Gary McKendrick
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About me
I'm Gary, I'm 50 years old, and I know how you feel to be looking for a therapist. These days I’m sat in the therapist's chair but I have sat in the other one; I've been the client too. So I know what it feels like to be completely overwhelmed, lost, have unhealthy coping habits, and be looking for help. To feel finally ready for help because YOU want to, not because someone has given you an order or an ultimatum. This therapy stuff only works if you want to be here, doing it for yourself.
I’ve now been sober since December 2009, and that journey didn’t happen overnight; it took a lot of hard graft, professional support, and learning how to rebuild from my rock bottom. I am living, breathing proof that sustainable, lasting change is absolutely possible, no matter how dark things seem now.
I work individually with clients, in my room in Plawsworth Hall (Chester-le-Street, DH2 3LD) or online using Google Meet.
My counselling and coaching work comprises helping my clients with issues from anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, meaning, relationships, work, stress, confidence, well-being, feelings of lost, stuck or overwhelmed.
My therapeutic coaching model works well with business owners and also those seeking to improve their wellness and mindfulness. I use the tools, techniques, and theories that I feel best suit the client, how they show up, and what their outcomes are.
When a client sits across from me in the room (or on screen), they aren't getting some clinical, detached lecturer. They’re getting someone who genuinely understands vulnerability. I know the crippling weight of anxiety, the urge to escape, the addictions, feeling uncomfortable in your own skin, and the fear of admitting you can't handle it all on your own. Because of my own past and transformation, I can help others change their lives.
The concept of Two Lives is based on:
"We all have two lives. The one we're currently living, and the one we're capable of living".
When I read this, it kick-started my desire to change, to stop coping in unhealthy and destructive ways, and to seek help and discover what I was capable of.
My clinical expertise is backed by real, lived experience. I combine proven psychological strategies with a straightforward, North-East lad honesty. I don't offer generic textbook regurgitation; I work with my clients to help them find a new perspective, create practical coping mechanisms, and the resilience they need to deal with whatever challenge they are faced with right now.
Let's just have a chat first and see where we're at. It's important to ensure we are the right fit, that you can work with me, and I can help you. We do that with one initial chat.
Then we contract for a block of 8 sessions, done weekly on the same day and time that works for us. As we build our rapport, we get to work in the sessions, and you work between the sessions with thought and reflection on what we discussed. I may also set tasks between sessions if I feel it will help you.
It starts with one chat first; reach out and make it happen (you've researched enough!).
Training, qualifications & experience
I am BACP member (01015682) and also a registered counsellor with the BACP (MBACP 416171). I have studied to Foundation Degree level in Counselling. I have worked in clinical practice since early 2024, and have worked with clients aged 6- 63, covering a wide range of issues.
By 2009, though I had an impressive career record, I also had two divorces and hated my reflection. When the booze didn't work anymore and caused more pain than pleasure, I knew I had to do something. So I started on my own counselling journey; my therapist helped me change my life. By December 2009, I had conquered my booze addiction, then went on to build my own business, got married, and had 3 kids.
So I understand the messiness of change, the vulnerability of becoming someone new, becoming a family man, and the stress and success of business ownership. My business went on to employ 38 people, with annual sales of £4m, but in the end it was not fulfilling enough for me. So I retrained as a counsellor and sold the business to follow a new path.
So here I am. I work with a lot of high-functioning, high-achieving men; however, I also work with women and with young people.
I understand how it feels to be uncomfortable in your own skin, to rely on unhealthy coping habits, and to silently get on with it, pretending that functioning is fine. With the right readiness, commitment, and doing the work, the right therapist can help you transform.
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
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£55.00 per session
Additional information
A discount can be offered for booking 8 sessions and paying in advance.
Further information
My therapy room is located within Plawsworth Hall Cottages & Serviced Accommodation. It is a private room within a lovely setting; with plenty free parking. On warmer days, we can walk the grounds and talk if fresh air is needed.
