Brian Wagenbach

I understand life can throw stresses and challenges at us, at times leaving us hurt, feeling off balance or just plain stuck. I can help you to work through what feels difficult right now, including coming to terms with change or loss. Together in partnership, we will look at areas that are troubling you, and work through them.
 
My approach to therapy is that healing and change come through self-awareness and how we make sense of the world. An important part of how we learned to make sense of and be in the world is through our relationships, including the relationship we have with our self. 
 
In exploring relationships, we look at what may help you in different situations and how you may have become used to responding in ways that no longer work for you. Sometimes, our ways of dealing with situations can become fixed ways that lead to holding beliefs about ourselves and others that get in the way of being understood or finding what we want in life and ultimately our happiness.
 
Psychotherapy is a process of exploration and finding support through awareness. For many people, therapy helps to develop a greater understanding of themselves, to form new perspectives, and to make new choices. My approach can help open up life prospects in real and sometimes surprising ways. 
 
I’m trained in Gestalt counselling and psychotherapy. As we work together, I will share the things I notice with you, supporting your own awareness about how you feel and relate to the work we do and the people in your life. We will explore these different situations; we will look into what is present for you and what may be missing in order to cope, move on and have a more fulfilling life.
 
I take a holistic approach, which means I work with all parts of your experience; including thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations and generally how life feels for you. I will also support you to become more aware of your own process – how you respond to people and situations with a focus on your immediate thoughts, feelings and behaviour.
 
I aim to build a safe, trusting, mutual relationship where honest and respectful discussion can take place.
 
I’m experienced in working with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship and family issues, anger, frustration, suicidal thoughts, and feeling lonely or isolated. 
 
I am sensitive to experiences of inequality and exclusion and have supported people from diverse backgrounds including black, Asian and LGBT communities. I work with clients both in person and online.
 
I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and adhere to their code of ethics.

I offer a reduced rate initial session. 

In our first session we will explore the issues you would like to focus on in therapy. I will take your details, some background information and let you know what you can expect as we work together. Contact me for an appointment.