Beth Hicks

Humanistic Integrative Counsellor

Beth is a qualified counsellor and registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy. She has a sound theoretical knowledge of a wide range of counselling theories, has a special interest in both attachment theory and trauma, and has a vast amount of experience of working with trauma. For Young Devon, Beth has worked as a counsellor in a Plymouth secondary school. For dBs Music College, Beth has worked with students with additional mental health diagnoses including psychosis and schizophrenia. For First Light, Beth has undertaken specialist sexual violence training. Beth currently works as a counsellor in a secondary school, as a sessional counsellor for First Light and as a specialist mental health mentor for students at both Plymouth and Exeter University. In addition to her counselling work, Beth is a tutor at Heartwood College of Counselling and Psychotherapy where she teaches Level 3 foundation in Counselling, both online and in person. Further to her counselling training, she has a BA degree in drama from an accredited London Drama School. Beth has worked professionally in TV, theatre and film, and co- founded and manages a locally based Theatre company – who focus on topical mental health issues – in which she writes, acts and directs.

Specialism

Adult Therapy, Child Therapy

Locations Covered

Cornwall, Devon

As you may be aware, on the 14th April 2025 the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) announced changes to the Fair Access limit with a reduction of funding to £3000 and the discontinuation of the separate Fair Access Limit for specialist assessments.

We are currently working really hard to amend quotes for ongoing therapy work to fit within the new Fair Access Limit and working closely with Adopt South West and other local RAAs. We are also working closely with other specialist adoption support providers and therapeutic organisations including DDP connects and Theraplay UK to explore how we can continue to deliver specialist therapies within this limit.

If you are waiting for a new package of therapy please look out for correspondence from ASW or your regional adoption support agency, as they will need to regain your consent for the amended therapy contract.

If you are concerned about the impact of the delay on your family or have questions about the therapy or assessment you are waiting for please get in touch with Ellen or Jen and we will do our best to support you.

We will be contributing to a wider response to this and the following is a link to a petition requesting government action – Petition · Action Against ASGSF Changes (Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund) – United Kingdom · Change.org