Em Mckenzie - York
About the Therapist
Welcome. I’m Em (She/Her) a qualified integrative counsellor and registered BACP and Creative Counsellors member, providing short and long term individual therapy in York.
I work to help people discover and accept who they are, what they want, to find their voice and make the changes they need to live a more fulfilling life. I provide inclusive, diversity-aware counselling, working respectfully and collaboratively across cultures and differences.
Sometimes we can find ourselves feeling lost, confused, stuck, disconnected, exhausted and/or overwhelmed. It may be that we have been through a loss, received a diagnosis, are trying to understand your gender, going through a life transition, or we aren’t sure why we feel the way we do, but we no longer understand ourselves. Relationships with ourselves and others can be complex, I am here to fully listen and am interested in you and your story and helping you make sense of how you feel to make life better for you, and give you more control of your life.
I’ll help you to explore, connect and process your feelings so you can make the right decision for you. I offer a space free from judgement, and encourage you to not hold back any part of yourself, you can share whatever you need to, and you will never be a burden. It is the ultimate self care for both you and those around you.
I can help you:
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- Discover your needs and learn how to communicate them effectively.
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- Turn your inner critic into an inner cheerleader.
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- Be able to say no to unwanted requests.
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- Feel more confident and comfortable to be who you want to be and reduce worry of what others think.
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- Understand yourself better.
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- Put in boundaries to create a better life balance.
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- Improve your self esteem and confidence.
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- Reduce stress and anxiety.
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- Improve relationships.
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- Let go of ‘shoulds’.
- Other
I am a fully qualified counsellor and registered member of BACP (British Association for counselling and psychotherapy) and Creative Counsellors. I have also undertaken training with The Foundation for Infant Loss, deepening my understanding as a Pregnancy and Infant Loss Practitioner, including as a Rainbow Baby and Infertility Specialist.
In addition I continue to complete training and develop the range of knowledge and interventions I can draw upon. These include:
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- Infertility and Infant Loss
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- Working therapeutically with people with eating-based difficulties
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- Walk and Talk Ecotherapy
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- Domestic abuse
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- Trauma
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- Creative Counselling Interventions
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- The Fear System
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- Management of Alcohol problems
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- Loss and Bereavement
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- Adult safeguarding
| Award | Awarding body | Year of award |
|---|---|---|
I offer:
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- Face to Face
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- Creative counselling (face to face)
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- Online counselling
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- Walk and Talk
As a person-centred counsellor I believe in a non-judgemental and non-directive approach. I don’t give advice, instead I listen and provide the therapeutic space and time that empowers you to discover your own answers. I take an integrative approach, drawing on various methods to suit each unique individual. My goal is to help clients connect with their inner resources and move forward with confidence in their chosen direction. I support clients to understand themselves better, to live more fulfilling lives, and build strength and resilience within themselves. I have worked with a wide range of clients, with experience working as a recovery counsellor for York Drug and Alcohol Service along with York Women's Counselling Service, York Carers, York Mind and Menfulness.
It is my belief that we are all unique and diverse; I work with people of all genders, sexualities, faiths, cultures and backgrounds and encourage clients to bring all parts of their identities. As such, each individual requires unique and diverse support, and I therefore draw upon a range of tools from other approaches such as creative therapy, psycho-social skills training, and eco therapy, depending on what feels right for you.
I find creativity can allows us to work at a more subconscious level, tapping into thoughts and emotions that you are not fully aware of but that influence your behaviours and feelings. The way I work is to integrate creative activities within my talking therapy when I feel they might be helpful as part of sessions, such as using drawing, cards or figurines - only if this is an area you feel might be helpful as part of our sessions.
- Humanistic
- Integrative
- Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS)
- Person-Centred
- Transactional Analysis
- Walk and talk therapy
- Non-binary | Genderqueer
- Questioning
- Trans
- One to one
- No adaptation
- Adults
- Seniors (60+)
- Young adults (16-24)
- Online
- In Person
Individual Counselling: £60 per 50 minute session.
Walk and Talk Counselling: £60 per 60 minute session
Once you get in touch you will be invited to a free 15 minute initial phone consultation - this gives us the opportunity to go through any questions you might have, explore your needs and how I might be able to support you in your journey.
If we decide to go ahead we can then arrange a 50 minute initial assessment session charged at full fee (£60). This session is to understand what is bringing you to counselling and what you're hoping to get out of it in more detail, and how we can work together to best support you. Should we both feel there is a good fit then we can then book in subsequent sessions.
Please be assured that taking part in an initial phone consultation or assessment session does not mean that you are committed to work with me.
Session fees are due 48 hours in advance of a session via Bank transfer, however in specific circumstances, such as when a third party (e.g., an organisation or employer) is responsible for payment, I can arrange for payment by invoice. Please let me know in advance if this is required to facilitate the appropriate arrangements.
If you have questions or special billing requirements, please don't hesitate to reach out.
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