Meet the team

What started off in 2018 with Dr Louise, we are now a team of five. Our specialisms include

Trauma
Couples therapy
Children’s therapy
LGBTQ issues
Anxiety (including anticipatory anxiety)
OCD
Depression
Relationships
Bereavement
Compassioned focused therapy
CBT
Creative therapy

Dr Louise McDonnell

Working days/evenings – Monday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday.

I am a Chartered Counselling Psychologist. In line with this I am a member of the British Psychological Society and Health & Care Professionals Council. When I started in this career, my original counselling training was Cognitive-Behavioural Therapist (CBT). As a result, CBT continues to inform some of my work, alongside several other theoretical approaches. My special interest is in trauma and I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) for adults and children. EMDR is a highly specialised way of working with trauma and complex trauma. In addition to my academic and clinical training, I have gained extensive experience working with Neurodiversity.

It is over 15 years since I began this journey. As a result I’ve worked in many settings; alternative education & mainstream primary and secondary schools, prison, GP surgeries, Durham university and a number of work place counselling services.

I am interested in how we grow, learn and develop. What makes us resilient, and what causes us conflict.

Before retraining as a counselling psychologist I worked in industry for a decade. I lived in Sweden and then London for many years before returning to the north east.

After almost two decades I still love coming to work. I enjoy engaging in ongoing training so I can offer the most up to date, and informed, service I can.

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

2019 – Level 1 EMDR Europe Child Accredited Core 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

Working day – Tuesday.

I am a counsellor and member of The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). In a journey of more than 15 years I have enjoyed working at Sunderland Mind, Northumbria University, Sunderland Counselling Service, Durham Prison, St. Benedict’s Hospice and GP surgeries. To augment my professional and personal development I continue to attend training events to develop and grow. Over my career I have developed a special interest in mindfulness and continue my training as a Mindfulness Teacher.

As a result, 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. Therefore, I see my role as a facilitator of change by working collaboratively with you. 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. Generally, I work from a person centred perspective, however I integrate other ways of working if it feels appropriate and beneficial.

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

2017 Breathworks – Mindfulness Teacher Training – part 1

2013 Mindfulness in Individual Therapy

2013 Foundation in Mindfulness Stress Reduction

2013 EMDR levels 1 and 2

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

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

2006 – 2007 Counselling Levels 2 and 3

Suzanne Robinson – Accredited Counsellor

Suzanne Robinson

Working – Thursday evening.

I am an accredited member of The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). A local in the area, I have lived in Durham for over 40 years, and chose to raise my family here.

My work as a counsellor began in 1985 as a couples therapist with Sunderland Relate. I then worked in the NHS as a children and young people’s clinician, later moving to work in schools as a school-based social worker/ counsellor. My current role is a counsellor for couples and individuals of all ages. Recently, I 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. With this in mind, my work is centred on helping you to find a way forwards by enabling you to see difficulties in a different light and from a different perspective.

My particular interest is in personal and family relationships, child development and life transitions.

EDUCATIONAL/ PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

I have recently completed a two-year training course in Systemic Family Constellations with the Centre for Systemic Constellations (CSC). .

Diploma in Counselling, New College, Durham 2005

Post-graduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Newcastle/ Durham University, 2001

Diploma in Social Work, New College, Durham, 1998

Post-graduate Certificate in Education, Durham University, 1975

BA Joint Hons in French/ German, Class 11 (i), Bristol University, 1974

Accreditations and affiliations

BACP logo

Tracy Dunning, Counsellor

Tracy Dunning

Working day/evening – Monday.

I am a member of The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Since qualifying I have enjoyed gaining experience in various settings. These settings have enabled me to support children, young people and adults through a wide variety of issues. I am developing special interests in working with anxiety, depression, and LGBTQ inclusion.

My work within school settings, supporting children, has ignited a love for working creatively with clients which I find is of benefit to many clients from all age groups.

I work using an integrative approach. Integrative counselling tailors counselling to you. We work together to ensure sessions are tailored to suit individual needs.

EDUCATIONAL/ PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

International Association for Rewind Trauma Therapy – Rewind Technique 2020

Guided Parent Led CBT for Child Anxiety 2019

NCFE Children & Young People’s Mental Health Level 2 2018

B A (hons) Degree Counselling, University of Sunderland 2017-2018

Foundation Degree Counselling (Core Model CBT), University of Sunderland 2015-2017

Zoe Lane, Counsellor

Zoe Lane –

Working day – Thursday.

I am newly qualified counsellor and member of The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), it is my goal to work toward accreditation with this governing body.

As a Person Centred Counsellor, I believe that given the right conditions any of us can reach our full potential and become our true authentic self. As a result, It is my belief that you are the expert on you and sessions are led by what you bring, not directed by me as the counsellor. It is my job to skilfully work alongside you and provide the right environment for you to find the answers you need.

I have been working as a counsellor in a local, well respected hospice since 2018 and this specialist environment has helped me to develop a strong interest in working with anticipatory grief, and bereavement. This involves supporting those who are nearing the end of their lives, and those who are bereaved. To develop a professional relationship with my clients, to be trusted with your story, is a privilege.

I am also passionate in supporting issues of low self-esteem and identity.

EDUCATIONAL/ PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Foundation Degree in Counselling
New College, Durham
Qualified 2019

Levels 1, 2 & 3 in Counselling skills
New College, Durham
2016- 2017

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