HomeConsultationsCounsellingLife CoachingCouple CounsellingTrauma TherapyAboutContact

About & Useful Resources

About

Joanne Shiels, Fd Sc in Counselling, Adv Dip MHWBC, COSCA Cert. EMDR level 1 & 2, (Acc) MNCS, Reg. MBACP, Mem. EMDR Association UK & Ireland.

My original career choice was catering and the food industry. I specialized in Bakery and Patisserie and eventually started my own Cake Business. At the same time I bought my first house and developed a passion for property restoration and managing a property portfolio.

I knew nothing about Mental Health issues until I took ill myself during my four pregnancies. Suffering Hyperemesis Gravidarum, Pre-Natal Depression and Post- Natal Depression certainly gave me an education and a whole new perspective on life. However, nothing could have prepared me, my husband and family for what was going to happen thirteen weeks after delivery of our fourth child. This time Postpartum Psychosis and Manic Depression came out of nowhere and ‘hit’ me and our happy home like a ‘tornado’.

It was while I travelled down this very long, difficult and often lonely road to recovery that I met many hurdles and unusual challenges. Hospitalisation was one thing but dealing with Stigma after diagnosis was something else and equally traumatising. To make matters worse support for all of us at that time was non - existent.

So I decided to do something about it and give people like me a voice. While I trained as a Therapist my husband and I started a small support group which has now evolved into a Private Practice. I firmly believe counselling offers clients a safe, non judgemental space to be heard, understood and valued; which is so vital to recovery.

Professional Memberships

Joanne Shiels is:

  • An Accredited Member of the National Counselling Society (NCS)
  • A Registered Member of British Association of Counsellors & Psychotherapists (BACP)
  • A Member of EMDR Association UK & Ireland.

Useful Resources

Copyright © 2023 - Balm Counselling