Gary Aldridge

About me.

If you are reading this, then there is every chance that you’re seeking counselling for yourself or someone close to you. Maybe you want to change your life and you're looking for someone to help you do that. 

I am trained in three main approaches.

Therapeutic counselling. Therapeutic counselling is a psychological approach that focuses on helping individuals learn skills, techniques to help cope, whilst make improvements in their own lives. Therapeutic counselling uses a holistic approach for improving psychological well-being by helping individuals understand their actions and how to resolve them.

Addiction counselling. Addiction Counselling is a highly specialised form of counselling that views serious and problematic use of a substance or behaviour as far more serious as it being simply a symptom of underlying issues. The goal of an addiction counsellor is to implement a proper and personalised treatment program, to help their clients overcome their addiction.

Trauma Focused- Therapy. Trauma-Focused Therapy is a specific approach to therapy that recognises, emphasises, and understands how the traumatic experience impacts a client’s mental, behavioural, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being.

At some stages in our lives, many of us can experience anxiety, depression, stress, relationships troubles, loneliness, addiction, terminal illness, bereavement and lose.  You are not alone. Counselling and Psychotherapy can help you manage and overcome many of these issues.

You may be asking what makes me different from a lot of other therapists?  

I have a specialised interest in the subjects of Addictions, PTSD & Trauma, Anxiety and Relationships. This has meant that a focus of my work and training, has been aimed at these areas. I am also a lived experience practitioner of addiction (I’m in recovery myself), that gives me a unique insight to this area. 

Contacting me and getting started:

On initial contact with me, I will respond within 24hrs to offer you a free telephone 15–20-minute consultation session, where we can discuss the process of counselling and your current needs. My experience has shown me that this is the most beneficial way to establish contact, as it allows you the opportunity to ask questions prior to the first session. All clients are sent a frequently asked questions (FAQ) copy of my contract and GDPR statements prior to the first session to read. 

My areas of specialists are.

Drug and Alcohol Addiction- I continue to work in this field. I am currently an area manager for a drug & alcohol service within Hertfordshire. 

Trauma Focussed Therapy- Working with child or adult trauma. I have undergone training and continue to train as a specialist within this area. My current mentor is Rachel Fairhurst, who is my supervisor and trainer. Within this model of working i have been trained in the following approaches- Skills Training in Affective Interpersonal Regulation (STAIR)  Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and the Rewind Technique with David Muss. All of which are NICE recommended protocols, to be used with working with PTSD and complex trauma. (C-PTSD)

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
£60:  Telephone Counselling   50 minute session
£60   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.

My background as a counsellor, comes from working within the field of mental health and addiction where I did my training. I have been a manager of a rehab centre within Hertfordshire for the last two years. I have worked in health and social care for over 10 years now working with a wide range of diverse clients.
I have strong links within Hertfordshire and the UK to help refer anyone in need of more intensive addiction or trauma support, this includes families.

I worked as part of a pilot project with the NHS to provide twelve funded sessions for those affected by domestic violence and sexual assault. This has led me to further my training in this area. I have completed a NVQ Level 5 & 6 in Trauma Focused Therapy with further training to be started in 2024 as I continue to specialise within this subject. 

In 2021 I become a college lecturer at West Herts College, teaching level 1 & 2, 3 and 4 counselling training for anyone interested or starting to consider studying to become a counsellor.  Please see West Herts College for further information on courses. 

When not teaching or practising as a therapist, you will find me at the gym, or when away on holiday scuba diving.