About Me


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Debbie Maidwell

Counsellor and psychotherapist

Hello, I'm Debbie and a warm welcome to North Star Psychotherapy.

Life is too short to be unhappy, anxious, or unfulfilled. Even the strongest among us can feel lost, unsure and discontent at times. As a professional therapist, I can help you to understand and manage whatever life throws at you, and to do it successfully.

I believe that you have the strength not simply to survive, but to truly thrive.

I am a relational psychotherapist and counsellor, working in Northumberland for 10 years. Let me help you to develop better ways to manage the difficulties that stand in your path. We will work together to find an approach that suits you.

Emotional struggles can be a fundamental element to everyday life, often appearing overwhelming. Having an opportunity to engage with a therapist who is non judgmental and who approaches each individual with compassion, respect and empathy is pivotal when a client is undertaking a journey of recovery.

In our modern day world, life is changing at a rapid pace and is becoming increasingly complex. We find ourselves communicating via a myriad of electronic devices. Despite being born, nurtured and educated in relationship, having an opportunity to experience face to face connections is lessening. I believe that the nature and quality of the therapeutic relationship is of crucial importance in enabling change and resolution, and is a vehicle for addressing and making changes to people's lives and the way in which they think, feel and behave.

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"In a world of algorithms, hashtags and followers, know the true importance of human connection."



Services:




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I work with a wide range of issues and difficulties, including:

I offer individual counselling for people experiencing current difficulties in their lives requiring short term focused intervention, for example ..





















What is Counselling?







Both Counselling & Psychotherapy fall under the umbrella term "talking therapies", allowing individuals to discuss the problems and difficult feelings they have encountered, in a safe and confidential environment.

People tend to seek help when they want to change something in their lives, or explore thoughts and feelings in more depth. At a time when you may be feeling lost and it is difficult to make sense of your emotions, counselling offers you a safe space to really feel listened to, understood and accepted. I will support you as you explore your hopes, fears, relationships and choices so that you have a better understanding of the issues in your life and can make more informed decisions that will empower you.

By talking to a therapist who has no preconceived perceptions of you or any prior connection to your life, will enable you to discuss your difficulties in order to uncover the root causes and to identify your particular ways of thinking, helping reconciliation and providing coping strategies. We all have thoughts and questions that can be complex to discuss, but in the safety and privacy of the consulting room, you can explore them without judgement from the person sitting with you.

As a trained professional, I can help you to access your own insight and an understanding of your problems, providing you with the tools to aid resolution.

Counselling or Psychotherapy, what is the difference?

Counselling is more of a short term process that can help you with 'here and now' issues such as bereavement, stress or anxiety. Counselling will support you to identify problems, taking steps to resolve specific issues or to change unhelpful or destructive patterns of behaviour.

Psychotherapy is more appropriate for more entrenched, deep rooted difficulties and tends to involve longer term work. The way and manner in which we live our lives as adults and the relationships that we develop, are significantly shaped by our early childhood experiences. Often we are able to resolve difficulties in our present lives and make changes by exploring, understanding and resolving connections between past events and current difficulties



Practice & Sessions


I hold sessions in a professionally-dedicated building adjacent to my home in a small and tranquil rural village in the Tyne valley.

An advantage of private therapy is that there is no need to commit to a certain number of sessions. If after beginning therapy you decide that it is not for you, you can stop at any time. Alternatively, we will be able to continue to work corroboratively for as long as is necessary, in order to achieve your goals.

Fees

Sessions last for 50 minutes and are charged at:

£50 for individuals

£65 for couples

The First Session

The first session is an opportunity for us both to meet and mutually decide whether now is the right time to begin therapy. A "good fit" between therapist and client is essential, and it is crucial that we both feel comfortable together. If I feel that the issues that you are bringing are out of my area of expertise, I will explain this to you, and refer you to a colleague who would be better suited to work most effectively with you.

I will ask you questions to help gain a good understanding of the reasons that you have sought counselling. This also gives you, the client, an opportunity to ask any questions that you may have and to think about a goal for us to work towards.

If you decide that you are ready to proceed with counselling, we would discuss how many sessions you would like and how often you are able to meet.

Online Counselling

If you feel that you would benefit from counselling but are struggling to fit this into a busy schedule, online counselling could be ideal for you. This has been a particularly pertinent platform during the COVID-19 outbreak. Online counselling is convenient and has been shown to be as effective as face-to-face therapy. If distance is an issue or you have a busy schedule, online counselling is worth considering.

How secure is online counselling?

I use Zoom for online work as it is HIPAA-compliant. Its systems allow for a more reliable connection and increased security to ensure that sessions are confidential. Registering to use Zoom is simple and free.

How an online counselling session works

Create your Zoom account in advance of your appointment. It is important that you consider where you can place yourself for your session. A space which is comfortable and safe and where you can speak in an uncensored way is important. I ask that you are up and dressed, and that you would attend your online session as you would a face to face session. Ahead of your appointment, I will contact you with the necessary ID and Passcode information to access the Zoom waiting room. I will invite you in at your allocated time, and lock the room, ensuring privacy. Your session begins and takes place as if we were meeting face to face.

Payment

I ask that online sessions are paid for immediately prior to your session, and are charged at the same price as a face to face session. I will provide you with the necessary banking information when booking.

For more information, read our frequently asked questions

« Ethics and
Practice »

I subscribe to the Codes of Ethics of the UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy) and the BACP (British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy). I hold Professional Indemnity Insurance and hold an Enhanced DBS check.

Please feel free to call me to discuss any uncertainties you may have regarding counselling or psychotherapy

— Debbie Maidwell



Contact us


Contact Info

My practice is located in the village of Ovington, just a mile from the A69, approximately 10 miles from the A1, west of Newcastle, 5 miles from Corbridge, 11 miles from Ponteland and close to Hexham and Newcastle.

You can call me privately on the following number but please note that in order to maintain confidentiality, I don't return missed calls from unknown numbers. If I am unable to answer a call, please leave a voice or text message so I know it is safe to respond.

debbie@northstarpsychotherapy.co.uk


07790 772140



If you have a query, or wish to book an appointment

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