Dr G Stuart Wilson
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Welcome, my name is Stuart.
When I am asked what is distinctive about the way I work with women and men, three principles emerge. The most important is I “see” the person, not their problem, and not their symptoms (such as anxiety, depression, stress, feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness or loneliness). I know that behind a battle with any problem, difficulty or loss, is another human being, a unique individual, a fellow traveller.
I am always careful never to confuse the person with the situation they find themselves in. We all have problems, but it is how we face them that matters, not how the world judges us. People have always been important to me, and I accept them for who they are. I like to think I can talk with anyone. It is what makes us tick that matters, what makes us sing and what makes us cry; our drives, interests and purposes.
Addressing a mental health issue is as much about learning (my Doctorate is in Education Leadership) as it is about healing, it is about getting to know previously unseen parts of ourselves, and learning how to improve communication between our different parts. I help people to help themselves. As the old adage goes:
"Give someone a fish, and you feed them for a day; teach someone to fish, and they feed themselves for life."
It is a real privilege to work with people facing difficult times, to offer myself as guide to those brave unsung heroes or heroines. I can’t help notice that when people address their darkest thoughts and negative feelings, it is as though a light is switched on inside them. They became much happier and live more fulfilled lives. Mental health and well-being is not just about getting rid of bad things, it is also about opening ourselves up to wondrous things.
I can help clients move from healing to development, and my role transforms from counsellor to coach.
Training, qualifications & experience
Counselling therapy can often lead to intimate personal learning.
As a teacher, I obtained a number of higher University Degrees, including a Doctorate in Education Leadership. As a registered counsellor and psychotherapist, I trained at the highly regarded Institute of Psychosynthesis (organisational member of the UK Council for Psychotherapy) in London. I am a registered member of BACP (British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy) and APP (Association of Psycho-spiritual Practitioners) confirming my role as a personal guide. I keep myself up-to-date professionally and am regularly involved in local charity work relating to mental health and wellbeing.
What happens in therapy?
Counselling therapy sessions take place in a purpose built therapy room situated in a private setting on the edge of a housing estate. During our initial meeting, we will discuss two things. First, what you see as the main issues or problems you are currently facing, and second, a bit about yourself.
Many people new to counselling are a little nervous, which is why I adopt an approach which keeps you firmly in control. When we face a life crisis of whatever type, it is crucial that we do not let it take over the whole of our lives, or even dictate when and how we address it. Only when you feel ready to disclose details about your concerns or feelings, only when you feel safe enough, do we look more deeply into what is troubling you.
You will decide what you share about yourself, and the level of detail you share. Usually, it starts with simple facts about yourself. What did your family (or families) you grew up in look like? Who is in your current family and circle of friends? What do you do in any work or leisure time?
Looking into your history can help us determine how your past experiences are affecting your present and future life. Working together, we discover what patterns or habits have developed that are affecting how you think, feel and behave today. Some of these you will easily recognise, but some will be new to you. It is working with these hidden influences that will enable you to take more control of your life.
The therapy I offer is very practical, down to earth and natural. However, it is completely in line with the very latest discoveries in psychology and neuroscience. As well as the core work of carefully structured discussions, many clients choose to benefit from additional techniques including guided visualisations, dream work, and simple body, energy and breathing exercises.
In short, we use all of ourselves to support the healing process, not just our conscious intellect. Sometimes the healing is as fundamental as getting to know ourselves better, personally, socially, sexually and spiritually.
Member organisations
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred).
Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision.
Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training.
All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
- Not feeling yourself
- Not knowing who you are
- Searching for meaning in the occult
- Psycho-spiritual issues
- Religious issues
Therapies offered
Fees
£50.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
My professional charges are kept down to £50 an hour, reflecting my commitment to “affordability” for the highest quality therapy enabled by my long training. Potential clients are welcome to contact me by 'phone, text or email for a free initial discussion.
If your finances are such that the above amount is likely to prove difficult, on request it may be possible to receive up to six sessions at the reduced rate of £30 per session. I maintain two dedicated places specifically to support committed clients.
When I work
Weekdays and some evening.
Further information
Analytical or Psycho-spiritual?
Most people who seek counselling therapy or psychotherapy have one simple aim – they want to feel better. They prefer to leave the technical details to the professionals. Potential clients tend to be more interested in finding a therapist that they are happy to work with. My guiding principle is to see the person behind the symptoms, to match the therapy to their unique needs and aspirations, to ensure nobody does anything they are uncomfortable with.
The counselling therapies I offer give me flexibility to respond to the unique and personal needs of my clients. My work is centred around the deep psychology and talking therapy known as Psychosynthesis. This simply refers to helping the different parts of ourselves, such as our feelings, thoughts and beliefs, relate more effectively to each other. Once we restore the balance and harmony in our inner world, we tend to find more balance and harmony in our outer world.
Sometimes people have an interest in psychological therapies. They, or someone close to them, may have had an experience that nudges them towards a particular approach. It is not uncommon for people to favour a medical or scientifically measurable approach. Alternatively, others are drawn to therapies which directly engage with the healing potential of their creative imagination. For some clients, giving their spiritual, religious or community values more prominence is significant. Experience suggests that elements from a range of schools of thought can be most beneficial. Sometimes what works is what matters.
From a psycho-spiritual perspective, I will mention a couple of situations where counselling therapies can really help. Many of us suffer from a crisis of meaning. This is sometimes known as a “mid-life crisis”, although it can, in fact, happen at any time. When this occurs, nothing seems to matter anymore. We have achieved our goals in life and no longer see the value of anything. In extreme cases, we can’t even see the point of carrying on. Loneliness, isolation, or problems with relationships are often associated issues.
Secondly, we are not sure who we are anymore. This may follow a significant change in our life, such as a job loss or retirement, getting married or having a child, or the death of (or breakup with) someone close to us. All these situations reflect a change in our status, to the world outside but also to ourselves. Whether the focus is on professional or home life, sexual identity or spiritual purpose, you can be assured that I will offer you a practical and non-judgemental service.
Sometimes what starts as a purely health perspective evolves into a more developmental, psychological or psycho-spiritual one. When this happens, clients use the important things they have learned about themselves, such as sensitivities or strengths, to help with future aspects of their life. Perhaps the links between “health”, “wholeness” and “well-being” are an apt summary of this type of work.
