Meet the team

Founded by Dr Louise McDonnell in Durham to offer therapy sessions to adults, young people and children, Talk Durham has grown to offer additional services including counselling from hand-picked practitioners.

Dr Louise McDonnell

As a chartered counselling psychologist, I have completed a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology. I qualified as a Cognitive-Behavioural Therapist (CBT) prior to my doctoral training. I am also trained in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) which is a highly specialised way of working with trauma and complex trauma.

I also have a strong interest in the impact of the social and familial context in which individuals grow and develop and the interaction between internal and external processes. I believe it is the complexities of our internal narrative and external expectations which hamper our ability to adapt to change.

I have a special interest in trauma, identity and the impact of life transitions.

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

2015 – 2018 Taught Doctorate in Counselling Psychology, Teesside University.
2016 – EMDR levels 1, 2 & 3
2012 – 2013 Masters in Psychology, Sunderland University.
2010 – 2011 BA (Hons) Counselling, Sunderland University.
2008 – 2009 Foundation Degree Counselling (Specialising in CBT), Sunderland University, 2:1.
2006 – 2007 Levels 2 & 3 Counselling, Sunderland University.

I have an extensive and ongoing portfolio of CPD, current enhanced DBS, professional indemnity insurance and evidence of 40 hours of personal therapy undertaken in 2016/17.

MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS

HCPC Registered
British Psychological Society (No. 350066) associate member.

Health and Care Professionals Council (membership number PYL36742).

Michael Steel, Counsellor

Michael Steel

I am a registered BACP counsellor with many years’ experience. As part of my training and general practice I have worked in a number of organisations which include Sunderland Mind, Northumbria University Student Service and Sunderland Counselling Service. I have worked in different settings which include Durham Prison, St. Benedict’s Hospice and GP surgeries. To augment my professional and personal development I have attended numerous training events to develop my mindfulness practice. I am currently a part qualified Mindfulness Teacher.

Mindfulness and compassion inform both my personal and professional life. I am aware that when we struggle with our mental health we quite often become unkind to ourselves. I see it as my role to be a facilitator of change and work collaboratively with the client. To that end I see the therapeutic relationship as fundamental to creating an environment to allow you the space to explore the difficulties you are experiencing. I generally work from a person centred perspective, however I integrate other ways of working if it feels beneficial for the client.

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

2006 – 2007 Counselling Levels 2 and 3

2007 – 2009 Foundation Degree Counselling – (Core Model CBT)

2010 – 2011 BA (Hons) Degree Counselling, University of Sunderland 2:1

2013 EMDR levels 1 and 2

2013 8 week Foundation in Mindfulness Stress Reduction

2013 Mindfulness in Individual Therapy

2017 Breathworks – Mindfulness Teacher Training – part 1

Suzanne Robinson – Accredited Counsellor

Suzanne Robinson – working on line only

I have lived in Durham for over 40 years and have brought up my family here. I have been working in the therapeutic world since 1985 as a young people’s social worker/therapist for the NHS and in schools, as a family mediator and as a counsellor for couples and individuals of all ages. Recently, I have completed a two-year training course as a facilitator in family systemic constellation practice.

I consider myself to be a caring and thoughtful therapist who can offer acceptance and understanding when working with people experiencing personal and interpersonal issues. My hope is that I can help people to find their way forwards by enabling them to see their difficulties in a different light and from a different perspective.
I have a particular interest in personal and family relationships, child development and life transitions.

EDUCATIONAL/ PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

BA Joint Hons in French/ German, Class 11 (i), Bristol University, 1974
Post-graduate Certificate in Education, Durham University, 1975
Diploma in Social Work, New College, Durham, 1998
Post-graduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Centre for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Plummer Court, Newcastle/ Durham University, 2001
Diploma in Counselling, New College, Durham 2005

I have recently completed a two-year training course in Systemic Family Constellations with the Centre for Systemic Constellations (CSC), based in London and Bristol. I am currently acting as a support for teachers and students undertaking the CSC Applied Training course for people interested in becoming family systemic constellation facilitators.

Accreditations and affiliations

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