About Us

Simon Hawkins the founder and lead therapist of Clifton Psychotherapy has been working for almost 30 years within multiple helping and supportive roles. Dealing with topics such as trauma & abuse, loss & bereavement, self-confidence and anxiety issues.

 

His journey into the world of counselling and psychotherapy started 20 years ago, and this is a journey that is, and will continue to be ongoing. With Simon far exceeding all organisational requirements in further professional training, supervision, and personal development year in and year out.

Working solely as a therapist and trainer, Simon is able to dedicate far more time to this field than many of his contemporaries juggling multiple professions which shows in his ever growing repertoire of therapeutic training and experience.

 

During the pandemic, Simon worked non-stop providing psychological support to both the NHS as well as the other emergency services; ensuring that they were emotionally strong enough to provide the front line work necessary in keeping the general public safe at a time that was challenging and scary for everyone.

 

Since then, he still provides this support as needed, and this has expanded to also include support for staff in schools, colleges and universities, referrals from social services & victim support as well as in his private practice.

 

However; it is here that he has seen a significant rise in cases of many people both young and old reporting feelings of loss of identity and direction. Helplessness and a lack of control regarding the environment, the cost of living, uncertainty in the governments worldwide, as well as a planet seemingly full of war and conflict.

 

There have also been huge rises in the requests for relationship therapy and burnout from social media overload, combined with social anxiety and a sense of isolation.

 

Simon also provides training and supervision for other therapists and medical professionals.

 

He is a member of the Professional Standards Authority Accredited Register as a counsellor, psychotherapist, supervisor and coach for both The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) as well as the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) where he holds registered status and senior accredited status respectively. Simon is also a senior professional member of the Association for Counselling & Therapy Online (ACTO).

 

Full details of Simon’s qualifications and experience can be found on the BACP, NCPS, ACTO, IFS UK & IFS International, IMAGO UK and The Counselling Directory websites as well as below.

 

Due to the high demand for therapeutic services currently; we also work with a fantastic network of experienced therapists who hold the minimum of Diploma level qualifications, have the appropriate levels of insurance, meet DBS criterion for working with vulnerable adults and children and are members of at least one of the UK accredited counselling or psychotherapy organisations.

Academic Qualifications:

BSc Psychology (BPS Approved)

 

Professional Qualifications: 

PG Certificate in Counselling & Psychotherapy Practice (BACP Accredited)

PG Certificate in Counselling (BACP Accredited)

PG Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (Integrative) (BACP Accredited)

ADV Diploma in Counselling Supervision (Level 7, NCPS Accredited)

Certificate in Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level 1

Certificate in Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level 2

Certificate in Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level 3

Certificate in Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level 2

(working with addiction & addictive processes)

Certificate in Clinical Supervision (BPS Approved)

Certificate in Engaging with Adults who have been Sexually Abused

OCST1 Online Counselling Skills Diploma

Certificate in Couple Counselling

IMAGO Relationship Therapy (awaiting confirmation of certification)

Counselling Children & Young People Diploma

Cruse Awareness in Bereavement Care Course

CBT for Anxiety Certificate

Pre-Trial Therapy Training

ICISF Accredited Training in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) and used by NATO

Certificate in Sand Play Studies

Professional Organisational Membership/Status:

Senior Accredited Member of The National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS)

Senior Accredited Approved Supervisor of The National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS)

Senior Professional Member of The Association for Counselling & Therapy Online (ACTO)

Senior Professional Supervisor of The Association for Counselling & Therapy Online (ACTO)

Registered Member of The British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

Member of IMAGO UK

Member of Internal Family Systems (IFS) UK

Member of Internal Family Systems (IFS) International

 

Professional Standards Authority (PSA) Accredited Register Membership:

BACP Register

NCPS Register

NCPS Register Children & Young People (CYP)

NCPS Register Relationship Therapy

 

Further Training:

Certificate in Life Coaching (The Coaching Academy)

BACP Endorsed Coaching for Counsellors

BACP Endorsed Coaching Masterclass

BACP & ABH Endorsed Hypnotherapy Training

BACP & ABH Endorsed Hypnotherapy Masterclass

 

Currently Undertaking:

Advanced IMAGO Relationship Therapy Training

Specialist Areas

Depression
Anxiety
Stress
Social isolation
Addiction
Loss & Bereavement
Domestic abuse
Sexual abuse
Sexuality
Anger issues
phobias
Suicide and self-harm
Trauma (including complex trauma)
Critical Incident Stress Management
Relationship Therapy
Online & Telephone Counselling
Clinical Supervision for therapists and students
Training
Coaching

 

Types of therapy

Face to face therapy for individuals, couples & families
IMAGO Relationship Therapy
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy
Addiction Therapy
Counselling young People (16+)
Short term Counselling
Long term Counselling & Psychotherapy
Online and Telephone Counselling
Home Visits
Walk and Talk Therapy
Supervision
Training
Coaching

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step"

Lao Tzu