About Gestalt Counselling/ Psychotherapy
A fundamental principle of Gestalt Therapy is that whatever is happening in the moment is given centre stage. Whatever thoughts, feelings and actions are 'here and now' - what is happening from one moment to the next - in the immediate way in which the client and the therapist are relating, is considered important. This focuses us towards appreciating life, as it is and may even be (as Erving Polster called it) a "stepping stone to enchantment".
Roughly translated from German, Gestalt means 'whole' and was developed in the 1940's by Fritz Perls. The main goal of this approach is for you to become more self-aware, taking into account your mind, body and soul and using this raised awareness to relate to yourself, others and your environment in a healthier manner. This amounts to more or less the same thing as raising Kundalini energy through the 8 chakras in order to reach an enlightened state!
To enable this process I will aim to promote your awareness of yourself and to do this we may use experiments that are created by the therapist and client. These experiments can be anything from creating patterns with objects or writing to role-playing or trying out new postures and breathing techniques. Promoting self-awareness to enhance your relationships (especially your relationship with yourself) is the main objective of gestalt therapy but other areas such as improving the ability to support ones emotional feelings are also important.
I am committed to inclusion and social justice. Clients from diverse groups such as, but not limited to, faith, race, gender, sex and relationship diversity are welcome. I oppose conversion therapy. I do not use labels or diagnoses unless you use them for yourself.
Gestalt therapy works with clearing fixed patterns of behaviour, often learned in childhood, that are no longer serving you well in the "Now". These fixed patterns (fixed "gestalts") can lead to experience much pain and suffering in your life. The therapy I offer is trauma-informed Issues we may work with include (but are not limited to):
Located in East Yorkshire (near Pocklington) or via phone/ Skype/Zoom/Teams/WhatsApp.
· Alleviating Depression
· Working Out Relationship Issues
· Easing Work Related Stress
· Life Coaching
· Healing Addiction
· Helping you Live out your Dreams and Deepest Wishes
· Emotional, Mental and Spiritual Growth
· Understanding Yourself Better
· Sleeping Better/ Easing Panic Attacks
· Sorting Out Confusion and Concentrating Better
Roughly translated from German, Gestalt means 'whole' and was developed in the 1940's by Fritz Perls. The main goal of this approach is for you to become more self-aware, taking into account your mind, body and soul and using this raised awareness to relate to yourself, others and your environment in a healthier manner. This amounts to more or less the same thing as raising Kundalini energy through the 8 chakras in order to reach an enlightened state!
To enable this process I will aim to promote your awareness of yourself and to do this we may use experiments that are created by the therapist and client. These experiments can be anything from creating patterns with objects or writing to role-playing or trying out new postures and breathing techniques. Promoting self-awareness to enhance your relationships (especially your relationship with yourself) is the main objective of gestalt therapy but other areas such as improving the ability to support ones emotional feelings are also important.
I am committed to inclusion and social justice. Clients from diverse groups such as, but not limited to, faith, race, gender, sex and relationship diversity are welcome. I oppose conversion therapy. I do not use labels or diagnoses unless you use them for yourself.
Gestalt therapy works with clearing fixed patterns of behaviour, often learned in childhood, that are no longer serving you well in the "Now". These fixed patterns (fixed "gestalts") can lead to experience much pain and suffering in your life. The therapy I offer is trauma-informed Issues we may work with include (but are not limited to):
Located in East Yorkshire (near Pocklington) or via phone/ Skype/Zoom/Teams/WhatsApp.
· Alleviating Depression
· Working Out Relationship Issues
· Easing Work Related Stress
· Life Coaching
· Healing Addiction
· Helping you Live out your Dreams and Deepest Wishes
· Emotional, Mental and Spiritual Growth
· Understanding Yourself Better
· Sleeping Better/ Easing Panic Attacks
· Sorting Out Confusion and Concentrating Better
Individual CounsellingIndividual counselling is usually one hour per week - though this can be negotiated. Payment is taken at the beginning of each session unless other arrangements are made.
The investment is usually £72 for 60 mins but I also offer a sliding scale for anyone who's feeling very affluent and would like to support others to come for less or for when £72 is unaffordable right now. So you could pay any amount where the numbers add up to 9 (a Kundalini Yoga number for prosperity) from £54, £63, £81, etc. If you are interested in therapy (particularly long-term therapy) then I am always happy to discuss how we can work something out that is affordable for you. Though perhaps the most helpful thing someone asked me was "Can you afford not to??" I offer a FREE 20 min. session so that we have an opportunity to assess whether a therapeutic relationship between us may be healing and appropriate. You may wish to consider any length of duration of therapy from a one off session just to pick you up and put you back on track through 6-8 sessions to look at a particular element or two that is bugging you just now or even long term therapy which may be several years during which we hopefully get to build a supportive, healing relationship from which deeply fixed patterns, traumas and beliefs can be challenged and transformed. |
Couples Counselling
Marriage Guidance, Marriage Counselling or Couples Counselling can be quite different from individual counselling in that it is your relationship that is my client rather than either of you individually. This allows both of you to get equal space to discuss your side of the story in a non-judgemental space without interruptions or rows.
Our closest relationship (or relationships for those in Polyamorous relationships - who are also welcome in my therapy room): a marriage; co-habitation or civil partnership, is based on intimacy and trust. We are affected deeply when this falls apart. Our sense of identity and self-worth often rests on the strength of our relationships and we can despair when our prime relationship fails. Pressures of work, family, money and health can grind us down leaving us drained and disappointed. Patterns of behaving that we learned as children often re-emerge in our adult relationship. A childhood 'scapegoat' may start to feel blamed for everything by the partner(s) who once adored them. If your partner(s) does not wish to come to couple's counselling you may like to consider individual counselling for yourself. Their "empty" chair might be represented by a cushion or similar so that you can still express your feelings. |
GroupsI currently run ongoing groups exploring a combination of personal development through psychotherapy with meditation and Kundalini Yoga exercises. This helps to utilise the healing power of relationship alongside rebuilding and strengthening the nervous system and glandular system and internal organs of the body (often damaged by long term stress). Many of the participants in these groups have a regular practice of Kundalini Yoga (not essential) and use the group to discuss and get support with the delights and difficulties inherent on the path of becoming more self-aware.
(see The Welcoming the I-Thou Workshops page above). If you have a business or other group that could benefit from addressing current conflict situations in a manner that maintains the dignity of all involved then please invite me vis the contact form on this site, to facilitate a discussion group for you. I aim to make these days ones that you will remember for the rest of your lives and will, therefore, take delight in - they may look at the greatest challenges you face personally and as a group but they can also be full of joy as stuck patterns are released and compassion comes in. I also facilitate groups focussing on Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond. Supporting the transition to becoming a parent, discussing the practicalities around birth and early days with your baby and how to support each other as a couple who have a new addition to your family. Click on link for Birth and Postnatal Support to read more on how I may be able to support you. I have facilitated classes and worked as a breastfeeding counsellor for the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) for over 15 years before becoming a Gestalt therapist. I also run groups supporting breastfeeding mothers and attachment parenting. |
Supervision
I am a qualified HIPC/UKCP supervisor. I offer supervision to individual therapists and groups. Please contact me if you are interested.
I am a qualified HIPC/UKCP supervisor. I offer supervision to individual therapists and groups. Please contact me if you are interested.
Qualifications/ Accreditation
I hold a Diploma in Gestalt Psychotherapy (with Merit) accredited by The United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) and a certificate in Couples Counselling from Leeds Psychotherapy Institute.
For many years I have also worked for the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) as a Breastfeeding Counsellor from 2005-2018. As such I am qualified to counsel and facilitate individuals and groups on attachment issues. transitioning into parenthood, parenting with love, respect and freedom and without harsh discipline or excessive routines.
I have regular supervision with a UKCP registered supervisor in order to support our work together and I regularly attend other training as part of my own personal and professional development.
For many years I have also worked for the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) as a Breastfeeding Counsellor from 2005-2018. As such I am qualified to counsel and facilitate individuals and groups on attachment issues. transitioning into parenthood, parenting with love, respect and freedom and without harsh discipline or excessive routines.
I have regular supervision with a UKCP registered supervisor in order to support our work together and I regularly attend other training as part of my own personal and professional development.
Geographical Areas Covered
I currently work from home (near Pocklington, East Yorkshire). For those who are interested I offer "Walk and Talk" Eco sessions where we can meet in nature which can offer a different kind of healing space. For lectures and facilitation of groups I am happy to travel. I am also available for telephone and online sessions.