Heather Dale Counselling and Therapy in Keighley, West Yorkshire

Heather Dale, Counselling, Psychotherapy and Clinical Supervision in Keighley and West Yorkshire and elsewhere.

Welcome to my website.

Welcome!
I am Heather Dale, a therapist with over 40 years’ experience of working therapeutically with a variety of difficulties. I am also a supervisor, working with both qualified and trainee therapists.Over the years, I’ve worked with individuals facing various challenges, including visual impairment, sexual abuse, work-related stress, bereavement, life changes, and more. My apporach tends to be quite pragmatic so we start by finding out what works best for you.

I live and work near Bradford, in Bingley in West Yorkshire. I am also a supervisor, working with both qualified and trainee therapists. I write some more about this toward the end of this page

I am happy to provide both long-term ( a year or more) and short-term therapy ( which might be anything from one session upwards). Long-term work is ideal for deep-rooted issues, while short-term therapy can address sudden changes like bereavement or shifts in work patterns. Ultimately, the choice of how long we work together is yours.

In these pages, I hope to share insights about therapy, how it functions, and what I can offer you. If you have questions that aren’t answered here, please feel free to reach out. Later on, you’ll find my contract, which may address some of your inquiries. But to begin with are you looking for:

Counselling or Psychotherapy?
Many people wonder about the difference between counselling and psychotherapy. While definitions vary, I use these terms interchangeably. Both are focused on helping individuals gain insights and make positive changes. Traditionally, counselling addresses current life issues, while psychotherapy delves deeper into root causes. However, the lines have blurred, and many training programmes now encompass both approaches.

At its core, therapy, of whatever kind. provides a non-judgmental, confidential space to talk. It aims to offer new perspectives and insights, helping you understand how past experiences may shape your current life. This understanding can empower you to change unhelpful patterns.

Some more of what I offer:


A safe space to explore both past and present issues, allowing for the expression of thoughts and feelings in a supportive environment.

An opportunity to gain fresh insights and understand your unique way of being.

Time to reflect on how past events might influence your current life.

The chance to identify and reconsider unhelpful patterns that you might want to change.

I work with individuals seeking therapy, as well as trainees and experienced therapists (both online and in person). If we connect online or by phone, it’s important that you’re in a private space where our conversation remains confidential. I encourage you to take some time both before and after our sessions to think about what you want to discuss and reflect on what we’ve talked about. While it’s not essential, it can enhance your experience.

I continue to offer face-to-face sessions, particularly for supervision. Don’t hesitate to reach out, regardless of which option feels best for you. Whether face to face or on-line I work in an upstairs room in my home. It is accessible by public transport links, from Keighley, Bingley, Bradford, Skipton or Leeds, but please be aware if you arrive early, there is no waiting room, though the local community shop (a two minute walk away) serves hot drinks. My therapy room is up a short flight of stairs, so may not be suitable for people with mobility issues.

The beauty of online therapy is that you can connect with me from your own home or any quiet, private spot. For some, this might mean finding a peaceful garden or taking a walk alone. Plus, it eliminates travel time, making it easier to schedule sessions. If you’re unsure, why not give it a try?

Theoretical Approach ( this may be of particular interest to potential supervisees)
My therapeutic approach is grounded in a couple of key beliefs:
First, from Irving Yalom, “It’s the relationship that heals.” I believe that building a strong therapeutic relationship is essential. Establishing a clear understanding of what you need in our early sessions is crucial to our work together.
Second, “The unexamined life is not worth living,” as stated by Socrates. This idea resonates with me as I see the value in understanding ourselves—learning from both the good and the bad to make sense of our lives and our world.

I am a senior therapist, accredited and registered with the BACP. My accreditation reflects my training, qualifications, and experience, and I’m honored to hold a Fellowship for my contributions to professional ethics in the field of therapy

To learn more about BACP's ethical framework, please click on the link to external resources. You can also find my contract, which outlines important information about confidentiality and other aspects of our work together.

Supervision


I have been a supervisor for over 40 years and really enjoy this work. I offer supervison to therapists at all levels: right through from trainees seeing their first clients right through to experienced therapists reaching or considering retirement,

My philosophy of supervision is that supervision should always offer a safe place to explore issues mainly around client work. It is also about the whole of the supervisee’s professional development, though with an emphasis on client work, especially in the early days of seeing clients.

Supervision also includes space to monitor ethical practice, to encourage professional development and to offer a safe space to explore, and examine emotions, and to re-charge batteries. In particular I encourage ethical thinking whether you are a student or an experienced therapist.

I will normally ask you how you see supervision working so we can work out our most helpful way of working together. If you are a trainee, you may need a particular way of working in order to satisfy course or placement demands and we can discuss this.



For more information please contact me.



What Happens Next

We’ll typically begin with a brief phone chat to discuss your needs. After that, we can set up an initial appointment, and I’ll send you my contract and other paperwork before our first session, whether online or in person. That first session will help us determine if we’re a good fit for each other. If we decide to continue, therapy can be an open-ended journey.

I look forward to hearing from you and perhaps starting out together. Currently, I have space, either on-line or face to face near Bingley on Mondays , Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but not Thursdays, Fridays or at the weekend.
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