Gary Parsons
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This professional has no current availability for new clients. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
This professional has no current availability for new clients. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
About me
I offer a Professional, Confidential Counselling service in Bridgwater, Somerset, where I have worked since 2015.
Why choose me as your Counsellor?
I work in a straightforward, jargon free, down to earth way. My approach is structured around your personal situation and experiences, at a pace chosen by you and flexible in terms of how we work together.
I make sure you feel in control of our sessions and provide regular opportunities to review our work together.
I won't tell you what to do, or judge the decisions you've made or path you choose to move forward - this is how counselling can differ from a relationship with a friend or family member.
How do we start?
Following your initial enquiry, I'll get back to you ASAP!
Clicking the 'EMAIL ME' on this profile will allow you to provide details which I will respond to to get things started.
I offer a relaxed informal meeting to help you decide if I am the right person to talk to. You can ask questions and figure out if you'd like to proceed with further sessions. There is no 'hard sell' - you choose if you'd like to continue, we can discuss days and times that work for you, the purpose of our sessions, and how we will know when the time is right to complete our work together.
For more info please check out my website at https://garyparsonscounselling.com, or get in touch with any questions you might have.
Training, qualifications & experience
My approach to working is known as Integrative - in a nutshell this means my training enables me work flexibly within a structured framework to help guide me in my work with you as our sessions progress.
Professional Memberships
- Registered British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy Member
- Accredited National Counselling Society Member
Formal Qualifications
- Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling
- Level 4 Diploma in Counselling
- Level 4 Certificate in Approaches to Addictive Behaviour
- Level 3 Advanced Certificate In Counselling
- Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills
I engage in regular Continued Professional Development (CPD) days, attending workshops, courses and online training days in order to continue learning.
I’ve worked in a range of therapeutic environments which has allowed me experience a diverse demographic of individuals, including agency work, hostels and schools.
Member organisations
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 National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society
This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations.
In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
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
Fees
£50.00 per session
Free initial in-person or online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Individual counselling
- Initial meeting (approx 30-40 minutes).
This provides an opportunity to discuss how counselling may be of use to you, to explore your circumstances, hopes and expectations for our work together, and to ask any questions you have.
I'll explain my confidentiality policies and give you a bit more information about how I work.
- Standard Individual counselling sessions are £50.00 (50 minutes).
Sessions are booked at an initial frequency of one appointment per week. Frequency adjustments may be discussed during session reviews.
Payment of fees is made at the end of each session, currently payment accepted is Cash or Bank Transfer. Receipts can be provided.
If you have any further queries or need to know more, please don't hesitate to contact me - there's no such thing as a silly question!
When I work
Contact for the latest availability letting me know when you can attend!
Further information
I work from a community building, this has several advantages for you;
- Good free parking,
- Within walking distance of regular bus routes,
- Ground floor access for chair users or those who struggle with stairs,
- Clean accessible toilet facilities,
- Safe, warm, comfortable private setting to talk in.
Maps and detailed directions are available on my website.
