Bursary expands Audrey’s horizons

A Gloucestershire counsellor is learning from her peers across the world, thanks to a bursary awarded through her landlord.

 

Audrey James changed career six years ago to train as a Psychodynamic counsellor, and in 2013 she set up Restore Counselling Service, based at Gloucester docks.

 

She has now become a member of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation and is benefiting from the wealth of online learning materials at her fingertips.

 

Her membership was funded by the Two Rivers Housing David Garnett Bursary. Audrey lives in a Two Rivers home in Gloucester and she read about the offer in the not-for-profit housing association’s quarterly newsletter.

 

The bursary was launched last year to mark the retirement of the organisation’s longserving Board member and Chair, David Garnett. He is a life-long academic and supporter of housing and education issues, and was keen to further the learning and career aspirations of Two Rivers’ tenants.

All tenants and members of their immediate family were invited to apply, and Audrey was awarded a share of the bursary fund, plus a package of additional practical support to help grow her business and learning ambitions.

 

“I am extremely grateful to the bursary for supporting me, and I know it will improve the help I can give to my clients,” said Audrey “In my line of work it is so important to continue learning and I will always be a perpetual student. I have already learnt so much and I absolutely love it!”

 

Audrey believes we all have an unconscious mind where we harbour feelings that are often too painful to be faced and cause us to put up defences to protect ourselves. Her counselling aims to provide both short-term and open-ended counselling to work with individuals and couples to explore the issues they want to resolve.

 

Professional membership means Audrey can view online seminars, read about best practice, stay up-to-date with techniques and grow credibility in her chosen field.

 

“Audrey really impressed the panel with her professionalism, drive and commitment and we are delighted to do what we can to help grow her business,” said David Powell, Chair of Two Rivers Housing. “At Two Rivers Housing, we try to support our tenants in more ways than simply putting a roof over their heads, and helping them to meet their career ambitions is just one way we can do this.”

Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk