About me
Counselling and Psychotherapy in Hertford, Hertfordshire
Hello, I'm Gary, a BACP-registered counsellor offering professional counselling and psychotherapy in Hertford, across Hertfordshire, and online throughout the UK.
You may be feeling overwhelmed, stuck in patterns you want to change, or struggling with addiction, anxiety, trauma or difficult life experiences. Reaching out for support can feel daunting, but it can also be the first step towards meaningful and lasting change.
I offer a confidential, supportive and non-judgemental space where you can talk openly about the challenges you are facing and begin to understand what may be happening beneath the surface.
My areas of focus
I work with adults experiencing:
• Addiction and recovery
• Trauma and past experiences
• Anxiety and emotional distress
• Stress and burnout
• Low self-esteem
• Relationship difficulties
• Life transitions and personal growth
I have over fifteen years' experience working within addiction and mental health services and have particular experience supporting people affected by alcohol use, substance misuse and the emotional difficulties that often sit alongside addiction, including anxiety, shame, trauma and relationship challenges.
Whether you are looking to make changes to your relationship with alcohol or drugs, process difficult experiences, or improve your overall wellbeing, counselling can provide a safe space to explore these issues and move towards positive change.
My approach to counselling
My approach is integrative, meaning I draw from a range of therapeutic approaches depending on your individual needs. These may include elements of:
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Person-centred therapy
• Trauma-informed therapy
• Mindfulness-based approaches
Rather than using a fixed method, I tailor therapy to you as an individual so that our work together feels relevant, collaborative and supportive.
What therapy with me is like
Many clients tell me they value having a calm and understanding space where they can speak openly without fear of judgement.
Together we can:
• understand patterns in your thoughts and behaviour
• process difficult experiences and emotions
• develop healthier coping strategies
• improve self-awareness and confidence
• regain a sense of clarity and direction
Taking the first step
Starting therapy can feel daunting, but you do not have to face things alone.
I offer a free 15-minute introductory call where we can briefly discuss what you are looking for, answer any questions you may have, and see whether working together feels like the right fit.
Sessions are available in Hertford and for clients in nearby areas including Ware, Hoddesdon, Broxbourne and across Hertfordshire, as well as online counselling throughout the UK.
Many people find that counselling helps them:
• feel less overwhelmed by their thoughts and emotions
• develop healthier ways of coping with stress
• improve relationships and communication
• build confidence and self-understanding
• move forward from past experiences
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a BACP-registered counsellor with over 10 years' experience in counselling and psychotherapy, alongside more than 15 years working within addiction treatment and rehabilitation services.
My professional background includes supporting individuals affected by addiction, trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression and relationship difficulties across a range of settings. I have worked on NHS pilot programmes supporting trauma survivors and continue to develop my expertise through advanced trauma-focused training.
Alongside private practice, I teach counselling at West Herts College, helping to train and develop future counselling professionals. I hold professional qualifications in Therapeutic Counselling and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and I am committed to ongoing professional development to ensure my practice remains informed by current research and best practice.
Areas of expertise
Addiction • PTSD & Trauma • Anxiety • Relationship Problems • Depression • Stress • Low Confidence • Bereavement
Who I work best with
I often work with adults who:
• are struggling with addiction or recovery
• feel overwhelmed by anxiety, stress or emotional distress
• are living with the effects of trauma or PTSD
• are experiencing burnout or emotional exhaustion
• want to better understand themselves and improve their relationships
• feel stuck in patterns they would like to change
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.
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
Addiction
Trauma
Anxiety
Stress
Burnout
Low self-esteem
Relationship issues
Codependency
Shame
Men's issues
Emotional abuse
Life transitions
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£70.00 - £90.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I offer an initial telephone or video consultation, where we will be able to discuss working with each other. Following on from this, if you decide to work with me the first session will be an assessment session, allowing me to find out more about your background, or to discuss the issues that you're having presently in more details.
Upon first contact with me, it would be helpful if you could detail the areas that you would like to explore in your sessions.
£70: Individual Counselling 50 minute session
£70: Telephone Counselling 50 minute session
£70 Online Counselling 50 minute session
£70-90 Couples Therapy 1hr or 1.20mins session
I reserve some of my spaces for low cost counselling. I operate a sliding scale depending on means. Details of this can be discussed at the initial assessment phase. I also have further low-cost counselling available for trainee counsellors, costing £40 (further concessions are also available)
I accept cash or bank transfer. Provided 48 hours notice is given we will aim to reschedule your session. If notice is not given the session will still be deemed payable in full.
When I work
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Further information
If you're struggling with addiction, anxiety, trauma or the impact of difficult life experiences, you don't have to face it alone.
With over 15 years' experience working within addiction treatment and rehabilitation services, and more than a decade as a practising counsellor, I understand how overwhelming life can feel when old patterns, emotional distress or past experiences begin to affect your wellbeing.
I offer a calm, supportive and non-judgemental space where you can talk openly at your own pace. Whether you are looking to better understand yourself, process difficult experiences, improve your relationships or make changes to addictive behaviours, counselling can help you gain clarity and develop healthier ways of coping.
Many of the people I work with arrive feeling stuck, exhausted or unsure where to turn next. Together, we can explore what is driving those difficulties, helping you build greater self-awareness, resilience and confidence to move forward.
