Dawn McGregor

Hello, I am pleased to provide a confidential space for you, where you will be respected, listened to and importantly heard. 

I'm a fully qualified integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist and relationship specialist. I am known by my fellow colleagues to be an open-minded, easy to talk to person who aims to build strong and supportive relationships with my clients. My approach is collaborative; I have trained in many psychological theories and viewpoints, which means I work alongside each individual, incorporating the best approaches appropriate to and dependent on your needs.

I believe that the quality of relationships between people determines the quality of our lives, meaning they are of paramount importance in respect of healthy human development and well-being.

I understand that life difficulties, can be isolating and overwhelming. You may feel stuck in life, filled with indecision, regrets, emotionally troubled, anxious, depressed, entangled, and have nowhere to turn; have a feeling of emptiness or numbness, loss of meaning, loss of identity/purpose, lack of motivation and hopeless feelings. Do you struggle to say ‘no’ to others or feel guilt when you have done nothing wrong, have depression or chronic anxiety and restlessness? Maybe you have difficulties with trust or relating to others, either personally or in your working life. Perhaps you are someone who feels not good enough, or has an overwhelming sense of responsibility, low self-esteem and self-worth, or a constant feeling of being overwhelmed by or emptiness. You may not ‘feel’ or be living your entitlement to a better life. Perhaps you have been told that you are ‘too sensitive’ or maybe you feel deeply misunderstood, feel shame and or strongly criticise yourself. Perhaps you have unpredictable mood swings, anger outbursts or are sensitive to criticism and feel rejected or fear being abandoned. Maybe you are repeatedly drawn to the same type of partner/ relationship over and over whilst not having your own needs attended to: Becoming overly responsible for things that happen between you.

Do you experience patterns of impulsive, compulsive and self sabotaging behaviours that are not aligned with who you want to be? have suicidal thoughts, self harm? Feel isolated and alienated by others? Perhaps you are finding it hard to come to terms with a life changing experience, for example bereavement, divorce, infidelity, separation or occupation loss. You may have concerns about your emotional life or feel frustrated, dissatisfied and unfulfilled. Perhaps you are finding it difficult to cope with other losses and suffer from deprivations from your past or with difficult, perhaps abusive, relationships.

My work with you will help to support and help you with challenges such as low self-esteem, family conflicts, loneliness, complex work challenges and times of emotional crisis to help to change your life.

How can Psychotherapy and Counselling help?

Counselling and Psychotherapy focuses on you, to help you gain insight into the difficulties you are facing. It places an importance on your thoughts, feelings and experiences in your life, which can access deeper understanding of yourself and others. This will help you to develop, change or discover appropriate ways of managing to better equip you with facing life's challenges. Our work together is not be just about finding solutions but supporting you to thrive. We may address the past, the pain of life difficulties, relational challenges, and many other unhappy aspects of life. However, we also want to think about you living well and thriving. So it is my endeavour with you to talk about your hopes and dreams, to help you realise your potential, spontaneity, energy and zest for life: creating an improvement in health and well-being.Whilst counselling cannot change the past, it can help you to reclaim it differently to create a better present and future.

I understand that finding the right therapist for ‘you’ is so important; you should feel a sense of trust, rapport and be able to communicate with your therapist. The therapeutic relationship is of the uppermost importance to me. I am happy to talk on the telephone, or if you prefer you can email me or text me, so you can get a sense of me before we meet, to help you find out if you feel comfortable with me, share what troubles you, ask questions and explore how therapy can work for you.

I provide therapy for adults, couples, two persons and young people. I use an integrative and holistic approach based on Humanistic principles and incorporate Psychodynamic, Jungian, Attachment and developmental theories, together with C.B.T skills to allow me to draw upon a range of ideas which respect the individuality and particular needs of each client.

I work with various therapy mediums, face to face, online, telephone and via email.

I have my own private practice (Butterfly Counselling and Psychotherapy) and have previously worked for the National Health Service and for two counselling charity organisations.

Specialist areas:

• Relationship issues
• Affairs and Betrayal
• Unresolved Childhood issues
• Depression
• Addictions
• Separation and Divorce
• Attachment and relational issues
• Childhood Trauma
• PTSD
• Trauma
• Sexual Abuse
• Borderline Personality Disorder/ Pervasive Emotional Intensity Disorder
• Anxiety
• Stress
• Relational / family issues
• Self-esteem
• Sleep issues
• Bereavement
• Self Harm
• Difficulty Expressing or Managing feelings
• Anger and anxiety
• Suicidal thoughts
• Feeling 'stuck' and looking for direction
• Support through a life difficulty

LOCATION

I have two practices, based in Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket. Located in easy reach of Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, Newmarket and surrounding villages.

I have studied interventions that can help clients feel safe when processing traumatic memory, to speed healing and reduce symptoms.

Polyvagal Theory (comprehensive understandings of our autonomic nervous systems influence upon, interpersonal trauma and behaviours and psychological processes). My study teaches practical applications and creative ways to settle distress within a person, to help them transition into the state in which they are most likely to heal.

The body's critical role in treatment of trauma/interpersonal trauma/PTSD. Understanding the role and importance of Neuroscience in psychotherapy.

Couples Therapy,

Domestic Violence

Mindfulness, comprehensive breathing techniques

Anger Management

Jungian Analysis and Dreamwork

Working with shame

I have also trained in various holistic healing modalities such as Mindfulness and the study of nutrition, genetics, physiology and anatomy.

£60-£65.00 per 50 minute individual session.

£75 per 50 minute session for couples, two persons (mother and child, father and child, siblings, friends etc).

I offer face to face counselling but recognise that not everyone is able to physically attend sessions. In respect of this online, telephone and email therapy is available.

I have worked with and supported clients their experience of difficulties with emotional intensity (loss of and overwhelming), emotional sensitivity, managing anger; self-criticism; self-esteem difficulties and confidence issues; depression and anxiety; self-harm; bereavement, grief and loss; loss of emotion and overwhelming emotion; separation and divorce; relationship issues; sexual abuse, trauma; dissociation, PTSD; the effects of bullying; experiences of guilt and shame; suicidal thoughts, intrusive thoughts, existential challenges, major life changes and transitioning through.