uTalk. uGrow. uLive
Our mission is to provide an exceptional counselling service, with a multi-disciplinary approach to emotional health and well-being.
About Us
We see uHub as having something for everyone, from small children right through to adults.
We have an exceptional team, delivering talking therapy, drama, music, creative, holistic therapies and yoga. Our clients can choose which therapies best suit their needs.
Promoting emotional wellness, balance and contentment.
We are both fully qualified counsellors, registered with BACP and with specialisms in cognitive behavioural therapy, life coaching and working with children and adults with autism or those who have experienced trauma or bereavement. We also have years of experience working with adults suffering from anxiety, depression, phobic anxieties, trauma, bereavement issues and other mental health issues.
We are a fresh thinking and innovative social enterprise in North Down. Our uHub will provide a space for talking therapies, life coaching, CBT and also holistic therapies and yoga which will provide a complement to our talking work.
All our counsellors are members of BACP and adhere to their ethical guidelines. We provide a safe and confidential environment where feelings can be explored. We work from an integrated approach, psychodynamic/person centred which we tailor to meet the needs of each individual so they can get the best possible service and experience from their counselling.
We aim to offer a warm, supportive and non-judgemental way of working, which is focused around your needs. By talking and understanding your current situation, and often your past, it is hoped that your presenting issues can be greatly improved. Our clients are offered an initial assessment where counsellor and client will work in collaboration to agree an approach for the work.
At uHub we have a wealth of experience working with children and young people including those with ASD, ADHD and behavioural problems. Our approach can be tailored to include creative therapy, CBT and systemic practice.
Give us a call to chat through how we work and how we might be able to help you.
T. 028 9188 8448
Services
Talking Therapies
Face to face counselling, short or long term. With experienced registered counsellors. We provide a safe and confidential environment were feelings can be explored. We work from an integrated approach, psychodynamic/person centred which we tailor to meet the needs of each individual.
Huddles
A programme in North Down to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This includes a Huddle Club – an after school drop-in for children with ASD and their siblings. To support children with behavioural problems, social or communication needs, and low confidence and self-esteem.
Kids & Teens
We work with children and teens at a vital stage of their development. We offer them support to cope with emotional and behavioural difficulties which has a positive impact on relationships in the family, home and school.
Spectrum
For those with or awaiting an ASD diagnosis:
By providing bespoke and versatile support and therapeutic services, we will use our experience and expertise to help children and adults cope in the real world and make steps towards having a better quality of life, dealing with anxiety and increasing their self-confidence.
Holistic
Holistic therapies such as massage, EFT, Reiki & Yoga will be used to help dispel some anxiety and prepare the client for more intensive talking therapies.
Creative Therapies
We have created links with specialised creative therapists, music therapists and play therapists, who we will work together with to deliver multi-disciplinary ‘huddles @uHub’ for children and adults
Careers
We also aim to link up with a local college and provide a training bursary for one or two trainee counsellors per year. As part of that program, we will provide them with free mentoring, supervision and specialist training opportunities with other organisations.
Corporate
uHub will serve your local community, North Down and Ards. As such we want to partner up with forward thinking local companies who put people at the centre of their business. Be those employees, customers, suppliers or the community at large.
Call us for a chat about which service would be suitable for you or your loved one
T. 028 9188 8448
Meet the Team
Pamela Kirkpatrick
Pamela (Pam) is the clinical lead at uhub and a co-founder, any support you may need for yourself or for anyone you may be working with, Pam will happily support you or them or support you to support them through that process.
Pam has too many years to count working as a counsellor and coach in the community and voluntary sector, she also worked as the mental health representative for the Belfast trust and a client coordinator for action mental health.
Pam is passionate about her work and her huddle project and at home, she is most passionate about Lola (lab on the right) and Asha and of course her new addition biscuit the parrot. Pam is also a keen Baker (requests on a postcard) and loves spending time with her family especially at Christmas…..as that's her most favourite time of the year.
Rachel Cooley
Rachel is the Project Administrator for uHub Therapy Centre. Rachel has over 10 years working in admin and events in the voluntary and community sector working for CO3, Informing Choices and on a freelance basis. Rachel loves watching sports, especially rugby and cycling (yes cycling really!!). Rachel enjoys getting out and about for a walk, especially by the sea in her hometown of Donaghadee. A social being at heart, Rachel enjoys cooking for others, spending time with her friends and of course her beloved Marge, the cat she adopted years ago. Rachel is also a devoted auntie to her two nephews who live in Edinburgh; thank goodness for FaceTime and budget airlines.
Gayle Vance
Gayle is a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). She holds diplomas in Integrative Counselling, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Coaching and Working Therapeutically with Children and Young People. She has experience of working across a wide range of issues with children, young people and adults. Gayle specialises in bereavement, loss and attachment counselling, with over 10 years experience and specialist training in this area.
Julie Stuart
Julie is Volunteer Co-Ordinator at uHub. Julie has had a varied career, from working with school children to trying to get politicians and senior civil servants to work together to plan for the future – surprisingly similar apart from the egos!! Julie lives in the middle of nowhere where she is kept busy and juggles lots of tasks including tending to her jungle garden and being Chairperson for the Board of Governors at her daughter’s school. On the rare occasion that Julie takes time off, she likes to read and bake a little but mostly likes to hide and sleep.
Sonia Byrne
Sonia is a qualified counsellor. She has an advanced diploma in integrative counselling and in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Sonia is a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy. (BACP). Sonia has experience working with teenagers and adults with a variety of issues. She specialises in bereavement counselling and has over ten years experience in this area.
Cara Swanston
Cara graduated with a diploma in integrative counselling and went on this year to complete a advanced diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. She is a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and hopes to be accredited very soon. She has been working for several years within the voluntary sector and gained a vast amount of experience during this time working with a wide range of issues.
Emma Rea
A registered member of BACP, Emma has been with uHub since 2017. Emma uses an integrative approach. With a person-centered and humanistic style, Emma's priority will always be to keep the client at the centre of all her work. Using a relaxed and personable approach, Emma supports client work across the community through a range of areas including suicide ideation, self-harm, depression, grief, low self-esteem, sexual orientation, anxiety, anger, survivors of abuse/sexual abuse.
Delia Graham
Delia is a registered member of BACP and has been a counsellor at uHub since 2017. She works therapeutically with adults and teenagers and takes a creative, integrated approach based on client needs. Delia is interested in the body-mind connection and has trained in Embodiment practices with renowned international trainer Deirdre Fay. She believes in helping clients to live more authentically, working to uncover what this means for them, to challenge unhelpful patterns and make more empowered choices.
Selina Allen
Selina qualified as an integrative Counsellor in 2014, since then she has been on an endless learning journey. She has gained qualifications and experience in trauma, addiction, personality disorders, self-harm, suicide, sexual abuse and working therapeutically with children to name a few! Selina has a wide range of experience in the counselling field, working with both children and adults and has gained professional accreditation with the NCS and is a registered member of BACP.
Victoria Gregg
Student counsellor Victoria, is graduating from CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling next August, she is uHub’s Huddle co-ordinator and facilitator as well as lego therapy facilitator for children between 4 and 14. Victoria has been with uHub over a year coordinating the huddles in local schools and uHub’s own Huddle Club. Victoria years of experience working with children in organisations such as Home Start, Child Contact Centre and YMCA.
Mourna Coghlan
Mourna gained her Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling in August 2020. Retiring from Family and Childcare social work 2 years ago, Mourna made the decision to become a counsellor. She has also worked as a mental health support worker and was a volunteer counsellor with Cruse bereavement care for 5 years. Mourna practises an Integrative approach as a member of the Uhub Therapy Team
Lillian Neill
Accredited Counsellor
Higher Diploma in Marriage and Relationship Counselling. As an accredited counsellor I have a passion for and many years experience in working with individuals, couples and families experiencing difficulties in their lives and I specialise in relationship counselling.
In the last few weeks since social and physical distancing I am already witnessing in my work the huge impact this is having on people and their relationships especially those that are already fragile and fraught with difficulties.
The current situation can heighten feelings of uncertainty, fear, loneliness, frustration and anger creating higher levels of anxiety and stress which can be overwhelming, making it difficult to cope or see a positive way forward. What we are experiencing are normal reactions to an extremely abnormal situation but there has never been a more challenging time when it is important to be compassionate with ourselves and those close to us and to be kind in our communication with each other.
If you are experiencing difficulties whether living in isolation or with partners, children and other family member’s, remember you are not alone in what you are experiencing and there is help available where you will receive support in developing coping strategies enabling you to navigate your way through these unprecedented times.
Remember that everything passes and this strange and confusing time will pass also.
Alena Walker
Alena is the PR & Communications Officer at uHub. She’s a big-picture thinker with 7 years of experience working as a writer and communications specialist. She has produced editorial and social media content around the globe, working specifically in the areas of sustainability and community. If she’s not reading or writing, you can probably find her lying under the weight of her 9kg cat or losing at chess.
Claire McKeown
Claire is the Web Developer for uHub who creates and manages the websites for both uHub and My Hub. Claire recently finished her foundation degree with Ulster University in Software Engineering and will be continuing her undergraduate in September 2020. When sh's not working Claire is desperately trying to keep her house plants alive.
Contact us
T. 028 9188 8448
36 Hamilton Rd,
Bangor
BT20 4LE
Our premises consist of one larger room which we hope to use for training and workshops, and three dedicated therapy rooms.
In particular there will be a dedicated play therapy room.
We will also have a fully equipped holistic therapy space to provide holistic therapies to complement our talking therapy.
We have created a tranquil waiting space where you can relax before before sessions with a cuppa.