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My Nostell: Emily Del-Grande Therapeutic Counselling

Published: 26.10.22 | by Gayle Summers, Estate Administrator | 4 minute read

Therapeutic counsellor, Emily Del-Grande, gives us insight into the reasons behind her recent move to The Nostell Estate.

tell us more about your business…

I’m an integrative therapist, so I don’t use a one-size-fits-all approach to my clients. I provide flexible counselling sessions to meet the needs of the individual. That could be face-to-face or a remote session via Zoom; I’m entirely flexible. I also offer walk-and-talk therapy, and The Nostell Estate provides the perfect setting.

I’m fully certified, supporting adults and children. For anyone reading this who’s considering counselling, I would be more than happy to have a brief confidential chat to help you understand whether I’m the right therapist for you. You can also read more about me on my website.

how did you get into counselling?

I originally worked in a primary school as a teaching assistant, where I was involved in offering draw and talk therapy to a pupil. I loved how a simple intervention opened communication and explained the child’s feelings. From there, I decided to train as a counsellor.

My counselling journey began with a placement working with adults affected by drug and alcohol misuse.

At the same time, I moved into secondary education as a mental health coordinator for a Wakefield-based high school. I loved my time working with children in an educational setting; they taught me so much! I moved into private practice counselling because I felt I was better placed to help individuals (of all ages) requiring therapy.

you mentioned ‘walk and talk’ therapy. What is that?

Walk-and-talk therapy is an excellent alternative to the traditional therapy room. It’s just as it sounds – we talk while walking during the session. There are multiple benefits, with many clients finding it a calming and refreshing way to communicate. There are obvious physical benefits as well as psychological ones. My location at The Nostell Estate is ideal for this style of therapy, with National Trust Nostell Priory parkland just a stone’s throw away.

I discovered the Estate when visiting my supervisor and fellow Yorkshire House tenant, Sally Kirkbright. Sally was supportive of my decision to move here, understanding the site’s suitability for walk-and-talk therapy herself.

was the location the main reason for moving to the nostell estate?

It did play a part in my decision to choose The Nostell Estate, but there were other reasons too. After 16 months of private practice alongside a full-time role within education, I knew my clients would benefit from my relocation. Providing counselling services from a home-based setting is not ideal.

At The Nostell Estate, I have a relaxed, private office where clients can feel comfortable. There’s ample free parking, which makes the whole experience less stressful, particularly if it’s their first visit. The more unexpected personal benefit of being here is the sense of community. Having Meridian on the doorstep is fantastic, and you tend to bump into people walking around the Estate. It’s nice to speak to people from different businesses in various sectors. The level of natural interaction is beneficial for solo workers.

what’s next for your business?

I’m focused on settling into my new office and continuing to provide my services to existing and new clients. I’m genuinely excited to be here and looking forward to moving my business forward. Alongside my counselling practice, I’ve also recently launched The Yorkshire Consultancy Co. to improve the mental health of children and staff in education. Having worked in education for several years, I’ve seen first-hand the growing need for mental health support services to assist staff in dealing with difficult situations. Through the Yorkshire Consultancy Co, I directly offer training courses, supervision and workplace training to educational establishments. I’m very excited about what the future holds for my counselling services.

Emily Del Grande is located in Office 4, Yorkshire House at Nostell Estate. You can find her contact detai ls here.