Gina Costin

Thank you for visiting my profile. Here’s some information about me, my areas of interest, how you can start the process, and how we could work together.

My areas of interest:

• ·         ADHD

Firstly if you’re a client who has been diagnosed with ADHD, or you think you have it, then I may be the counsellor for you.  I live with ADHD,  although it took me half a life time to identify this, and it was never spotted by anyone else, including a number of counsellors.  I think that many counselling approaches overlook ADHD, which can limit the value of understanding client experiences. Whilst ADHD itself may not be a causal factor of counselling problems. I feel that it can influence how a person navigates issues.

• ·         LOSS

Loss enters my counselling room a lot, in many forms!!  Loss of a skill, health,  employment, and even loss of things that one realises they may never have.  One loss can create multiple others, for example may loss of a relationship may result of loss of peer support, friends and extended family. Society offers few opportunities that enable people to work through a loss experience, particularly if it is ambiguous or unrecognised.  The rituals we all need to navigate the experience can therefore be lost too, amplifying any emotions that arise. 

• ·       HARMFUL BEHAVIOURS  

I believe that in society there are many "respectable" forms  of self-harm - folk who consume the planets resources regardless of the consequences, workaholics, consumerism, maintaining toxic relationships etc.  Curiously many "respectable" self harmers overlook what they are doing preferring to stigmatise folk for drugs and alcohol use!

Harmful behaviours are complex, and sometimes ambiguous too . Many helpers fail to understand that asking someone to relinquish their relationship with a harmful behaviour or an addiction is not simple. For example, such change has to be underpinned by the integration of something that can counter the need for drugs, alcohol or any harmful behaviour. As a counsellor I first sit on the side or harm reduction, rather than immediate abstinence, but I am happy to help anyone contemplating changes in this area. 

• ·         GENDER &  SEXUALITY.

Since 2016, I have volunteered in a South Essex based Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) peer support group. This experience helped me to understand the unconscious bias and discrimination that LGBT people face.  Clients who want to talk about issues that arise from their sexuality or gender identity, will find that my practice is an LGBTQI+  inclusive and affirming environment.

• ·         VULNERABLE  and/or STIGMATISED COMMUNITIES

Homeless/Vulnerable communities -I also volunteer to support  the homeless, vulnerable, and/or people with low income . I know that accessing counselling in these circumstances can be difficult. And therefore to meet the needs of people who find themselves in this situation I will adapt counselling provision to suit lives that do not fit what society expects.

• ·         DEMENTIA/LIFE CHANGING CONDITIONS

Dementia/End of Life care - I have extensive knowledge of the lived experience of LGBTQI+ people living with dementia, as well as end of life care. Carer or cared for, I can offer a deeper understanding of the issues that are faced in this area. I deliver a number of workshops to health care professionals and anyone involved in helping others. There are many issues that helpers and carers fail to consider in these caring settings.

AIM counselling is a Dementia Friendly organisation.  I have been accredited by Basildon Dementia Action Alliance through collaboration with Alzheimer's Society. I follow their ethos of being "United Against Dementia", and seek to enhance the lives of those who care , or are cared for.

• ·         CLIENTS WITHIN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM

I have worked with the Police, and also with clients as a counsellor at the Probation Service.  I support clients who may have feelings such as shame or guilt, or feel stigmatised by society, I make no judgements on people who may have received convictions or been involved in crime. I have a deep understanding of the lived experience of Police Officers, those who work in the emergency services.

Other areas of experience:

My experience is not limited to above, but they are areas I have particular experience in. I can help you explore your concerns or issues, and I will not  make any  judgements, assumptions or tell you what you should do.  I offer a safe space for your to offload problems that burden you. I have safely worked with both adults and young people online and face to face. If accessibility is an issue, if able, I can undertake home visits too.

Personal philosophy as a counsellor:

My aim is to ensure that our therapeutic relationship is one that is a good fit for what you want from counselling. I do not have rigid rules and integrate a range of resources to underpin how we work therapeutically.

Inclusion is a core part of my practice. All ideas matter - my philosophical outlook on counselling and life is influenced by my lived experience. For example, I am interested in the philosophies that underpin Burning Man culture , such as immediacy,  (living in the moment). I also believe that we are a part of nature and the environment, not apart from it, and recognise that nature can play a part in wellbeing.

I believe clients  have the freedom to choose their own way in life and the therapy journey too. 

Session locations

•  Face to face,
• Online
• Telephone
•  Ecotherapy  (Eco-based counselling)
• Home visits

Thank you for reading my profile and look forward to working with you in your journey to better mental health.

• Gender Identity,/gender based issues
• Homelessness issues
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender issues
• Loss -  (including unrecognised, disenfranchised and ambiguous)

• £49 per face to face session
• £37 Online or Telephone 
• £30 for counselling students.
• £ Rates negotiable for clients  on income support, etc.

I have a particular interest in loss and bereavement issues. For example, ambiguous losses such as missing people, skills and abilities. Or  losses those that may not always be socially supported, such as a bereavement in a gay relationship.