Dawn Kingston

Welcome to my profile.   I wonder what it is you are looking for in a therapist?  I can offer a creative experiential space to enable you to explore your thoughts, feelings and emotions.  I am very interested in creative writing, which we can use to support the therapeutic process, if you have an interest in that idea.  

My training and experience. 

My initial training was in Humanistic and Integrative Counselling, which means we covered a range of approaches enabling me to work in a way that meets individual need.   Following my counselling training which I started in 2007, I became accredited and a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) in 2010.  After qualifying I settled into private practice, I love my work and I continue to offer counselling to individuals.  

After attending a Gestalt shame workshop in Chepstow in 2015, I was so inspired by the approach, I went on to complete 6 years training to qualify as a Gestalt Psychotherapist with the Gestalt Centre Wales.  Over this period, I have spent time on training weekends and residentials with eminent therapists within the Gestalt field.  

Over many years, I worked within the voluntary sector and have a diverse range of counselling experience, including working with LBGTQ, people from various cultures and a wide range of age groups. Whilst at The Terrence Higgins Trust, I worked with people diagnosed and living with HIV.  At Bristol University I saw clients via the generic community counselling service.  I have worked with many counsellors, undertaking their training.

Gestalt Approach 

Gestalt places the emphasis on the present and what happens for you in the moment.  That in turn is informed by your past life experiences.  What this approach offers is learning through experiment and paying attention to your embodied experience.  There is no right or wrong, the interest is on how you experience the world in any given moment.  Through experimenting and paying attention to your responses we can find out what holds you back and what nourishes you.  Building greater embodied awareness by noticing what is going on in the moment in your mind and bodies leads to deeper insight and healing. Different choices can be made with greater awareness, which in turn helps to enhance our way of living in the world.  

It is easy to be self-critical, but this approach places the emphasis on developing a sense of curiosity and compassion towards ourselves.  Gestalt places importance on building  self and environmental support, so we can better face the challenges that life throws at us.  There is so much to be learnt from our everyday experiences, in how we relate to others, which has been informed from our family of origin. 

Creative writing

I can offer creative writing ideas for you, if this is an area of interest.  Flow writing and journaling are great ways to explore process or follow themes as they emerge from the therapy.   Often what is needed is a kickstart idea to get you writing.  Everyone is different. You may find structure gets in the way; equally it may be needed to hold the work.  

I recently carried out some research around using creative writing in therapy.  My research was about poetry written by me, as the therapist, for the client and held within the relational enquiry approach.  The curiosity is held around what word or images came and how this can be explored and understood.  What I’m interested in is how the words may be received and what we can glean from what stands out.    

Creative writing

I can offer creative writing ideas for you, if this is an area of interest.  Flow writing and journaling are great ways to explore process or follow themes as they emerge from the therapy.   Often what is needed is a kickstart idea to get you writing.  Everyone is different. You may find structure gets in the way; equally it may be needed to hold the work.  

I recently carried out some research around using creative writing in therapy.  My research was about poetry written by me, as the therapist, for the client and held within the relational enquiry approach.  The curiosity is held around what word or images came and how this can be explored and understood.  What I’m interested in is how the words may be received and what we can glean from what stands out.    

Starting therapy and the fee 

Finding the right therapist is an important thing. It’s hard to judge from a photo and profile.  Please feel free to call or come and meet me.  We can talk about what it is you want to achieve and see if we are a good fit.  Sometimes it’s hard to know what you need from therapy before you start. We can work this out together; what feels right for you. 

My fee is for a 50-minute session. Sliding scale is available for those on low income. I work from Chepstow on a Monday pm and Bristol on Wednesday & Thursday.

Location and availability

Wed & Thurs - Frenchay, BS16.  Parking on drive.

Mon pm –  Chepstow.