Caroline Bickerton MBACP (Accred)
Principal BSL Counsellor
Caroline has had a lifelong involvement in the deaf world as her sister is multi disabled and also profoundly deaf. As a result the whole family were involved in fundraising and social events at the local Deaf Centre in their home city of Leicester.
As a teenager Caroline was a volunteer with both deaf children’s and youth groups and took up her first employment with a deaf organisation in 1971.
Learning BSL on the job and working as a youth and community worker and then a social worker, Caroline was involved in the early days of CACDP and became a Member of the Register of Interpreters (as it was then known) in 1986. Continuing to work as a sign language interpreter led to involvement in mental health assessments, social service meetings and legal proceedings (both criminal and domestic). Through many years experience Caroline became aware of the lack of direct therapy support available to deaf people in times of need.
In 1999 the decision was taken to start on the process of becoming a counselling therapist and after an introductory certificate course in counselling skills, Caroline then began a 2 year part time advanced Diploma in Counselling Studies at the University of Salford. A placement within the student counselling service of the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) meant the opportunity to develop and consolidate her experience by working with both hearing and deaf students. Caroline worked there for 5 years and left in April 2006.
In 2005 Caroline started counselling work in central Manchester using a shared therapy room as a base. Later in 2006 she decided to set up an individual and independent service for deaf people.
After successfully providing an independent BSL counselling service for three years in one North West location f2f is now changing focus and establishing a more flexible service. If you want more information please contact Caroline.
f2f counsellors are all:
• Diploma qualified
• Members of BACP
• Work within the BACP Ethical framework
• Have professional insurance
• Are Deaf aware and understand about Deaf culture
• Deaf or hearing, but have good communication skills
