About me
Hey, I’m Paul, and I’m a Gestalt Psychotherapist. It is really common to think that there is something wrong with you when starting therapy, I did. And there isn’t. Whatever the reason for your seeking therapy, it is important to understand how you are results from a situation or situations; it is not a personal flaw.
Alongside you, I will help you to grow your awareness around the complexities of these situations and for you to rediscover your agency and authenticity if you feel them lost; this will help you to find some peace with yourself.
I’m passionate about mental health care and really want to make it part of my life’s work to de-stigmatise and normalise therapy. Having a well-held space to examine your life and psychological processes is worth its weight in gold in my opinion.
You will doubtless need the affirming support that your current life space doesn’t provide; therefore, I aim to provide one that you feel safe in, one that is non-judgemental, anti-oppressive and trustworthy in order for you to open up and begin to understand yourself better. My style is relaxed and chatty; I think this helps to make my clients feel at ease.
I grew up on a farm and have since worked in a number of areas, including teaching English abroad, the trades, and the arts. This has given me a broad understanding of the stresses of the contemporary workspace and the challenges of traditionally held beliefs. My resultant areas of special interest are:
- Questioning traditionally assigned gender roles
- The complexities of trauma and shame: fear and lack of safety, harmful coping strategies, self-criticism and emotional suffering, relationship difficulties
- Confronting existential issues such as finding your values in life, death, and the ageing process
- Displacement and home sickness and the difficulties of communicating in a second language
- Bereavement
- Work stresses
- Working with adult survivors of childhood abuse
- Working with creatives given my artistic nature (I’m an artist/painter)
Additionally, I have experience of working with all forms of neuro-diversity, sexual abuse, anxiety, and depression, LGBTQIA+ identities, and living with illness and disability. What is more, I am fascinated to work with both accredited therapists and therapists in training who share a passion for mental health.
My therapy room is a garden room in a peaceful village just outside Pocklington at the foot of the Wolds. Clients always comment on the serenity of the garden and the birdsong.
As an introductory offer, I give either a free twenty-minute online call or a reduced rate first session of £30 so that you can get a feel for how therapy with me might be.
Training, qualifications & experience
I have a Postgraduate Diploma in Gestalt Psychotherapy and have worked in private practice since 2022. I have also volunteered in the charitable sector for a number of years, notably at Mind. In addition to this I am a qualified Clinical Hypnotherapist which informs my understanding of the unconscious mind . I’d also add that I have a Masters in the arts, specialising in painting. Sessions can often be creative or use creative media for when words fail.
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 UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.
As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.
UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. 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
Therapies offered
Fees
£60.00 - £70.00
Additional information
Clients choose the price that they feel they can afford.
