I am a UKCP registered Systemic and Family Psychotherapist, clinical supervisor and trainer working in Cardiff. My clinical practice is divided between private practice working with individuals, couples and families, and also as a provider of the counselling and therapy service for the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, which I have been been delivering along with a colleague since 1999.
My interest in mindfulness developed when I was working as a programme leader for a postgraduate integrative counselling training at Newport University (now University of South Wales) and I was enthusiastic about the huge potential mindfulness might have for students within a higher education context. I started to teach mindfulness for performance anxiety and stress reduction at the Royal Welsh college of Music and Drama in 2009 and, in 2013, I co- founded with Professor Kate Malleson the Mindfulness in Higher Education network and Mindfulness for Students website. In partnership with Oxford Mindfulness Centre, we have facilitated several workshop days on mindfulness in higher education.
Since 2010, I have been teaching open access courses in Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) in Cardiff and also have taught children with special educational and emotional needs in an out of school setting. I have taught courses to CAMHS staff as well as to psychotherapists, educational psychologists and teachers working in special schools.
I am the founder of Mindfulness Without Borders, a project funded by Oxford Mindfulness Centre, which provides trauma and culturally adapted mindfulness courses for refugee communities in Cardiff and London. MWB works in partnership with refugee organisations and other initiatives to bring mindfulness resources in Arabic and other languages to a wider community. Its work also includes training teachers within the refugee and BME community to teach mindfulness courses.
Qualifications
- MSc Systemic Psychotherapy – The Family Institute, University of South Wales
- PG Dip Counselling – Newport University
- Psychology Bsc Hons – University College London
- Mindfulness teacher training facilitated by Mark Williams and Melanie Fennell 2009 Oxford Mindfulness Centre
- Jon Kabat Zinn and Saki Santorelli 2012 in conjunction with UMASS held in Salzburg
- Mindfulness Supervision training – Bangor University
Teaching-Training Specialisms
- Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy in clinical settings
- Mindfulness for performance anxiety
- Mindfulness in the workplace
- Mindfulness for teachers and in education
- Mindfulness in higher education
- Mindfulness-based interventions for trauma
Supervision Experience
I have been offering clinical supervision for 15 years as part of my psychotherapy practice. I have been offering mindfulness-based supervision to mindfulness teachers since March 2015.
Supervision Specialisms
- Mindfulness in higher education
- Mindfulness for clinical populations
- Mindfulness in schools
Supervision Rate
1 hour individual session – £50-£60
½ hour individual session – £25-£35
Please see our Supervision FAQs for more details on the cost of supervision.
Personal Practice
I have practiced yoga and been interested in contemplative traditions since I was a teenager. I have a daily mindfulness practice and am currently on the Committed Practitioners programme with Bodhi College. I regularly attend retreats at Gaia House and for the last six years have met with a small group of mindfulness teachers and practitioners in Cardiff.
Research Activities and Interests
I am interested in mindfulness in higher education, as well as developing the potential for mindfulness-based interventions to work with trauma and, in particular, with refugees.
Publications
Books
Faris, A and van Ooijen, E (2012) Integrative |Counselling and Psychotherapy: A relational approach. London, Sage
Papers
Faris. A (2012) Mindfulness for Students September, Therapy Today Vol.23 issue 7
Faris, A and van Ooijen, E (2009) Integrating Approaches, Therapy Today; June, Vol.20, Issue 5, pp24-27
Further Information
Ariana’s website – www.changetalk.co.uk
