counsellingservice

For the past six and a half years I have been employed in a residential hospital unit working as a member of a team to provide quality care to adults with learning disabilities, challenging behaviour, and complex needs. I have also worked as a residential care worker for one day per week. This post involves working with 12 -18 year old young people whose needs relate to drug/alcohol use or self-injurious behaviour. In addition to these posts I regularly work for an agency providing social and health care. I therefore have several years of experience of providing care to young people, working age adults and older adults, male and female, with a range of abilities and various social and healthcare needs, in residential and hospital settings.

Central to this work has been the ability to relate well to people, develop good working relationships with them and to be able to communicate clearly. I have worked in settings which are frequently stressful and challenging and I have dealt with verbal abuse, aggression and hostility on a regular basis. These posts have utilises my skills in counselling, problem resolution, and anxiety management. The bulk of my work is performed on a one to one basis and revolves around problem identification, coping strategies, and developing resolutions.

Since 2005 I volunteered for Victim support and I am currently support victim of crime such us domestic violence, burglary, physical and sexual assault, and since 2006 I volunteer for Rape Crisis and I currently support woman who have been assaulted sexually

In 2006 I started working as a counsellor. I have delivered professional, supervised counselling with clients with a variety of needs, including diagnosed mental health problems. This work has been supplied to me via Rape Crisis, Victim Support, or self referral and has included: coping with bereavement, phobias, and couple counselling and adult survivors of abuse. In commencing work as a counsellor I have had to use my own initiative, work independently and organise my time effectively. I have used a range of counselling therapies, interventions and techniques.

I have a broad knowledge and understanding of working with various challenging client groups such as children and adolescents with various needs, people with drug and alcohol use issues, mental health problems and learning disabilities, including offending histories. I am competent at working with vulnerable people who are at increased risk of being victims of crime, domestic violence, burglary, physical or sexual assault.

Personal
I am caring and empathetic person who is interested in people and enjoys working with them. I have personally faced a number of challenges in my life, including living, studying and working in another country, and I have needed to be self-motivated and hard working in order to succeed. I have good listening skills and I am able to work independently or as part of team. I am committed to lifelong learning and continuing personal and professional development. I speak two languages fluently. I have a full driving licence and access to a car for business use.

I am a mature, enthusiastic, and highly motivated individual who has a background of working with individuals with complex needs. I am seeking an opportunity to develop myself personally and professionally. I am applying for this position as I wish to utilise my acquired skills and knowledge within an area which interests me. I believe that this post could provide me with the opportunity to exercise and develop my core skills, knowledge, and understanding of working with young people with a variety of needs.