The Foster Practice
Zoe Foster MNCPS (Accred), MBACP (Accred)
Psychotherapy
Counselling
Business Coaching
'Positive, and appreciative, encouraging my strengths which I feel is the best kind of counselling. At the same time realistic, not minimising what I'm facing.'
I have over 20 years of experience working in the personal development and growth of others. Originally in the business environment and now through talking therapy, working with a strong set of values based around trust, honesty and confidentiality. I am passionate about mental health and how it is perceived. Just as we all experience physical health on a sliding scale, the same is true for our mental health. When our mental health is compromised, it can be as debilitating as a physical health issue. The two are closely connected. When we experience anxiety, trauma, depression or any other mental health issue it often impacts our physical health also.
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My therapeutic background is working with survivors of trauma and the chronic issues that often accompany traumatic experiences such as depression and anxiety. I have completed a wide variety of trauma training and worked with organisations delivering support to individuals who may have experienced abuse or survived traumatic incidents. I have also trained in and developed skill through working with clients embarking on their fertility journey. I work using the 'Integrative' approach, drawing on varied theories and interventions. You, as a client, may work more creatively and another more cognitively. This approach keeps your requirements and goals front and centre.
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Over the years I have developed and delivered stress management workshops, education and 1-1 support for employees
and managers including coaching and mentoring. I continue to provide support for clients wishing to develop their professional skills or perhaps explore new directions for their career. This is often, although not always, intertwined with therapeutic work. It sometimes comes as a surprise to clients how closely counselling and coaching can relate in terms of challenges addressed and tools used. Many of the tools are re-usable techniques and can help you develop skills for the future challenges you may face.
You can book a FREE consultation in order to see how I work. I appreciate calling someone can be daunting. By coming for a short consultation, you can meet me and we can explore what you need without having to commit. You then take the time to decide what your next steps are.
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Core Qualifications:
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BA Humanistic and Integrative Counselling & Psychotherapy: First Class Honours
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Advanced Professional Diploma Psychotherapeutic Counselling
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Advanced Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling
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Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling
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Diploma in Counselling Skills
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Counsellors complete an additional 30+ hours of continued professional development (CPD) throughout the year including; formal training courses, specialist learning, reading academic publications and staying informed of the latest research in mental health.
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Here are a couple of examples of continued professional development completed since 2015:
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Significance of Attachment in the Treatment of Personality Disorders - Daniel Fox Ph.D
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Suicide Assessment and Intervention: Today's Top Challenges for Mental Health Professionals with Paul Brasler, MA, MSW, LCSW
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Book - Unprocessed: What your diet is doing to your brain - Kimberley Wilson, BA (Hons); MA; MSc (Nutr); CPsychol
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Effects of Racism on Mental Health: Dr Jessica R Graham LoPresti
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Academic Paper - Couple Therapy in Infertility (Flores, N., Jenaro, C., Rosset, C. M. 2008)
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British Infertility Counselling Association - Working in Licenced Treatment Centres or Related Settings
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Shame & Self Loathing in the Treatment of Trauma: Dr Janina Fisher
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Anxiety & Depression – What you need to know regarding medication: Dr Beth Salcedo
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In an Unspoken Voice - How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness: Mind, Brain and Body in the Transformation of Trauma: Dr Peter A Levine, PhD
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Bipolar Disorders: Essentials for Clinical Practice: James Phelps, M.D.
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