Andrew Thomas
BSc (Hons), MSc, MA, MBACP (Accred), MAPA
​
Counselling Qualifications, Accreditation and Ethics
Trained to postgraduate level in Relationship Therapy (2009 - 2012). I am a member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) and have been awarded accredited status after a stringent vetting process that assesses training, experience and ethics. I work under the Ethical Framework laid down by the BACP.
I am also a member of the American Psychological Association, which, in addition to its code of conduct, provides invaluable resources that support my ongoing research on the tools and concepts I have developed, which are being used by other professionals.
Ongoing Training
Maintaining membership in the BACP and APA requires ongoing training. I also read extensively to stay up to date with the rapid changes since I qualified, particularly in neuroscience and relationships.
Experience
I made an early decision to specialise as a couple counsellor; however, I also work with individuals by referral if it appears my approach might benefit them. Working with two people at once profoundly changes the nature of the client-counsellor interaction compared to individual work. I have accumulated thousands of hours of experience working with couples who bring a wide range of issues to counselling.
Following the publication of my 2019 article in the BACP’s Therapy Today journal, interest in the tools and concepts I developed for my own practice grew enormously. Today they are being used by counsellors across the world in their work with thousands of couple and individual clients. I support this side of my work through the www.SelfMapping.org website on a not-for-profit basis.
Background
​
With a background in business and coaching at senior levels I am comfortable working with couples who are successful in their chosen careers and expect excellence from themselves and those who they work with.
​
After studying in the UK and the USA I worked as a petroleum engineer before starting data processing and management coaching businesses in the early 90s that expanded across Europe and the USA. I sold the data business in 1999 to a US based corporation.
After that I focussed part-time on executive coaching for ten years working to permanent secretary level in the UK government and private sector leaders across Europe and the US. In 2009 I felt I wanted a new learning challenge and trained with Relate, a UK based relationship focussed charity, gaining an MA in Relationship Therapy.
​
​Today I run a small private practice for clients who want to work with a highly trained and experienced counsellor who has direct experience of their high pressure lifestyle. I work with up to seven couples to maintain quality and leave me time to support my not-for-profit website that provides free self-help tools and concepts that I have developed since I qualified. I also write articles in professional journals and am currently focussed on turning this PowerPoint presentation on what I call Homeostatic Discomfort Theory into an article for a leading psychology publication.
​
The SelfMapping website is used as a training resource by mental health professionals working in all mainstream approaches worldwide and by individuals who cannot wait for or afford professional help, or simply would never engage with a counsellor.
​
​Born in 1961, sailor, cyclist and golfer. Married with two children.