About me
As a Hastings-based integrative psychotherapist, I offer one to one and couples counselling on both a short- and long-term basis. By ‘integrative’ I mean that I draw upon a mix of the best known modalities depending on the needs of the client.
I have experience dealing with depression, anxiety, marital, family, relationship, illness, cultural and work problems, sexual issues, loneliness, and those seeking greater satisfaction and fulfilment from their lives.
I am most influenced by Person-centred counselling, Existentialism, and also the work of Carl Jung, Attachment and Psychodynamic theory, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Transactional Analysis, and issues related to living in unfamiliar cultures.
The most significant common thread through all of the above modalities is the relationship between client and therapist, which I believe is instrumental in the client experiencing positive growth during therapy.
Training, qualifications & experience
In 2023, I successfully completed NHS training in Person-Centred Experiential (PCE) counselling for Depression with Metanoia, while in 2021, I gained a PG-Diploma in Supervision with the Minster Centre.
Prior to this, I gained my Post-Graduate Diploma (2012), Masters (2016), and Advanced Diploma (2014) in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy at Regents' University in London. In 2011, I took a Certificate in Person-Centred Counselling and Psychotherapy at the Mary Ward Centre in London.
I have also studied with the Tavistock centre for working with couples (where one partner is suffering from depression).
Between 2014-2023, I was working with NHS clients three days a week in West London as well as working privately. I'm now based in Hastings.
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
During my time living overseas, and in my NHS work I have gained a lot of experience on the subject of cultural difference and integration particularly for those living abroad. My Masters thesis was entitled Voyages into the Unknown.
To read article go to: www.garethmason.com/journalism-articles/2018/2/21/voyages-into-the-unknown
Therapies offered
Fees
£70.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
I charge £70 per 50 minute session for day-time work on Zoom, phone, or in person at my home in Hastings.
For my former NHS clients, OAPs, benefit claimants, full-time students, trainee counsellors, and key workers, I offer a concessionary rate of £40 for Zoom or phone sessions with proof of status. I also offer a first session fee of £40. Otherwise, I'm not willing to haggle on rates!
When I work
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early morning | |||||||
| Morning | |||||||
| Early afternoon | |||||||
| Late afternoon | |||||||
| Evening |
Further information
Before training to be a psychotherapist, I worked as a print and broadcast journalist for over 20 years. I have lived and worked overseas extensively and am particularly familiar with Eastern, European and Latin American cultures and have a good understanding of Spanish and French.
