Gherardo Della Marta

Welcome,

As a counsellor, I offer a non judgemental space where you can discuss issues, concerns and feelings you may experience. I can help you to clarify choices you are about to make and to allow you to develop a deeper understanding of any aspects of your life you might find problematic or confusing.

I have worked with individual clients since 2012 in the voluntary sector and in private practice. I am currently supporting individuals who struggle with anxiety, depression, anger, low self esteem, sexuality, sexual identity, loss and bereavement, low motivation and relationships issues.

I am based in Bedford MK40 , Camden Nw1, Holborn WC1B, and Queens Park W10. I am trained as an integrative therapist, which means I  incorporate different counselling theories depending on the client I am working with.

I have been working successfully with clients using these counselling approaches such as CBT, psychodynamic, person centred, Gestalt

CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy) can be very effective if you are experiencing depressive thoughts and negative thinking patterns; ex “I am always late; I screw up like this all the time, and I’m going to lose my job.””. Working using the CBT approach can help you to change this statement with a more positive one such as “Well I am usually early for these events, and everyone makes mistakes. I’m sure my colleagues will understand.”

Psychodynamic counselling can be useful to understand how childhood issues still play a role in your life or in your relationships


person centred: this is a non directive module and focuses on the quality of the client-therapist relationship. Each person is, as an individual, considered to be unique.


Gestalt therapy: this type of therapy work with the concepts of unity, wholeness and the integration of body, feelings and intellect. "unfinished business" form the past is brought into awareness.  This is a creative approach and uses techniques such as the empty chair.

These are the issues I am often working with:


Anxiety ( panic disorders, social and generalized anxiety disorders)
depression (mild, bipolar, clinical)
anger management,
life crisis,
drug and alcohol addictions,
relationships issues,
affairs, betrayals, separations
sexual identity, sexuality,
low self esteem,
low motivation
LGBT issues,
loss and bereavement,
self doubt,
mental health issues,
stress, work related issues,
trauma,
low motivation,
feeling of being stuck.

The way I work


I usually offer an initial consultation where we have the chance to meet face to face  to see if counselling is something that you are interested in. I will not push you to enter therapy if this does not feel right for you.

But if you decide to work together I can help you to understand how past experiences have played a negative role in your life and how you might have become unhappy, stuck and depressed as a result of these struggles.

I can also help you to gain more understanding of how negative thoughts can affects your feelings and behaviours. Together we can discuss how these have impacted on your life  and I will support you to manage these negative thoughts you may be experiencing and I will guide you while trying to replace them with more positive and alternative ways of thinking


Previous counselling experiences


2008 - 2014 NHS forensic mental health hospital in East London as forensic mental health worker.


2008 - 2010 Bereavement agency in East London and the City as a volunteer counsellor; working with bereaved clients on a weekly basis for up to 12 sessions


2008- 2014 LGBT London Friend charity organization as a volunteer counsellor and assessor; working with LGBT clients on a weekly basis for up to 12 sessions


2012 - 2013 Relate in Richmond; working as a volunteer counsellor with couples on a weekly basis for up to 12 sessions or open ended


2012 - 2014 Hetherington GP surgery in Clapham South as a volunteer counsellor ;working with clients for  6 sessions on a weekly basis


2012 - 2014 The Awareness centre in Clapham as a volunteer counsellor; working with clients on a long term counselling contract up to 2 years on a weekly basis

Since 2014 I have been working in private practice in Holborn, Camden, Queens Park and Bedford

Special interests and issues I have been working with :

LGBT issues

I have more than 1000 hours of 1-1 client work  supporting gay, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender clients with issues related to their sexuality, sexual identity, coming out processes, shame and acceptance, sexual abuse, harassment, bullying, intimacy issues, addictions. I am a member of the Pink therapy directory and I am often attending seminars and workshops in the field of sexual minorities therapy.

Anxiety and Depression

I am also interested in supporting clients suffering from depression and anxiety, helping them to challenge their negative thoughts and beliefs they have about themselves and the world around them. CBT teaches us that is the way we think that affects our feelings and behaviours. By understanding this relationship we can challenge our perceptions of the world around us and ourselves.

Young person counselling 15+

I have worked therapeutically in counselling with adolescents and young people to explore any concerns that may be causing them problems in their social, emotional or cognitive development. The therapeutic process gives them the opportunity to express difficult or confused feelings in a safe environment with clear
boundaries. I am often working with issues such as: low confidence, bullying and harassment at school, ADHD, peer pressure, sexual identity, low performance at school.

Relationships counselling

When problems occur in a relationship, communication can shut down and with it, the best hope of finding a solution. It is important to work on your relationship, taking some time away from day to day routines, so you can achieve what you really want and deserve from your relationship. With a compassionate, non-judgemental facilitator present, partners are often able to do this by discussing issues or problems that may have previously felt too difficult or unsafe.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is paying attention to the present moment, without getting stuck in the past or worrying about the future.Mindfulness can be practiced standing, sitting and walking. It can be practiced both indoors and out; at home, in schools, at work or simply out and about. You can practice mindfulness for 5 minutes or 5 hours – that’s the great thing about mindfulness, you can tailor it to suit your own needs.

What you may be surprised to hear is that you have probably been mindful at some point in your life and didn’t even know it… Have you gone for a long walk, breathing in the crisp, fresh air and then suddenly realised that four hours have passed? Have you listened so intently to a song that for a moment, you weren’t thinking about anything but how beautiful the melody was? That’s mindfulness!

FEES

£40 - £70


Initial assessment £30


OFFERS





I offer some discounts to students and clients on low income; the fees for these clients are £ 25-30 for 50 minutes session



mornings, day time, evenings and weekends appointments are available IN W10, WC1B AND NW1

Saturdays morning from 10-4pm in Bedford MK40


Sono Italiano e posso offrire la terapia in lingua italiana


telephone, email and online counselling also available


FAQ ABOUT COUNSELLING


How long a session last? each session will last 50 minutes and we will meet on the same day of the week


How much does it costs? My fees are £ 40 - £ 70 and i offer some lower rates to students or those clients on low incomes. the rates for these clients are £25 - £30


How many sessions? we will meet for a initial assessment and if we both agree to work together we will meet for further 6 sessions. After that we will review the process and we will decide if we want to work with an open ending


what about missed sessions? any cancellations should be given at least 48h notice . For any sessions cancelled or missed with less than 48h notice the fee for that session will have to be paid in the following session


Counsellor holidays. I will give you 2 weeks notice for any holidays i will take and i will expect you to do the same.


Ending therapy. Clients can end sessions at anytime but i will suggest at least 2 sessions to address any unresolved issues