Personal Information

Wendy Coad

From an outer London childhood moving to a life in West Sussex in 1975. Originally trained and qualified as a chef -feeding people!

Following an accident, I re-trained as a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor with additional training to DANOS (Drugs and Alcohol National Occupational Standards) standards, including CBT, SFBT, REBT and MI. I work eclectically and individually tailor all my work to suit the needs of the client. I use; Psychodynamic; Gestalt; Person Centered and Phenomenology. I have a lively and busy private practice based here in Slinfold, West Sussex.

I initially worked as a volunteer for Surrey Drug and Alcohol Care Limited (SDAC) Helpline dedicated to those suffering from drugs and alcohol dependency and those affected by it. Following my election to Chairman, I was instrumental in bringing the organisation into the 21st Century. We were nominated as the Single Point of Contact for the whole of Surrey following the recognition of the professionalism of the volunteers.

The training package for volunteers which I produce, maintain and deliver works towards DANOS. In 2011 SDAC Limited were awarded The Queen's Golden Jubilee Award for Voluntary Service in the Community. The services I currently provide are consultancy and training for members of SDAC. I have set up a successful Telephone Counselling Service for substance users, their friends and families through SDAC. I am currently in the process of getting the telephone service into Surrey prisons for the serving prisoners and their significant others.

A colleague and I designed, managed and implemented a Domestic Violence Programme in West Sussex, working with children aged 5 to18 years of age who were currently living in a domestic violence environment. This was a pilot scheme, which was further developed to incorporate counselling sessions for the resident parent. Both children and parents were offered 12 sessions of one to one counselling followed by group work which was open ended.

With a colleague, I developed a counselling service for those experiencing bullying. Beatbullying is aimed at young people aged up to 19 years of age. An internet based site for young people who have or are experiencing bullying or the aftermath of such. I provided one to one, on line counselling and monitoring of the 'chat room'.

I worked for Social Services on the Child Protection Team for a few years, undergoing their child focused training programs and utilising my training of John Bolby's theories.

I run groups with leadership, warmth, understanding and good listening skills, yet not attempting to force ideas onto others. Creatively working with people, as an original thinker working in a rational way to ensure desired results are achieved in an orderly manner.

My interests are varied although possibly, being with friends, meeting new ones, family, reading, research, walking, gardening, travel and animals are my greatest relaxations.