Lesley Gent
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Hello. I am Lesley and I am a fully qualified integrative, humanistic counsellor. Being integrative means that I work from a number of different theories, meaning you the client, will get a more tailor-made and personal experience. Although understanding theory is essential for me as the counsellor, it is the therapeutic relationship itself that is of utmost importance for the client and counsellor together.
I know myself, both from professional and personal experience, that counselling can seem very daunting at first. Yet being able to talk freely and without judgement can be very healing and I can offer a supportive, non-judgmental space to explore any issues you may have. I firmly believe that by offering a safe, empathetic, warm and healing space, anything is possible within a healthy therapeutic relationship.
I will be asking you to trust me and share your reasons for seeking support. There is no need to rush, we will have time to work through your feelings and pin point the focus of your issue(s), together. At times modern life can seem so hectic that it can be difficult to notice when we are becoming overwhelmed, or indeed what the breaking point has been. Anxiety and negative thoughts can soon become an everyday part of life. It isn't easy to reach out for help when you feel so alone, even if you have a supportive network around you.
I am willing to work with any presenting issue that may enter the therapeutic working relationship and will 'hold' you the client as your issues are explored. I have experience working with; depression, anxiety, dissociation, trauma, eating issues, abuse (sexual, physical and mental), neglect, health issues/anxieties, addiction, suicidal ideation and self-harm.
If you feel that an impartial, therapeutic relationship could be of help then I ask that you get in contact, even (or especially) if it seems daunting. Lives can be turned around and great healing can happen when a journey is faced together. I have a flexible service and can be contacted by email or telephone in the first instance without obligation.
Training, qualifications & experience
I have undertaken 4 years of training culminating in obtaining the Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling.
I have remained with my placement, Clarity (Barnstaple) since 2017 and undertake voluntary and paid work with them.
I have experience of a wide range of mental health issues and have worked with individuals from the age of 14 upwards.
Mostly individual counselling with some group work. Currently managing a project for Clarity that is linked with the Police force. I continue to keep my knowledge relevant and up to date with continued professional development and supervision.
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
Fees
£40.00 per session
Free initial in-person, telephone or online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Up to £40 per session - sessions are 60 minutes.
When I work
Availability through the week Monday - Friday. Some weekend work. Please get in touch to organise an initial (free of charge) assessment and discuss availability.
