- Thoros is a small, friendly Learning Centre situated on the South Coast; across the road from the beach and the English Channel. We offer a selection of courses, ranging from one-day workshops through to two-year Counselling Diplomas. All courses are organised on a part-time basis in order to offer flexibility to students with other working demands.
At Thoros we prefer a less formal approach to learning, with smaller groups and more opportunity for class participation and interaction. There is a warm welcome awaiting enthusiastic students at Thoros.
Our Philosophy
‘Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.’ – Aristotle circa 300BC
Our Philosophy is based on a passion for inspiring others to develop from the experience of study and to be enabled to exceed their expectations. We believe in the importance of providing a safe, welcoming environment for deep exploration, creativity, understanding, action, and acceptance in every aspect of each individual’s professional and personal growth.
Graduation April 2022
Thoros since 1st September 2021 comes under the umbrella of the charity New Romney Counselling Serivces
Thoros was founded in 2003 and is currently run by…
Rosalind Russell (Dr hc Psychology) – Principal and Lecture for Diploma in Professional Supervision
Psychologist / Psychotherapist
After a career in civil engineering, Ros entered the field of psychology and then psychotherapy over 30 years ago. She progressed from GCSE (studied for fun!) to ‘A’ level, to a BSc (hons) in psychology, having gathered a real passion for better understanding people. To put this knowledge to good use Ros gained a post-graduate diploma in psychotherapy, an advanced post-grad diploma in forensic psychotherapy and a Masters Degree in Counselling & supervision. Ros has her own private Psychotherapy practice, including work in residential care homes for people with learning disabilities who exhibit some form of challenging, and sometimes illegal, behaviour. In 2002, Ros co-wrote and presented an Advanced Diploma course for qualified counsellors and psychotherapists wishing to work in the field of learning disability. Approximately 20 years ago, Ros co-founded New Romney Counselling Services (NRCS) a charity offering low-cost, long or short term, generic counselling to people in the Romney Marsh area. The charity has grown considerably over the years and now has 45 Counsellors offering in excess of 160 sessions per week. Apart from her role as director, Ros also gives clinical counselling supervision to many of the counsellors.
In 2002, Ros co-founded THOROS – Centre for Therapy Learning. This a small, private Training Centre providing training courses and workshops for Psychotherapists, Counsellors, Health Professionals etc. Ros writes and tutors many of these courses and is also responsible for employing outside, appropriately qualified, tutors/specialists. Ros is an accredited Counsellor and approved supervisor with the National Counselling Society and a member of the British Psychological Society and the Institute of Health Promotion and Education. She is also an associate member of the Ann Craft Trust (supporting the needs of vulnerable adults).In her personal life, Ros has been married twice, has 3 grown-up children and 5 grandchildren, all of whom she is very proud. Babysitting is a huge pleasure not a chore for Ros. Her family is very important to her and she loves social occasions when they can all be together. She also loves dancing, reading and sunshine holidays. Ros’ main passion remains in her understanding of others at a deeper level so she can best help them be relieved of distress and move forward to a more fulfilling and positive life.
Adv PG Dip Forensic Psychotherapy,
PG Dip Psychotherapy MIHPE
BSc(Hons) Psychology MBPsS
Cert Supervision
Qualified Cognitive Neuro-Realignment Practitioner
Virginia Godden- Vice Principal and Tutor Next Steps in Counselling
Counsellor/ Supervisor
Virginia has had a varied career history which began with her training to become a registered general nurse, once qualified, Virginia took on a role at the William Harvey Hospital. Later furthering her journey onto managing a small residential home for adults with special educational needs.
Following this Virginia took time out to care for her young family and her work path changed where she began to work with pre-school children, something she hadn’t considered. Virginia then went on to complete her Diploma in Preschool Practice and in turn managing a preschool. She loved working with the children but became aware of the support, listening and advice to parents that was part of the role.
An opportunity arose to become part of the team developing local services under the Sure Start programme. Virginia took a position of Family Support Team Leader and part of the senior management team and went on to set up and facilitate groups for parents, this included a mother, father and baby group, teaching baby massage and baby/toddler yoga, and parenting programmes, such as You Make the Difference. Her role also included offering home visiting, practical and emotional support to families and around accessing services.
During her time at Sure Start Virginia trained to become a counsellor completing Level 2, 3 and 4 Diploma in Counselling Theory and Practice, in turn setting up a private practice and progressing her personal and professional development through completing a Diploma in Professional Supervision.
Today Virginia is running a successful counselling/supervision service alongside working at a local charity offering counselling services. She has taught First Steps in Counselling & Next Steps in Counselling but now is our tutor for Next Steps in Counselling .
Virginia is married and loves spending time with her family and being part of their lives. Things that she likes to do include walking, swimming, reading, spending time with family and friends and taking time out of her busy life. Virginia’s working and personal experiences have helped her to understand and realise the importance of emotional support and mental well-being.
Virginia enjoys teaching at Thoros and finds it a rewarding and satisfying experience. Her aim as your tutor is to support you on your journey while undertaking your training into the counselling profession.
Counsellor/Therapist (Dip, MBACP) Level 4
Diploma in Professional Supervision Level 6
Diploma in Pre School Practice (Early Years)
TQUK Award in Education & Training
Diploma in General Nursing
Makaton Baby Signing Trainer for adults
Makaton You Make the Difference course facilitator
Solihull Approach Foundation course completed
Children’s Safeguarding Trained for Designated Person (Children’s Centre Managers)
NHS NFER Schedule of Growing Skills Trained
Baby Massage and Movement/ Yoga/Rhythm Kids trainer for adults
Teresa Walker Tutor – Level 4
Teresa is an experienced teacher/lecturer having worked for many years in adult, further and higher education. She is also a qualified counsellor and has worked in private practice as well as volunteering in the well-being centre of her local further education college. Her special counselling interests involve working with young people and issues surrounding rural distress.
She started her working life as a shepherd, calf-rearer and milk recorder and she still lives on a farm and has an abiding interest and involvement in the countryside and everything connected with the farming way of life. Teresa enjoys working creatively and in her spare time she loves drawing, painting and photography.
Qualifications:
Registered Member of the BACP
Level 4 Diploma in Integrative Counselling (Interpsyche Institute)
Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills (Canterbury College)
Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Concepts (Canterbury College)
PhD in English (University of Kent)
MA in Humanities (Canterbury Christ Church University)
PGCE in Post-compulsory Education and Training (Canterbury Christ Church
University)
BA (Hons) English and History (Canterbury Christ Church University)
Jan Leavey-Level 4
Diploma of Counselling M.BACP
I qualified as an Integrative Counsellor in 2008 from the University of Kent Canterbury.
The foundation of the course was Psychodynamic and Humanistic which means my approach is centered around around the individual needs of the client.I have gained much experience in my 12 years in a wide variety of settings.
These are as follows:
Provision of counselling for bereaved via the organisation Cruise Bereavement Care. Counselling of young adults and adults within the New Romney Counselling Services Outreach Counselling Services working as part of a small cohesive team to deliver a mobile service for those unable to access the centre.
Provision of counselling via advanced technology, e.g zoom, since the pandemic
Extensive creative experience gained working as a Reminiscence therapist in a residential care setting.
Philip Drew Tutor –
First Steps in Counselling (equivalent Level 2)
Diploma Integrative Counselling (equivalent Level 4)
Philip is an experienced lecturer/teacher who has worked in education for over 20 years, mostly with pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN). This has included students with autism, aspergers, ASD and ADHD. Philip worked for many years with pupils with speech and language difficulties, working with pupils from the age of 10 years old to young adults. Philip is a qualified counsellor with a particular interest in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Philip started his career with GEC Avionics (now British Aerospace) as a Software Engineer and Systems Analyst. He then decided to enter the educational system working at private, grammar and predominantly SEN schools throughout Surrey and Kent, having gained a wide experience in dealing with pupils from diverse backgrounds and personal needs. Philip enjoys playing the piano, reading, keep fit and sailing in his spare time.
Qualifications:
Registered Member of the NCS.
Level 4 Diploma in Integrative Counselling (Thoros Centre for Learning).
Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills (Thoros Centre for Learning). Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Concepts (Thoros Centre for Learning).
BSc (Hons) Mathematics and Education (Loughborough University).
Qualified Teacher Status (Loughborough University).
Emma Bilham -Level 4
I am a qualified counsellor currently working in private practice, Highworth Grammar School, New Romney Counselling Services and recently joined the team at Thoros to assist the level 4 students. I gained my experience working for Young Healthy Minds, Youth Work for KCC and at NRCS. I have worked with a varied age range from 3 years – 82 years old and has more than 2000 client hours at present.
I started my training through Adult Education completing my level 2 and 3 in Counselling and Psychotherapy, I continued my training at Bedonwell Training Centre qualifying as an Integrative Counsellor in 2017. I am currently training as a Counselling Supervisor at Thoros which I will complete in early 2021.
In my free time I enjoy eating out and spending time with my family, watching films and kickboxing.
Level 4 LSA Learning Support Assistant
Level 2 Cert Counselling and Psychotherapy
Level 3 Cert Counselling and Psychotherapy
Level 4 Diploma Integrative Counselling
Level 6 (equivalent) Diploma in Professional Supervision