MENTORING, ASSESSMENT, TRAINING AND CONSULTANCY
I founded Growing Unlimited Therapeutic Consultancy in 2002 and Growing Unlimited HSP Hampshire Meetup in 2008 and have worked in the field of personal development for thirty years, and specialised in working with highly sensitive people for over twenty years. I have received training directly from Elaine Aron PhD and am a member of ICHS (international consultants on high sensitivity), founded in 2019. I am based in both Hampshire and Cornwall in the UK and also support HSP-related events internationally.
I work as a mentor around high sensitivity through Growing Unlimited Consultancy, established in 2000. I mostly provide professional consultation to individuals and organisations, workplaces and the media.
In 2010 I founded the National Centre for High Sensitivity in the UK, and have now semi-retired. I have a part time private practice, continuing to develop and promote the wellbeing of sensitive people on an individual and national level, both one-to-one and within organisations, and as a speaker on the topic of high sensitivity. I also create social and personal development events within which highly sensitive people can explore various elements of authentic sensitive living. My practice is based in Andover, Hampshire and Pendeen, Cornwall and I have provided training and workshops for sensitive people and professionals nationally and internationally. You will find that face to face meetings offer the most benefit, but I do offer Skype or Zoom video calls or support by email.
YOUR ROLE
HSP Mentoring is not an easy option for solving problems, and training for professionals about this innate genetic trait can be challenging in terms of addressing our assumptions and expectations around highly sensitive employees or students. Part of our first meeting will be to help you check out whether this is the right time for you to be doing this work and whether you or your team are in a good enough place to make the most of it.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Important details about your work with me will be kept confidential and I do not make large amounts of notes following sessions. However, do remember that boundaries and processes for mentoring and training are not the same as counselling or therapy, even though you are likely to find these processes therapeutic :)
PAYING FOR YOUR SUPPORT
Individual fees for mentoring or coaching start at £80 per hour pro rata (concessions available please ask) and couple work at £95 per hour pro rata and may be more if you are seen elsewhere than Barbara's local practice. Group work or group training is quoted for separately. Please note that time is set aside especially for you. You will need to pay your fee in advance in order to reserve the appointment and there is a £25 cancellation fee for individuals taken from your refund if you do not give at least 5 days notice to change or cancel an appointment. Call or email Barbara to discuss mutually convenient dates and times.
BARBARA'S EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
I began my training as a therapist in 1991 with a 3 year course at a Southampton based psychodynamic organisation affiliated to Westminster Pastoral Foundation. During that time I also underwent training in the counselling of addictions and related issues, worked as a family worker/counsellor within social services and also worked for 10 years in an addictions counselling agency as a counsellor, group worker, counselling supervisor, and client services manager, counselling a large variety of clients in both short and longer-term work including underlying issues, and working with couples and family members where appropriate. During that time I counselled in a variety of settings including hospitals and GP surgeries. In 1999 I qualified as a counselling supervisor and have a lot of experience in supporting and mentoring counsellors and workers from a variety of therapeutic and educational backgrounds with particular experience in facilitating and supporting those working in the addictions and domestic violence fields, supporting change and development. I went into Private Practice in 2002, specialising in highly sensitive people and was a UKRC Registered Independent Counsellor accredited with the Federation of Drug and Alcohol Professionals and The National Counselling Society, plus an individual member of BACP, UKRCP & FDAP until I retired from therapy in April 2013. Other trainings I have participated in include: Group Analysis (introductory year); Diagnosis and psychotherapy of dissociative disorders; brief, solution-focussed therapy; motivational interviewing; cognitive beharioural therapy; anger management; anxiety management; Gorski relapase prevention; systemic work in addictions; childhood sexual abuse; counselling for gamblers; dual diagnosis; cultural diversity; men in therapy; freedom programme facilitation, and much more.
In 2008 I launched the first HSP Monthly Meetup in Winchester from my practice at Haven on The Square, this is still going and has now transferred to Andover. In 2010 I founded the National Centre for High Sensitivity and have co-hosted HSP Gathering Retreats in the UK, USA, Germany, Canada and Sweden with Jacquelyn Strickland who co-founded these retreats with Dr Elaine Aron. I have also co-led two-day workshops with Jacquelyn Strickland and Annet de Zwart. I have been interviewed numerous times on the topic of high sensitivity and continue to be listed as a speaker by Dr Elaine Aron (the renowned researcher on sensory processing sensitivity) on her website at www.hsperson.com.
Currently I run and support meetups, provide workshops and days of community, mentoring and coaching for HSPs and also run training events for professionals who wish to give a better quality of support to their highly sensitive clients. I provide input around career and relationships for HSPs and also Mentor professionals who are developing services for the sensitive population. I am a founding member of ICHS (international consultants on high sensitivity), a group established during training with Dr Elaine Aron.
