Victoria Room
Chalford Hill,Gloucestershire
Summary
A qualified and experienced therapeutic counsellor, based in Gloucestershire, offering online and in-person sessions both indoors and walking in nature.
Specialised in supporting parents and carers of PDA children through a combination of integrative counselling and mentoring to learn about PDA and develop plans to improve nervous system regulation for the whole family.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Therapeutic counsellor
Self-employed
Bristol, Stroud, Online
2016.01 - Current
- Developed personalised therapeutic programmes for parents and carers of PDA children and young people, with focus on managing overwhelm, psycho-education on PDA approaches and nervous system regulation, as well as healing trauma.
- Maintained strict confidentiality protocols and professional standards, including monthly supervision.
- Establishing and participating in group supervision
- Continued professional development, including additional training in ADHD, Neurodiversity, Somatic Trauma Healing, Mindfulness for Professionals
- Member of BACP
Volunteer Counsellor
Bristol University Counselling Service
Bristol
2015.09 - 2016.01
- Provided counselling for students in six-week blocks
- Worked in a team of professionals, referring clients when outside of my experience level
- Maintained records in line with the services protocols
Volunteer counsellor
Swan Project
Bristol
2013.11 - 2015.11
- One-to-one therapy for people with addictions
- Liaised with other professionals when necessary to ensure support system for clients needs
- Training in motivational interviewing and working with addiction
- Participated in group supervision
Lead Monitoring, Evaluation and Impact Assessment
Development Initiatives
Bristol
2015.01 - 2020.09
- Developed research frameworks to monitor and assess impact for an international organisation, working across multiple locations in Europe, Africa and South Asia
- Developed and delivered training courses to build capacity to assess impact
- Reported to funders, board members and senior management
- Led on strategy development for the organisation
Programme manager
Development Initiatives
Bristol
2012.01 - 2014.12
- Led a team of eight staff, located across multiple countries
- Fundraising and reporting to donors on complex programmes to increase the transparency and accountability of aid money
- Identifying and implementing strategic priorities
- Collaborated internationally with diverse groups including parliamentarians, international funders and local advocacy groups
- Speaking internationally at conferences to raise awareness of the importance of increased transparency and accountability to improve development outcomes.
Policy Advisor
International Aid Transparency Initiative
Wells, Somerset
2008.03 - 2011.12
- Developed international partnerships to assess and advocate for better aid transparency
- Delivered training workshops and consultations to understand needs of different groups including parliamentarians, advocacy groups and goverment officials.
- Managed £2 million budget and reported to funders
Education
PDA Safe Circle Certification -
PDA Safe Circle
International 2026.02 - 2026.07
Diploma of Higher Education - Humanistic and Integrative Counselling
Bath Centre for Psychotherapy and Counselling
Bath, Bath and North East Somerset 2012.09 - 2018.06
Master of Science - International Development
Universiteit Van Amsterdam
Amsterdam, The Netherlands 2004.09 - 2006.06
Skills
- Humanistic and psychodynamic counselling
- Mindfulness based interventions
- Walk and Talk and Ecotherapy
- Neurodiversity affirming, with specialisation in ADHD and PDA
- Working collaboratively to develop and refine education materials for diverse groups
- Distilling and adapting complex theoretical information for wide variety of client groups
- Working effectively with people from diverse backgrounds, fostering inclusive environments, and navigating different perspectives
- Assessing impact and working reflectively to improve competence and client outcomes
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
PDA Safe Circle Certification -
PDA Safe Circle
2026.02 - 2026.07
Therapeutic counsellor
Self-employed
2016.01 - Current
Volunteer Counsellor
Bristol University Counselling Service
2015.09 - 2016.01
Lead Monitoring, Evaluation and Impact Assessment
Development Initiatives
2015.01 - 2020.09
Volunteer counsellor
Swan Project
2013.11 - 2015.11
Diploma of Higher Education - Humanistic and Integrative Counselling
Bath Centre for Psychotherapy and Counselling
2012.09 - 2018.06
Programme manager
Development Initiatives
2012.01 - 2014.12
Policy Advisor
International Aid Transparency Initiative
2008.03 - 2011.12
Master of Science - International Development
Universiteit Van Amsterdam
2004.09 - 2006.06