Andrea Gavin

A warm welcome to my profile,

My name is Andrea and I am an online counsellor and psychotherapist (fully trained, registered and accredited both in-person and online).  At the moment I currently work with NHS patients,  university students and private clients and this is mostly online (webcam, telephone or chat).    I appreciate it can be really hard to get a sense of a therapist through a written profile so I am happy to offer time to speak by phone or webcam before any commitment so you can ask questions and get a sense of how I might work.   I can also make suggestions if you or I feel there may be a different type of therapy or therapist that might suit your needs better.  Do get in touch if you feel this could be useful. 

Training:

After completing training in psychology I completed professional training as a psychotherapist in 2008.    This means I can work at depth where needed as well as brief work if preferred.   In 2017, I qualified as an online counsellor which rubber stamps my ability to work with webcam, telephone and instant message - the choice would be yours.    My therapy approach (Integrative) is to hold in mind all aspects of a person - sometimes it might be how a person thinks that is causing unhappiness or dissatisfaction in their life.  Other times we can feel overwhelmed or numb from our emotional or feeling self and need support to notice, name and connect with difficult or powerful emotions.     Similarly, how we act or behave may be causing us some distress and at times the focus of our work might be on the quality, lack of or loss of significant relationships in our lives.   I find that, some people want to focus on present issues or future concerns whereas for others the impact of the past on the quality of their lives in the here-and-now might be the priority. For me, ongoing training is vital to being a therapist.   I learn/refresh my knowledge continuously through courses,  professional training, supervision and of course through my work with clients.  

Examples of some areas of my work and experience to date...

In addition to my private work, I have worked in:

• the NHS within adult mental health services and NHS wellbeing and talking therapy services (i.e. IAPT). 
• Prison services (Rehabilitation & Recovery) 
• Wellbeing Clinics
• Colleges / Universities
• Employment Services /EAP services 

I am passionate about ...
-   emotional and psychological wellbeing (emotional range, self-esteem etc)
-   personal development (Growth, changes, achievement)
-   improving mood (sadness, feeling stuck, low motivation or drive to include clinical depression)
-    restoring sense of balance (stress, anxiety, worry and panic)
-   Processing change  (grief/bereavement, life transitions - loss of a job or loved one)
-   Enhancing the self (self-identity: family role/status, cultural identity; self-esteem and self-worth)
-   Emotional-regulation:  difficulties in managing/experiencing emotions 
-   Supporting through change or conflict  (relationships: divorce,  domestic violence, childbirth)
-   Choice/control and power (Uncertainty/loss of direction)
-   Experiences of culture

I am unable to provide crisis services and recommend that anyone needing immediate support contact the Samaritans, Befrienders International GP or local A&E