So you may wonder why did I decide to specialise in working with self-esteem and confidence in my role as a counsellor?
Well, let me start by saying that as someone who has always loved to help others (even before I became a counsellor) I have recognised that sometimes it is all too easy to fall into patterns of people-pleasing behaviour, sometimes taking on too much and feeling unable to say “no”.
Although coming from a good place, this isn’t sustainable and on a personal note I have learnt that it is absolutely OK for me to take time for myself too and regain control of how I spend my time. And if its true for me, then its true for you and everyone else too.
Sometimes it can feel like we are the barrier to our own success. We need to work at silencing our inner voice of criticism and replacing it with what I call the “inner cheerleader”.
It’s not always straightforward, of course. Life isn’t always that neat and organised. I can certainly think of many times in my life that I have been personally challenged in evaluating who I am – from coming out as a gay man, to making “scary” career changes, dealing with loss, feeling the effects of “burnout” at work and the end of a long term relationship, as just some personal examples.
As much as I have had my self esteem and confidence knocked during these times, I can also genuinely say that I have also found learning and growth from these events, even when it didn’t feel like this was possible. This was through a combination of reaching out for help, talking honestly about what was going on for me and then gradually starting to appreciate and trust my self-knowledge and instincts more.
That’s how I know its possible to learn new skills that can boost our self esteem and confidence, sometimes with small steps… although sometimes this can also happen in leaps and bounds! I have learnt this from my clients as well as for myself and from other people in my life.
If you have read this far, then thank you and I hope you feel you know a little more about me! And if would like to work with me and discover how counselling with me might work for you, then, please get in touch.
You can email me matt@mattdix.co.uk or call me on 07471 319548.
QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING
Registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). I work within the BACP ‘Ethical Framework for Counsellors’, and also the BACP Guidelines for Online Counselling and Psychotherapy. Information relating to both of these documents can be found at: www.bacp.co.uk.
CPCAB Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (Integrative)
Advanced Certificate in Clinical Supervision Including Online and Telephone Working
Certificate in Writing for Therapeutic Purposes (Metanoia Institute)
Institute of Leadership and Management – Level 5 Coaching and Mentoring
NLP Master Practitioner and Coach
Mental Health First Aid Practitioner
ASIST trained (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training)
MBTI Practitioner
Mindfulness Trainer
EXPERIENCE
- Qualified Counsellor and a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), with experience of working in the charitable sector as a counsellor, as well as running my own private practice.
- Qualified Supervisor (Advanced Certificate in Clinical Supervision Including Online and Telephone Working)
- Qualified Coach with over 10 years of experience in coaching individuals in confidence building, leadership and management, career progression and personal development. I am a coach with the Coaching Academy at the University of Birmingham.
- Qualified Mental Health First Aid Instructor and Suicide First Aid Instructor
- I have over 20 years’ experience as a trainer and training manager delivering development solutions and qualifications in counselling, leadership, presenting and public speaking, team building, assertiveness and mindfulness.
- I run mindfulness courses and groups at the University of Birmingham and also deliver courses in building personal resilience and well-being.
- I have an MA in creative writing and also a creative writing diploma, with a particular interest in writing therapeutically and narrative therapy.
I am committed to offering the highest quality of service possible in my counselling, supervision and training practice.
Tel: 07471 319548 Email: matt@mattdix.co.uk