature Animals
• Supporting the Suicide-Bereaved
• Bereavement Training
• Counselling Young People
• Psychological First Aid Course
• Mental Health First Aid
• A.S.I.S.T. Suicide Training
• Loss and Grief from Chronic and Terminal Illness
• W.R.A.P. Wellness Recovery Action Plan Training
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Self Harm and the Intoxicated Client
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy For Anxiety Disorders
• Trauma Training with BACP
• Working with Trauma
• Polyvagal Trauma Training
  

Counselling For Trauma In Pregnancy Or Infant Loss

Part of my work in counselling is with a parent of children and infant loss, and separately outside of counselling, supporting other mums and dads in many different ways. I also support and help fellow dads in various support groups. As I have personal understanding in this area it is my passion to help other families in this most devastating of times. I have a lot of experience in Miscarriage, Still Birth, Ectopic Pregnancy, Postnatal Depression, Fertility Problems, Fertility Treatments, Pregnancy, Birth. I understand the extremely private and confidential world a woman goes through at this very difficult time. I treat this all with much delicate care and attention.

I have completed further accredited training in this area, with The Foundation Of Infant Loss. This organisation works with hospitals and charities all over the UK, and helps to alleviate some of the extreme pain that a parent goes through at this time.
My personal opinion, is that support in such a devastating and confusing time, in counselling, needs to be by someone who has personal understanding of infant loss. Understanding in this area only comes from a harrowing personal experience. If you know anyone who could benefit from counselling with me, please point them towards me.

I also have extensive experience with fertility treatment, and the pressure this puts on families, especially if they have lost a child previously. I am passionate about helping mummies and daddies, in this area. Daddies can be forgotten about during painful times for mommy. If you know a dad that is struggling at this time, please ask him how he is also. Dads can be expected to be a strong support, whereas I know this is not always possible, and a man needs a lot of support also.

My counselling practice is a safe, understanding environment, to discuss, cry, shout or whatever you need to do, and you will never be judged for it. I care, understand and listen. I will walk beside you in this most extreme emotional time. Thank you for taking the time to read this part of my website. Stephen