Esra Gurkan


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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
I have been involved in the therapy world for more than 20 years. I have wide clinical experience in different settings with different client groups. Working with both young people and adults, refugees and businesses, NHS settings and private practice have given me a good understanding of how to reach people.
Over the years I developed an interest in,
- generalized anxiety and stress
- depression and post natal depression
- relationship problems
- cross cultural issues
- issues around identity
In my work, I aim to help make sense of what really troubles you, using an approach based on existential and integrative therapy ideas. My way of working focuses on helping you identify your patterns and assumptions in order to recognize your strengths and talents. When appropriate, I use creative approaches such as imagery and metaphors to make sense of difficult issues in a safe way.
I have a particular interest in family dynamics and have a Postgraduate Certificate in Systemic Therapy. Even when working with individuals, keeping in mind other family members helps people improve their communication with those close to them.
I am also a qualified supervisor with extensive experience with a variety of professionals, teachers, nurses as well as psychotherapists and counsellors.
Testimonials:
"A little over a year ago I found myself in a bad place, with regular bouts of severe depression, and not knowing, with any clarity, the reason for them. I knew I needed to find help.
I was highly recommended to go to Esra, and I booked a trial session with her. I liked what I found, and continued with weekly sessions for 5 months.
She didn’t ‘cure’ me; she didn’t tell me what my problems were. What she did was vastly better and more valuable than that. She helped me to discover for myself the darker regions in my head. She enabled me to realise the reasons for my lack of self-esteem, which I had previously lived with for many years.
As a result of this amazing enabling process, I have discovered a new, more confident and more creative me.
It is with great pleasure that I would like to commend Esra’s skills to anyone who feels they could benefit from psychotherapy." AP 2015
"After struggling to cope with certain aspects of my life I made the decision, with some trepidation, to find a counsellor to help me make sense of my feelings and hopefully reduce the overwhelming anxiety I often suffered from.
Although I often found it difficult to talk about how I was feeling, Esra very quickly helped me to think about my reactions to certain situations, the reasons behind them and to consider alternatives. I visited Esra for the best part of a year, varying the frequency depending on my needs, and by the end of that time I felt that I had the tools to be able to recognize developing situations and to make my own choice in how I dealt with them. I found the process very empowering and I know that if I find myself faced with further problems in future I can call on Esra to help me resolve them." AM 2016
I tailor my work according to your needs and offer both long term and time-limited psychotherapy depending on your need.
I am a BUPA recognised provider and I also work with several Employee Assistance Programmes including AXA.
The initial appointment offers us a chance to see if we can work together.
Please contact me to arrange an appointment.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a psychotherapist and counsellor accredited by the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) and I follow their code of ethics.
I have a degree in psychology, a Master’s degree in Dramatherapy and a Master’s degree in Existential Psychotherapy and Counselling.
I have completed courses on my interest areas such as couple therapy, group work, bereavement, family therapy and a year long trauma course run by the European Society for Trauma and Dissociation.
I have wide clinical experience, having worked in different settings including a young people’s counselling service in Cambridge, Psychological treatment services at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, a GP surgery in St Ives, and Cambridge Rape Crisis.
I am also a qualified supervisor having completed a diploma in Supervision at Cambridge Supervision Training.
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.

The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.
As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.
UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
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
Cross cultural issues
Therapies offered
Fees
£80.00 per session
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
Each session of individual counselling lasts 50 minutes.
The initial counselling session for couples lasts for 90 minutes. Subsequent sessions may last either 50 or 90 minutes depending on preference.
My fees for individual therapy are £80 per 50 minute session. For couples’ therapy I charge £120 per 50 minute session and £160 for a 90 minute session.
When I work
I have some early morning and daytime availability. Please contact me for details.
Further information
My practice in based in Waterbeach, where I work from a secluded, comfortable garden studio with ample parking.
Waterbeach is located 5 miles north of Cambridge, close to Cambridge Science Park and has fast regular train services to both Ely and Cambridge. There is also a regular bus service.