Farhana Gibson
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
I am an integrative counsellor based in Banstead, Surrey, and am a member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) which means I adhere to their Ethical Framework (2018).
As an integrative counsellor, I draw from Psychodynamic, Humanistic, and CBT models, to provide therapy that is tailored to individual client needs. My philosophy is based on the notion that the therapeutic working alliance is key when it comes to having a safe, kind, empathic, non-judgemental environment in which difficult issues can be explored with trust.
Life can throw up challenges at any given time, and whether it is issues you would like to work through that are happening in the here and now, or are seeking counselling for past traumas, I believe that working alongside my clients with whatever you choose to bring, can lead to lifelong positive change. Having worked with many issues such as grief/loss, abuse, addiction, relationship difficulties, loss of confidence, depression, and anxiety, the relationship between myself and the client is what has provided the therapeutic foundation to work through very painful processes.
For many clients, a lack of trust can be a very difficult part of day-to-day life for several reasons, therefore I am committed to ensuring the counselling space is one where trust can be built over time, and then become replicated in the client’s life. The past does not have to define the whole future, nor do you have to live with continuous day-to-day struggles, stress or anxiety. Therapy truly can provide the tools to give clients insight, clarity, and newfound levels of self-awareness.
Whatever your journey may be, I am here to support you work through the difficulties that may be holding you back. As a counsellor, I pride myself on warmth, empathy, kindness and professionalism.
Training, qualifications & experience
Alongside counselling, I have spent my career teaching and supporting teenagers and young adults in education, and have vast experience working with moderate to severe learning/emotional /well-being difficulties.
In recent years my passion has also been working in mental health, and I have been a practitioner for a charity that supports adults experiencing mental health crisis, who may also require ongoing support plans.
I have a CPCAB diploma in therapeutic counselling, and have worked with a number of different issues ranging from relational difficulties, self-esteem issues, low mood, anxiety and depression, to more severe trauma, stress, abuse, addiction, grief and loss.
My experience also comes from counselling adult clients from different cultural and religious backgrounds, which has given me huge insight in to identity struggles, as well as complex and intricate family issues that can arise. I also have significant experience counselling within an organisation that supports clients who have acquired traumatic brain injuries, as well as their family members. This has meant I have not only gained significant experience working within areas of emotional dysregulation, cognitive change and a loss of identity, but have also come alongside clients entering in to the journey that is required in order to gain a new sense of self after a life changing period of grief.
As a counsellor I am highly committed to continuous training within different areas of mental health issues, and have gained further qualifications working in areas associated with suicide, self harm, identity issues, eating disorders, depression and anxiety. This enables my clients to trust in the fact I am up to date with current legislation, research, and strategies when working with presenting issues. I believe I have a very broad understanding of mental and emotional challenges that can occur in a person’s life at any time, as well as a deeply empathic understanding of working with clients who may be neurodivergent, and/or have experienced high levels of trauma, anxiety, depression and PTSD.
Qualifications:
- CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
- Full Enhanced DBS
- BACP Registered Membership
Member organisations
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred).
Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision.
Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training.
All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£60.00 per session
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I do offer concessionary rates to students, NHS workers, clients receiving pensions, and those on low income. All must be verified before sessions start.
When I work
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Further information
I offer 50 minute sessions either weekly or fortnightly, depending on what is agreed during contracting. I am happy to work with clients age 16+ from any cultural background, and am inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community.
