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Mandy Colwill BA Hons, Adv Dip, PG Dip, MBACP (Accred)

Like lots of people, I have some letters after my name and they are explained here. The BA Hons bit refers to my original degree which was in Art and Design. Although I rarely ever paint anymore, I am passionate about creative therapy and I also enjoyed taking the photos for this website (except the selfie!)

My private practice has been running since I qualified in 2003 and I have also provided NHS counselling alongside this. I was a director for Counsellors Southwest who provide primary care counselling throughout Devon and I am still one of their founding counsellors. In addition to this I have also worked for charities and in further education.

I began lecturing for The Iron Mill College in 2015 and love training future counsellors, watching others develop and grow and working with the group dynamic.

As a registered and accredited member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, I abide by their Ethical Framework. As a requirement of accreditation, I hold Professional Indemnity Insurance and receive regular supervision.

My counselling qualifications include an Advanced Diploma, a Post Graduate Diploma and a Diploma in Supervision.

I know that for some people, counselling terminology can be extremely confusing and I would reassure you that it is not essential for you to understand what these words mean. What is most important is that you feel safe and connected to your therapist.

I studied on a BACP accredited course in Humanistic, Integrative Counselling. The Humanistic part basically means that I believe the client can find their answers from within if they are well facilitated and supported.  The Integrative part means that I combine a variety of approaches because I feel that it is the practitioners responsibility to tailor the service to the client. I strongly believe that it is in the service of the client to fit the therapy to them and not vice versa. Simplified, the belief which underpins all of the approaches that I integrate is that, through raised self-awareness, people can either change their struggle, or better understand it.

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I draw upon Transactional Analysis, Gestalt, the Person Centred Approach and I am very influenced by Existentialism and informed by Attachment Theory and Neuroscience. The BACP has some great information on different types of therapy if you are interested in finding out more.

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I have experience in working with:-

  • Addictions

  • Anger

  • Bereavement and loss

  • Bullying

  • Depression

  • Divorce, separation and break-up

  • Eating disorders

  • Exam stress

  • Loneliness and isolation

  • Loss of direction or meaning in life

  • Loss of sexual desire or functioning

  • Physical, sexual or emotional abuse

  • Physical illness and diagnosis

  • Post natal depression

  • Post traumatic stress disorder

  • Relationship difficulties

  • Retirement

  • Self-esteem, assertiveness and confidence

  • Self-harm and suicidal thoughts

  • Stress, anxiety and panic

  • Work issues

An additional requirement of accreditation is the commitment to Continuing Professional Development and I have attended courses relating to

  • Couples Counselling

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

  • Anger

  • Depression

  • Self Harm

  • Drugs and Addictions

  • Eating Disorders

  • Anxiety and Phobias

  • Self Esteem

  • Dissociative disorder and trauma

  • Childhood abuse

  • Boarding school and military upbringing

  • Suicide

  • Working online

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