COMPASSIONATE TRAUMA THERAPY, COUNSELLING AND EMDR FOR ADULTS, TEENS AND CHILDREN.
CLINICAL SUPERVISION FOR ADULT AND CHILD & ADOLESCENT THERAPISTS.
Ric Wilton MSc, MBACP(Accred)
ric@heartthoughts.co.uk 07894 451731
​​Specialism: I compassionately support adults, teenagers, and children (from 7+) who have faced challenging life experiences. This includes those who are healing from the impact of wounding such as bullying, rejection, abandonment, ridicule, emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, as well as cruelty and neglect. I also work with individuals who may not identify their experiences as 'big traumas' but still feel the weight of unresolved pain or distress in their lives, whether encountered in childhood or later in life.
Such difficult experiences can often heighten anxiety and damage self-worth (embedded shame), leading to withdrawal, isolation, and deeply internalised negative beliefs such as feeling 'unsafe, unwanted and unlovable'. I support clients of all ages in reclaiming a sense of safety, restoring their self-worth, and discovering self-acceptance and freedom. I also have experience addressing sensitive issues, including PTSD, self-harm, suicidal ideation, dissociation, pornography use, and various maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Professionalism: I am qualified to Masters level and my training includes Adult Counselling & Psychotherapy, Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), Child & Adolescent EMDR, Trauma Recovery and High Sensitivity. In addition, I am an Accredited Member of the British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP).
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​Accessibility: Whilst my face-to-face counselling is based in Ballymena, I also offer online counselling sessions across Northern Ireland, GB and Internationally. Face-to-face and online, via zoom, works well for teens and adults alike. Face-to-face sessions take place within my private counselling room situated within Ballee Pharmacy, Ballymena, Northern Ireland. Click here for directions.​​​​
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Life: I am a Christian, married and have two teen sons and a 'young adult' daughter. We also have an 'always hungry' retriever and a 'super-sensitive' spaniel! I work with those of all faiths and none. A typical share of life's challenges, yet love has always proven to be more powerful than fear and shame.
​Counselling/Clinical Supervision: I hold a level 5 Diploma in Counsellor Supervision (IACP accredited) providing supervision to both adult and CYP (Child & Young Person) therapists. Find out more about supervision.​
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Booking: Email or call me if you'd like to enquire further or make a booking.
"courage, dear heart"
C.S. Lewis
​'My Heart Thoughts'
FIND URGENT COUNSELLING HELP
lifeline
Lifeline is the Northern Ireland crisis response helpline service for people who are experiencing distress or despair. No matter what your age or where you live in Northern Ireland, if you are or someone you know is in distress or despair, Lifeline is here to help.
People living in Northern Ireland can call Lifeline on 0808 808 8000. Calls to Lifeline are free to people living in Northern Ireland who are calling from UK landlines and mobiles.
Samaritans
www.samaritans.org
We're waiting for your call. Call us for free on 116 123
Whatever you're going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. We're here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
NHS
If you feel that you are a threat to yourself or others then please reach out 24/7 to someone in your local casualty department.
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Your local GP is an important partner in both your physical and mental health.
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www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mental-health-helplines/