About me
Hello and welcome
A little about me
I’m a warm, experienced, seasoned therapist based in Topsham, offering a calm, steady space where you can talk openly and feel genuinely heard. My approach is gentle, grounded, and collaborative - we work together at your pace, focusing on what feels most important for you right now.
People often come to me when they’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure where to turn. You don’t need to have the “right words” or a clear goal before starting therapy; we can explore things gradually and safely.
How I work
I use an integrative, relational approach, drawing from person‑centred, existential and trauma‑informed methods. This means I tailor therapy to you rather than expecting you to fit a model. Sessions are supportive, reflective and grounded in compassion.
As a qualified Mindfulness teacher and trainings in Buddhist psychology, I find including these approaches can help clients feel calmer and more at ease.
I work with adults of all ages, including people navigating:
- anxiety or persistent worry
- low mood or depression
- trauma or difficult childhood experiences
- relationship or family challenges
- grief, loss or major life changes
- stress, burnout or feeling “not yourself”
What therapy with me feels like
Clients describe me as calm, steady, intuitive and easy to talk to. My role is to help you feel safe enough to explore what’s going on beneath the surface - without pressure, judgement or expectation. Together we look at patterns, emotions and experiences that may be shaping how you feel today.
Location & accessibility
I offer therapy on a quiet farm in Topsham and online and by phone, across the UK. My practice is easily accessible from:
- Exeter
- Exminster
- Clyst St George
- Clyst St Mary
- Lympstone
- Woodbury
Online sessions are available if you prefer to work from home.
Fees & availability
Sessions last 60 minutes and cost £70; hours are Monday - Friday.
Next steps
If you feel drawn to working together, you’re welcome to get in touch. I’m happy to arrange a free initial 20min phone call, so you can get a sense of how therapy with me feels, or simply book a 1hr slot.
Wishing you well,
Gavin
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications/Training
- MA Applied Psychology
- PG Dip. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapies.
- Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Trained.
- Accredited Member of The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society.
- Rewind Trauma trained.
- IFS (Internal Family Systems) trained.
- PG Cert. in Education
- NLP Practitioner
- Transactional Analysis trained.
- Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) L1
- Enhanced DBS checked.
I maintain my own learning with Continuous Professional Development (CPD).
Courses and Retreats attended;
- Adapting MBCT for different populations - Exeter University.
- Conflict Resolution and Emotional Literacy - Iron Mill Institute.
- Hypnosis Certification Training - OPAL Ltd.
- Psychological Therapies for Depression - Identification and Assessment - Exeter University.
- First Aid at Work
- Duty of Care for Child Protection - MOSAIC Training.
- Emotional Intelligence- Daniel Goleman
- Emotional Literacy National Conference - Mentor Development Group.
- Retreats - (Buddhist) Insight and Liberation, Origins and Applications and Samadhi - Gaia House and Sharpham Trust. 'Wide and Wonderful Path' SanghaSeva. Plus many others.
- Mindfulness-Based Interventions -Masterclass with Jon Kabat-Zinn.
- 'Awaken Yourself, Transform the World'- Masterclass with Jack Kornfield.
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 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.
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
- Mindfulness - I am a qualified Mindfulness Teacher and offer individual sessions, NHS recommended 8 wk MBCT or MBSR courses, and Self-Compassion Training.
- Educational stress - Highly experienced in working with staff and students from Primary to Higher Education.
Therapies offered
Fees
£70.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Fees
Monday - Friday10 -6pm £70. (Bookings for the 6pm appointments £80)
Appointment times are for 60 minutes
Payment can be via BACS or cash on the day of the appointment
The full appointment fee will be due if cancellation is made less than 24 hrs before the appointment.
Further information
My practice is on a quiet organic farm, which offers both privacy and space. There is ample free and level parking.
As a human being in the 21st century, I have had personal experience of bereavement, divorce, mixed family parenting, career changes, and raising children.
I spent 15 yrs in education, where I taught, counselled and coached both students and staff. I managed a large team and budget. I am very aware of the stresses in education, parenting, relationships, physical and mental health, and the pressures of modern living.
In short, you and I will have more in common than at first you may think. It is this compassion, this lived life, this training, that I offer to you.
