Orla Gardam MA MBACP(Accred)Counsellor, Psychotherapist & Supervisor
About me
DURING THE CURRENT COVID-19 PANDEMIC, MY PRACTICE IS WORKING VIA
ZOOM VIDEO CONFERENCING, PHONE or FaceTime.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE SEE MY WEBSITE
I have a practice in Wokingham Berkshire and Harley Street London. I have over 25 years of experience working in the field of counselling and psychotherapy. I use an eclectic approach in my practice, this means I can adapt my skills to the needs of individual clients rather than the client having to adapt and fit into my approach.
I work with both brief solution focused therapeutic approaches and open-ended long term basis. I have extensive experience working with addictions using the 12 step model alongside more traditional approaches to counselling.
I also have experience of working with clients with a variety of issues including;
• relationship issues • stress • low self-esteem • depression •anxiety • panic attacks • self-confidence • self-harm
• anger • bereavement • work-related issues
I believe that my clients have the answers to ease whatever anxiety or chaos they may be experiencing. Using the counselling time to explore issues in a non-threatening 'safe' environment can give clients the opportunity to explore feelings and fears.
I hope to offer a supportive environment that empowers the client to look at 'how' they are living their life and reflect on whether this is what they want or, what they think they should be doing. They can then move towards leading a more fulfilling and contented life.
Daytime and Evening appointments available
BUPA Recognised Therapist
AXA PPP and Aviva approved Psychotherapist
Training, qualifications & experience
- Masters Degree Counselling & Psychotherapy, 2001,
- Diploma Counselling 1999,
- BACP Registered, Accredited Counsellor & Psychotherapist
- BACP Senior Accredited Supervisor of Individuals
- British Psychological Society Certificate in Clinical Supervision
- SDS Accreditation in Clinical Supervision Level 2 (Assessed Academic Competence)
- SDS Accreditation in Clinical Supervision and online working. Level 3 (Advanced) with Assessed Academic and Clinical Competence
- Certificate in the Management of Drug Misuse Secure Environment - Part 1 2009,
- Certificate in the Management of Alcohol Problems in Primary Care 2010,
- Certificate Developing Inter-professional Skills in Health Promotion and Public Health Practice 2006,
- PTTLS Certificate 2012,
- CPCAB Approved Tutor 2012
- BUPA Recognised Mental Health and Wellbeing Therapist
- Pruhealth approved Psychotherapist
- AxA PPP approved Psychotherapist
- Aviva approved Psychotherapist
Member organisations
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.
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
BACP is one of the UK’s largest professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy. Therapists registered with the Association fall into a number of different membership categories such as Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP and Registered Member MBACP (Accred), each standing for different levels of training and experience. MBACP (Accred) and MBACP (Snr Accred) members have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by the Association.
Registered members can be found on the BACP Register, which was the first register to achieve Accredited Voluntary Register status issued by the Professional Standards Authority. Individual Members will have completed an appropriate counselling and/or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but will not appear on the BACP Register until they've progressed to Registered Member MBACP status.
All members are bound by a Code of Ethics & Practice and a Complaints Procedure. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Accredited register membership
Accredited Register Scheme
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
Supervision
I am a BACP Senior Accredited Supervisor.
I have been supervising Counsellors and Psychotherapists for over 17 years in a variety of settings throughout my career including a Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Unit, within the NHS and for those in Private Practice. I have a British Psychological Society approved Certificate in Clinical Supervision.
I bring a flexible and understanding approach to my supervisory relationships offering a relaxed and supportive environment for Counsellors and Psychotherapists to explore the work they are doing with their clients. I am committed to supporting your ongoing development and learning as a practitioner.
Please see my supervisor profile for more details
Supervisor Collaboration
The importance of Supervision for our counselling work is a concept that is understood ethically and also to ensure the Normative, Formative and Restorative needs we have are being met.
The Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions tells us the following as part of the Supervision section.
62. Supervision requires additional skills and knowledge to those used for providing services directly to clients. Therefore supervisors require adequate levels of expertise acquired through training and/or experience. Supervisors will also ensure that they work with appropriate professional support and their own supervision.
My practice offers dedicated space for supervisors to bring their supervision work for Collaboration to ensure continued professional and personal development.
I offer Supervision in Berkshire, Harley Street.
Concessions available for students
Therapies offered
Fees
Wokingham Counselling & Psychotherapy
£55 for Individuals
£65 for Couples
Concessions available for students
Wokingham Supervision
£55 - 1hour
£65 - 1.5hour
Concessions available for students
Harley Street Counselling & Psychotherapy
£140 for Individuals
Harley Street Supervision
£110 - 1 hour
£150 - 1.5 hour
BUPA Recognised Therapist
Pruhealth Approved
AXA PPP,
Aviva and Vitality Health Legacy Approved Therapist
Further information
Face to Face and Telephone counselling available. I offer daytime and evening appointments. You can also email for more information to orla.gardam@yahoo.co.uk
Counselling takes place in a summer house which is at the front of my home. This offers a quite and relaxed environment for counselling sessions to take place. I am 5mins walk from Wokingham town centre and there is ample car parking space for clients on the driveway.
I also have a Practice in Harley Street W1. For further details please visit my website : www.orlacounselling.co.uk.
