Donna Gold

Hello 

Thank you so much for arriving on my profile page :-)

About me

My name is Donna and I am a licensed Counsellor running my own Private Practice called Through the Trees Counselling. I absolutely love my role as a counsellor. Why? Because I love supporting people to be the best versions of themselves and I hope that I can help you too. I have always felt very privileged to work in this field by being able to help so many clients grow and move forward in their lives where they may have thought it was not even possible.

I work with adults and teenagers encountering concerns such as anxiety, depression, abuse, intrusive/negative thoughts, anger, overwhelming feelings, family and relationship problems, bullying, peer pressure, self-esteem, self-harm, substance use - drugs & alcohol, work related issues, guilt, men's issues, stress, confidence, bereavement and past & present trauma.  

Clients usually start seeing general improvements  after 3 - 6 sessions. Consistency is key at the beginning of therapy. We will be able to discuss this in more detail during your initial call.

I am under no illusion at all that it takes a great deal of courage and guts to ask for help at times in our lives and this is why you are probably here.  I know first-hand what it feels like, as I myself at one point in my life, had to also reach out.  I remember feeling so nervous just to pick up the phone, not knowing where to start or what to say, but looking back now and being a counsellor myself, I realise it was one of the best decisions I had ever made and that's why I am such a huge advocate for therapy.  

Sometimes you just need someone, not family, not friends to listen and walk alongside you so they can feel what it is like to be in your shoes. Each one of us is going through a different journey in life. It's not always easy reaching out to someone you know or even love, even our closest are sometimes unable to help us, not because they don't care, it's just because they do not know how. 

This is where I can help.

My counselling style

Working as an Integrative Counsellor means I can draw on different types of therapy to tailor the counselling approach specifically to your individual needs. This approach is more flexible and inclusive than more traditional, singular forms of treatment. Taking into consideration your unique needs, experiences and goals will enhance your treatment experience.

I offer short and long-term therapy depending on your specific requirements. We will review this together as we go along ensuring that you are getting from the therapy what you need. My aim always is that my clients are always at the centre of their own therapy.

Clients have said to me 'Donna I do feel better in myself but I’m not sure why' or 'I feel so much stronger in myself and feel I am more self-aware'. My response is always the same thing, 'Counselling is an amazing process and you just have to trust it'.

Each one of us are unique in our own way. Another person may be going through the same thing as you and yet that person may see things completely differently to you. Sometimes you just need someone to see the world as you see it and look through your lens.

I am here to listen to you and see your world as you see it. 

Thank you so much for your time in reading my profile. :-)

Get in touch to arrange your free telephone consultation (20 mins).

Sessions are £50 via Zoom, or by telephone

Sessions are £65 for face to face session

Discounted fees for university students, counselling students in training and for people receiving benefits as below :

£55 for face to face appointments at Cherry Tree 

£45 for face to face appointments at Barkingside

£40 for online zoom or telephone

Payments are requested to be made 48hrs before your scheduled appointments.

Cancellation Policy

I totally understand that cancellations cannot be avoided at times. However, I would appreciate if I could be notified either by email or via text at least 24hrs before your scheduled session if you are unable to make your appointment.  If notified of cancellation within the 24hrs a full refund will be given or transferred to your next session. 

If, unfortunately, I do not receive notification of cancellation within due time, the full amount will not be able to be refunded due to another person being able to fill that space.

I understand though every situation is different and I am aware emergencies come up which cannot be avoided, so always willing to discuss. I am also human :-).

Thankyou for your understanding. 

Donna :-)

A little bit more about my background

Apart from running my own practice, I also work for a Mental Health Charity as a Recovery Worker/Service User Lead.  I support people who are struggling with their mental health to live as independent life as is possible for them. My role is all about social inclusion. I am experienced working with clients who have been diagnosed with mild to acute mental health. 

I have been lucky enough to have had a vast range of experience in many different fields of work throughout life, but hand on heart, nothing gave me more satisfaction than when I started working as a volunteer a few hours a week for a small local mental health charity. 

I had always known that I wanted to help people in some way, it was in my nature, so I decided I wanted to try and give something back to the community and began working in whatever spare time I had available as a voluntary befriender supporting people who were suffering with their mental health. I visited people who were struggling mentally or who had either just become very isolated. I would chat with them and have a coffee. Sometimes this was all that was needed.

The voluntary role was so rewarding to me personally it literally changed my life! The  Manager asked me if I would be interested at all in a permanent role in mental health as she saw that the role came naturally to me and she felt with the appropriate training I would be very suitable. I felt the same, so I decided at that point, that this is my path in life. I resigned from my permanent job as an administrator receptionist and started working within a local mental health charity called Imagine Mental Health. It was the best decision I ever made in my life and I have never looked back. I am still at Imagine 11 years later. I run my practice alongside imagine.

On reflection, the voluntary role definately planted the seed for me to study to become a counsellor. It was four years of hard study and personal development, which was not an easy journey by no means, but so totally worth it!

I feel so privileged to work in both these lines of work and to be able to help so many wonderful people.  

Thankyou so much for taking the time to read my story.

Donna :-)