I can offer Zoom video counselling sessions both nationally and internationally.
Alan Neeld MBACP (Accred) is a qualified Counsellor / Psychotherapist and an accredited member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) and UKRCP (United Kingdom Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists).
Alan volunteers at Marie Curie in Solihull as a way to give back. Find out more here
In my role as a counsellor I have been very privileged to come across some wonderful people. Tutors, colleagues and clients alike, all bring something special and very different into my life.
It was because of this that in 2016 I decided to find a way of giving something back into the community I live in. Following some research and having friends who are fund raisers, I decided on Marie Curie.
Cancer and bereavement touches everyone at some point in their life and as with everything people react in different ways. By volunteering as a counsellor at Marie Curie Hospice, Solihull, I can utilise my skill as a counsellor whilst supporting those who are struggling.
The role itself is quite diverse. I work with the patients themselves, who for obvious reasons have many questions and often struggle with their situation. By being able to talk through their concerns and anxieties with a professional therapist the patients are able to come to terms with their situation much better enabling them to enjoy ass much as possible the time they have left.
As well as the patients at the hospice, I work with the patients' families.
The diagnosis of a terminal illness impacts greatly on
everyone concerned. However, whist the patient themselves are looked
after by all the various NHS staff and eventually the hospice staff,
the patients' families and friends are often neglected.
Spouses, children, parents, grandparents and friends alike all go
through the bereavement process, when a terminal illness is diagnosed,
this is often compounded once the patients dies.
At Marie Curie everyone is considered and where ever possible helped and supported. Alongside myself, a team of professional counsellors, supplemented by volunteer listeners are there to work with and support anyone who is referred to us. I, along with all the team members work at the hospice beautifully furnished purpose-built therapy rooms Here we can work on a one to one basis with clients and try to enable them to get through what is a terribly traumatic time.
As well as working at the hospice, as one of the professional therapists volunteering there, I visit clients outside of the hospice premises, in their home, or when children are involved at their school. Taking therapy to the client can be very helpful for some people, especially those who are infirm or don’t have access to transport. Whilst providing therapy in this way is far more time consuming, we at the hospice feel it matters and so are prepared to do it.
Initially I volunteered at the hospice because I had some spare time and because I wanted to give something back. Seeing and experiencing the very important work we do there and how lives are changed has made it something I want to do forever. Giving is in itself very rewarding and for anyone thinking of doing something like that I whole heartedly recommend it. It benefits those in need and gives you something money can't buy.
Some of the more common issues Alan works with are:-
Stress
Depression
Anxiety
Self Esteem
Bereavement
Relationship Issues
Alan also works with many other issues such as self harm, grief and bereavement, anger issues, abuse and sexual problems.
Please contact Alan if you have any questions or to book an appointment.