Simon Milton - Counsellor
Counsellor in Illogan, Cornwall & Online
My name is Simon, a counsellor based out of Illogan, in Cornwall. In this role, I offer a safe, comfortable, confidential, and private space where you can talk freely.
My ethos in this field is that everyone should be comfortable with who they are; meaning that by working together we can explore how to make that happen.
There is no issue too big or too small for us to work on. There is one phrase I hear often, 'Still, there's other people worse than me.' This may be the case and people may be going through things that may make your situation seem insignificant. I can assure you, regardless of how other people are getting on in their own lives, that your feelings are genuine. If life feels difficult, sad, tough, confusing, a mess, uncertain, or you just can't put your finger on it, then let's talk about it.
My Counselling Journey
In 2014, I found myself in a very dark place due to events that were out of my control. After talking with a friend, I sought out a counsellor. I struck lucky in that the first one I tried made me feel very comfortable, and I talked for hours. I came away from those sessions feeling lighter, and being able to see the world more clearly. A few years later, something else happened, and I didn't hesitate to return to counselling; again, the sessions allowed me to put my thoughts in order, recognise what was important to me, and for the second time in my life, I felt lighter.
My professional life up until this point was in the world of classical music. I studied clarinet and piano, and then composition, at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. For many years I taught, performed, and had my work performed by, some great musicians. Upon reflection I have learned two things about this part of my life. Firstly, the ability to interpret and perform music from through the ages and around the world allowed me to give something back by giving audiences and colleagues alike something emotional and powerful, and often beautiful. Secondly, I could listen to people, and this skill is something that has held me in good stead not just through my musical career, but also my counselling one.
As the musical world suffered with several periods of financial recession, I was looking for another career. After a period of some time, I had my eureka moment. Counselling. I started studying at Cornwall College, successfully completing my Level 2 Certificate and then my Level 5 Diploma. Those few years of study exposed me to some great people, both tutors, peers, and later on, clients. I have worked with dozens of individuals, both male, female, non-binary, or trans, and given them a voice.
I am now doing something I love; helping others by listening to them; helping them to be the best people that they can.
Working with PRIDE
I was fortunate that, at the age of 16 when I came out, my life was pretty easy. I wasn't teased or bullied, far from it; I was respected by my friends, family, and classmates.
I soon learned that this was not the case for everybody. During my remaining time at school, on to university and beyond, I witnessed several things happen to friends, colleagues, and individuals in society at large.
People were being bullied, both by people they knew and those they didn't. Families were disowning those that had come out. One friend was a victim of domestic violence from a family member in the name of religion.
This is by no means the total of what I saw going on around me, but it's enough to give you an idea that members of the LGBTQIA+ community can be abused and segregated just because of who they love, who they want to be.
In a previous section I mentioned my ethos that everyone should be comfortable with who they are. That stemmed from my observations of my fellow LGBTQIA+ers. With all the equality they we are gaining, there is still a large amount of depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicidal ideation in the community.
If any of this sounds familiar, or you are trying to work out where you fit into all this, then let's talk.
Type of therapy offered
My training is in Person-centred counselling, a humanistic modality of therapy. Developed in the 1940's in the US by American psychologist Carl Rogers, the core belief is that, given the right conditions, an individual can reach their true potential and become their true self.
As part of this process, I offer three things; unconditional regard, congruence, and empathic understanding. In layman's terms this means that I will not judge you, but will accept you, be honest with you, and view the world as if I was in your shoes.
'The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I change.' - Carl Rogers
Qualifications and work
Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills
Level 5 Diploma in Person Centred Counselling (DipHE)
BA (Hons) Music - Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
Sessions and rates
It is important that you feel comfortable with me, so I offer a free initial sessions that will last between 30 minutes and an hour.
Session rates
My standard sessions rate is currently £40. Please contact me to inquire about concessions.
Face to face or online?
Online sessions are available, as are face to face 'in person' sessions from my space in Illogan.
Those suffering from agoraphobia or anxiety, for example, may wish to partake in online counselling. I can also facilitate a blended approach.
Contact me
Simon Milton Counselling customer privacy notice
This privacy notice tells you what to expect us to do with your personal information.
- Contact details
- What information we collect, use, and why
- Lawful bases and data protection rights
- Where we get personal information from
- How long we keep information
- Who we share information with
- How to complain
Contact details
Telephone
07564762941
talkwithsimonm@gmail.com
What information we collect, use, and why
We collect or use the following personal information to comply with legal requirements:
- Name
- Contact information
We collect or use the following personal information to protect client welfare:
- Names and contact information
- Health and wellbeing information
- Emergency contact details
Lawful bases and data protection rights
Under UK data protection law, we must have a “lawful basis” for collecting and using your personal information. There is a list of possible lawful bases in the UK GDPR. You can find out more about lawful bases on the ICO’s website.
Which lawful basis we rely on may affect your data protection rights which are in brief set out below. You can find out more about your data protection rights and the exemptions which may apply on the ICO’s website:
- Your right of access - You have the right to ask us for copies of your personal information. You can request other information such as details about where we get personal information from and who we share personal information with. There are some exemptions which means you may not receive all the information you ask for. You can read more about this right here.
- Your right to rectification - You have the right to ask us to correct or delete personal information you think is inaccurate or incomplete. You can read more about this right here.
- Your right to erasure - You have the right to ask us to delete your personal information. You can read more about this right here.
- Your right to restriction of processing - You have the right to ask us to limit how we can use your personal information. You can read more about this right here.
- Your right to object to processing - You have the right to object to the processing of your personal data. You can read more about this right here.
- Your right to data portability - You have the right to ask that we transfer the personal information you gave us to another organisation, or to you. You can read more about this right here.
- Your right to withdraw consent – When we use consent as our lawful basis you have the right to withdraw your consent at any time. You can read more about this right here.
If you make a request, we must respond to you without undue delay and in any event within one month.
To make a data protection rights request, please contact us using the contact details at the top of this privacy notice.
Our lawful bases for the collection and use of your data
Our lawful bases for collecting or using personal information to comply with legal requirements:
- Consent - we have permission from you after we gave you all the relevant information. All of your data protection rights may apply, except the right to object. To be clear, you do have the right to withdraw your consent at any time.
- Contract – we have to collect or use the information so we can enter into or carry out a contract with you. All of your data protection rights may apply except the right to object.
Our lawful bases for collecting or using personal information to protect client welfare are:
- Consent - we have permission from you after we gave you all the relevant information. All of your data protection rights may apply, except the right to object. To be clear, you do have the right to withdraw your consent at any time.
- Contract – we have to collect or use the information so we can enter into or carry out a contract with you. All of your data protection rights may apply except the right to object.
Where we get personal information from
- Directly from you
How long we keep information
Duration of working relationship plus six years
Who we share information with
Others we share personal information with
- Emergency services
- Organisations we’re legally obliged to share personal information with
- Third parties:
-
- Supervisor
How to complain
If you have any concerns about our use of your personal data, you can make a complaint to us using the contact details at the top of this privacy notice.
If you remain unhappy with how we’ve used your data after raising a complaint with us, you can also complain to the ICO.
The ICO’s address:
Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Helpline number: 0303 123 1113
Website: https://www.ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint
Last updated
30 September 2024
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