Linda Dickinson

Training, Qualifications & Experience

I am BACP registered practitioner and I trained in the Person Centred Approach to counselling, and have both a Certificate in Counselling (Dewsbury College 1995) and the Advanced Diploma in Counselling and Group Work (Huddersfield Tech 1998). In addition I have used Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioural Techniques, Solution Focused, Systemic Family Work and Transactional Analysis. I attended and delivered a range of relevant short unaccredited CPD courses and I am currently completing a CPD Cognitive Behaviour Therapy course and will be registering and working towards BACP Accreditation from July 2012.

I am a qualified GSCC Registered Social Worker with a BA Honours in Applied Social Studies (Leeds) and a proven endorsed and regulated CPD in this area of work. I have extensive Safeguarding and Vulnerable Adults knowledge and experience and I am an approved Investigating Officer for Social Services complaints unit. I am a registered Tutor with the institute for Learning (IFL) and have both Training and Teaching qualifications (IPD and CTTLS)

I am a qualified experienced Tutor and Trainer: Certificate in Teaching Practice (Institute of Person Development IPD, Huddersfield University Business Studies) and an Adult Teaching Certificate (City and Guilds, Dewsbury College) I am a trained and experienced Practice Educator for 3 West Yorkshire Universities and I tutor and assess learning on Social Work and Health and Social Care Humanistic Theories and Values.

I have a Certificate in Leadership and Management (ILM Institute of Leadership and Management, (Wakefield College) and wide experience in the delivery of a range of courses/one to one development sessions on; Staff Supervision, Leadership, Personal Effectiveness, Feedback and Change.

Counselling Profile

I can offer counselling in the West Yorkshire area in a confidential and supportive environment. I offer short and long term counselling work based on individual needs, allowing individuals the space to explore issues at their own pace.

I am about to start working towards my BACP accreditation and currently I work within the BACP ethical framework and codes of ethics which are similar to my Social Work practice and General Social Care Council Registration (GSCC). I have worked with professional adults, parents and young adults (13 plus) for many years who are under systemic strain or experiencing personal emotional distress.

I have experience of working with loss, stress, systemic family relationship issues, substance misuse, sexually exploited working women, and young people with a range of emotional or behavioural challenges, including Looked After Children (LAC) and Care Leavers who have been in abusive situations.