DOWEGA LEWIN-MCKINLEY
Director of Perez Counselling & Psychotherapy Service

QUALIFICATIONS

BA (Hons/Diploma in Social Work) (REG HCPC-SW57633)
Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (MBACP 375168)

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP

I am a certified Counsellor/Psychotherapist and a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). This framework ensures I receive frequent supervision to guarantee my practice is always delivered in the best interest of my clients.https://www.bacp.co.uk/events-and-resources/ethics-and-standards/ethical-framework-for-the-counselling-professions/

THE MEANING OF THE WORD PEREZ means to breakthrough, which is also connected to the following words, productive insight, penetration of a barrier, steps in the right direction, success, fine improvement, innovation, revolution, progress, making headway and advancement.

The choice to build Perez Counselling and Psychotherapy Service on this word is because I strongly believe therapy is a great platform from which breakthrough can be experienced.

Experiencing breakthrough empowers an individual to trust themselves as the expert in making changes in their life, it builds resilience and this is where making headway becomes less and less of a struggle.

EXPERIENCE

I have counselled the bereaved within a Hospice setting since 2017 -April 2019. I have also counselled children in an educational setting experiencing the impact of family breakdown. As well as being in Private Practice I work alongside a Residential Children’s Home providing staff with recommendations and guidance in relation to working therapeutically with their children and Young People. 

My journey however started 15 years ago in an informal fashion as a Registered Social Worker. There I worked with Young People and Adults. These roles brought great satisfaction, training, experience in group work and insight into the complex internal and external challenges we all can face. Having spent time listening to clients over the years, my passion to journey with them at a deeper more meaningful level  began to grow. Being a Social Worker did not permit the length of time with clients that was needed to make this possible.
​
It was from this frustration  that I re-trained as a Counsellor/Psychotherapist. This   enabled me to  consolidate and add to my learning and experiences. From this I also  fine turned my skills and techniques as well as gained more. 

Becoming a counsellor was not without looking inwardly and experiencing  counselling myself. My change through therapy confirmed that change is possible if we want it.  This  makes me a therapist who has every confidence that you can do the same.

MY MODALITY

I am an Integrative Therapist who combines Person Centred and Psycho-dynamic interventions when working with clients. This means I explore with clients what they are experiencing in the here and now, as well as past experiences. This can be very insightful and life changing when there is a connection to current patterns of relating.

I also use “Gestalt” and “CBT” techniques as well as meditations, positive affirmations and creative exercises. I find that these combined ways of working aid movement in the clients exploration of self, awareness and change. As a therapist, these approaches allow a holistic perspective to be taken, which enables the many layers of an individual to be seen. This too enhances the therapeutic relationship and makes the work valuable and worthwhile.

ISSUES EXPERIENCED WITH

• Bereavement
• Loss
• Stress
• Anxiety
• Guilt
• Fear
• Depression
• Low self-esteem
• Personal Development
• Anger
• Cultural Issues
• Faith Issues
• Family Conflicts
• Relationships
• Bullying
• Rejection
• Adoption
• Fostering
• Abortion
• Work related issues
• Women’s Issues

With my experience, skill and knowledge, I  journey with Children (through play) Young People and Adults. ( Advanced DBS/first Aid Certificate in place)

If your issues are not listed above, please do not hesitate to make contact, as it is still possible that I could work with you. How is this you may ask, well, this is because I believe strongly in the trusted relationship formed between client and therapist being of the highest importance to the work.

 

• 

• 

•