Banish the Crows offers counselling and psychotherapeutic services that are not typically defined or limited by psychiatric or other medical diagnoses. That is to say, we work with and prize the person and not the label.
We offer short-term counselling therapy, longer-term psychotherapy, and existential coaching – an attitude and method of working designed to assist clients in responding dynamically to the dilemmas of living and working towards a changed or different existence. The existential precept being that our identity isn’t fixed and instead we become who we are through the choices we make in life. Our counselling and psychotherapeutic frame is also informed by this dynamic and liberating view.
The service is for all people. Those who identify themselves, culturally, as male or female; as neither or both genders (non-binary); people born with any of several variations in sex characteristics (intersex), and people whose gender is not the same as the sex they were assigned at birth (trans) are specifically welcome. People whose physical ability is challenged are welcome – access to services at St. James House is disability friendly and our premises are located on the ground floor.
Counselling psychotherapy at Banish the Crows is LGBTQ affirmative, which means that we will fully accept your sexual and gender identity, whatever it may be, and do not view these essential parts of who you are as a characteristics that need treating or changing.
Therapy at Banish the Crows uses an integrative psychotherapeutic model. Integrative counselling psychotherapy is a combined approach to therapy that brings together different therapy styles. Integrative therapists take the view that there is no single approach that can treat each client in all situations. Integrative therapists tend to be ‘grounded’ in one theoretical approach, which is accompanied by a willingness to carefully incorporate techniques from other therapeutic approaches.
The grounded style of our principal therapist is existential, which operates from the belief that the inner conflict, within a person, is due to that individual’s confrontation with the givens of their existence and their relationship with life, their lived experience and ultimately, their death. Primarily, he uses a phenomenological method, which works from an assumption; quite rightly, that what you, the person says and experiences is real and true. It takes account of a person’s subjective, ‘lived experience’, to illuminate and help make sense of; for example, their disaffection, distress, and unease in life that sometimes get displayed through our mood; our sense of angst, anxiety or apprehension.
Theories used to underpin approaches to therapy can at first seem complex and off-putting to people – some people call this overuse of clinical or therapy terms or language, ‘psycho-babble’. When we meet a person for therapy, for the first time and subsequently, we will always talk through our approaches to therapy and be mindful of the words we use – explaining specific therapy terms when it feels appropriate or necessary to do so.
We offer services to young people aged 16 and above, adults of working age, and older adults but would consider working with young people approaching the age of 16, dependent upon competence and the young person’s ability to explore and appreciate psychotherapeutic concepts. Young people referrals described above (below the age of 18) will only be considered where there is parental involvement or with the support of a legal guardian. If you are unsure about whether you or a person that you have responsibility for might be suitable for counselling or psychotherapy, please feel able to have a conversation with us about yours or the young person’s individual circumstances.
Therapy is offered one-to-one, face-to-face although couples counselling will be considered. Therapy via telephone and SKYPE will also be considered but are not typically offered as first line approaches.
Additional services for existing clients:
‘Urgent Talk’ drop-in* slots are offered. Call for availability and times. Charges are pro-rata – click here for fees.
Services for previous clients:
Therapy ‘Top-Up’ sessions are available. Single sessions can be easily accessed by individuals or couples who have completed therapy but wish to return for one or two sessions to resolve interim or consequent issues or difficulties. Preferential rates are available – click here for fees.
Home visits and therapy in the home setting is not offered by Banish the Crows.
* The term ‘urgent’ in the context of the ‘drop-in’ services is defined as meeting to talk through a pressing concern or distressing issue that you feel cannot wait until your next scheduled therapy session. The ‘drop-in’ facility is not a crisis support service that might otherwise be responded to by, for example, emergency services or, a self referral or referral by another person to the local NHS mental health Access Service (or an equivalent crisis response service). The Mental Health Access Service in North Staffordshire can be contacted at: 0800 0328 728 (option 1).
In most instances it is not appropriate to engage in two forms of counselling or psychotherapy and this might limit our ability to offer a service. Again, please feel free to talk through your individual circumstances. This will help us to guide you about the appropriateness of you entering into a new or additional therapy relationship.
