SwanSoin Counselling
Serving mental health and well being through counselling and consultation services.
A client-centred counselling service
promoting mental health and well being.
About SwanSoin Counselling
I am Genevieve Walters a professional counsellor with over 20 years experience in psychological counselling practice.
SwanSoin, essentially "swan healing" is my personal description for the work done in therapy. Counselling engages a journey towards a truer sense of yourself, and with that hearing the longing to be appreciated by oneself and those around you. Like the tale The Ugly Duckling, written by Hans Christian Andersen, the duck comes to realise that he is a swan. This story of self discovery, acceptance and sense of belonging captures the change in perspective occurring through counselling.
The swan appears graceful on the surface, while frantically paddling beneath just to maintain their position. I think swan helps us realise how hard people are working at appearing as if they are thriving, or okay, feeling exhausted at maintaining the façade.
SwanSoin captures the essence of the hard work that occurs in each session. On the surface talking to a therapist may seem like a passive approach to quite serious problems, however a lot of internal work is taking place. In therapy the mental and emotional world is skilfully co-navigated, creating a different sense of oneself, personal abilities with enhanced clarity and focus on living well.
Many people feel out of place with themselves, and with others, when they come into counselling, and then experience a uniquely enriching process of self discovery, connection and renewed sense of identity.
If some of these ideas resonate with you, counselling can offer you some much needed emotional support, engage mental respite, and stir up some fresh energy to replenish your inner resources.
Counselling
Counselling offers a confidential, therapeutic relationship to bring about the change and personal growth that you choose. A process of change that you want for yourself, and with that the ripple effect may be felt in other areas of your life. I truly believe in the power of speaking our personal stories and trust that we can make sense of ourselves through the way that we describe and reinvigorate our experiences in talking and creative therapy.
I work as an Integrative Therapist, meaning I blend a few evidence based approaches to suit a range of client needs. I prefer the client centred approaches of Narrative and Person Centred Therapy with Affect Regulation Theory and Somatic feedback to incorporate work on childhood experiences, trauma and loss.
The therapeutic relationship usually offers you significant relief and well being. Sometimes, the life stories that we work with may feel unsettling and affect your usual way of being. In a nutshell, it is important to know that counselling is not a quick fix that will remove discomfort immediately, but it can be a relief to find someone who understands and cares about what you are going through in the process.
Through counselling you may realise that you want to change the way that you are, and some relationships with others. Initially, this realisation may be hard. Counselling gives you the space and time to process what feels right for you within a trusting, non judgemental relationship. I work with many clients in difficult relationships and circumstances and I will respect your autonomy whilst working towards keeping you safe.
At present, I work with local and internationally based clients. Adults, couples and family pairs that want to work on their relationship. I can also offer trainee counsellors reduced rates if needed.
My sessions are currently offered remotely, online via video or telephone calls. Sessions are booked in advance via a mutually agreed appointment. I charge £50.00 per hour.
An initial, free, 20 minutes consultation call is recommended so that we can assess if I am the right counsellor for you. Please get in touch to book your initial consultation call.
What a session involves
I understand that for most people it is not easy to seek counselling, so I am sensitive to how vulnerable and awkward you may feel at our first meeting.
The first session is important to establishing a safe and professional way of working together. If this is the first time that you are speaking to a counsellor you may not know what to expect from counselling.
I, therefore, tend to ask clients to commit 1 hour and 20 minutes to our first session, so that we can fully explore your reasons for seeking counselling, as well as the intent of our working relationship together.
We may decide to work weekly or fortnightly depending on what creates movement for you. Our ongoing motivation for working together will be that the sessions are beneficial to you.
I recommend an initial consultation call of 20 minutes by telephone which is scheduled by appointment, in order for us to decide if I am the right therapist for you right now.
Professional Expertise
I hold a Master in Social Sciences in Counselling Psychology degree.
Initially I trained for a career in psychology then realised that client centred counselling was more aligned to my passion to serve communities struggling with mental health.
I have more than 20 years experience of counselling practice, have been a counselling lead within various agencies and run my own private practice.
Types of therapy that I offer as an Integrative Therapist include: Narrative, Person centred, Relational, Transpersonal, Affect Regulation.
I am also fortunate to be involved in training on many counselling courses from basic skills to post graduate level qualifications.
I have a rich background of work with a diverse range of people, and strong network of professionals, I am learning about mental health all the time. Relationships hold key life lessons and I feel that my clients, colleagues and students are my teachers.
Supervision for counsellors
At the core of our work together I aim to promote your unique way of being and offering to your clients, whilst also exploring what else can be beneficial to enhance your practice.
I am a client centred therapist, and supervisor, with over 20 years counselling and supervisory experience, crafting a coherent integrative framework of theory and practice. I take what I have learned from my clients and colleagues into the heart of my practice.
I am diligent in my personal and professional integration so that I sustain and celebrate being a counsellor in the challenging landscape of practice.
My experience includes offering supervision, for individuals and groups, for a range of mental health practitioners and counsellors. I have managed counselling projects and services in a variety of community contexts offering a rich experience of approaches and situations.
I have been training qualifying counsellors since 2020 which offers me a rich perspective of supervision needs across a range of Placements and practitioners on training levels 4 -7. I also facilitate DClinPsych students' reflective practice sessions.
I lecture on foundation and post graduate level counselling degree courses including the CPCAB TCSU Level 6 Supervision course.
I have an MA Soc. Science degree in Counselling Psychology, a BA Honours degree in Psychology and a BA degree; for education I have a PGCE.
I am completing a Diploma in Person Centred Supervision with Janet Tolan in 2025-26.
My supervision offering assists practitioners to gain an insider to outsider witness perspective of themselves in relation to their work with clients, finding opportunities for movement and growth. I suggest a consultation call to see if you would like to work with me. I currently work online, occasional face to face meetings may be possible. I charge £40.00 per 45 mins or £60.00 per 90 mins sessions.
Consulting
I have worked with grass roots to Executive level individuals, teams and organisations in the public, private and non profit sector.
I am skilled in designing, developing and implementing mental health and counselling projects; assessing quality and systems of delivery.
I can offer debriefing and counselling services in times of crisis and change.
I can offer team building sessions and well being workshops for small and large groups.
I work with a network of people in leadership roles that can bring a range of skills to your situation.
Please get in touch to discuss your needs.
Professional registration
I am professionally registered as a counsellor and supervisor with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
https://www.bacp.co.uk/therapists/382137/genevieve-walters/
Please contact me directly via the text or email, details below
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