Peter Vickerage

Sometimes life can feel overwhelming, making it hard to make sense of situations, to move on, or make decisions. Psychotherapy provides time to talk about your personal problems at your own pace and an opportunity for you to explore your feelings, thoughts, behaviours, fears and concerns. My goal is to support you as you gain a deeper insight into yourself and to resolve any difficulties or complexities that you might be experiencing. I will guide you to look after yourself emotionally and aid you to develop strategies to help you cope in future and resolve past difficulties.

Hi, my name is Peter and I am a degree level qualified integrative psychotherapist and hold a post graduate diploma in CBT and Person-Centred Experiential Counselling for Depression, based in the centre of Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. I do not believe in baffling people with incomprehensible words and confusing technical speak. My aim is simple, to support and help you. This is the reason I became a CBT Therapist and Integrative Counsellor; I am here to support those who find certain aspects of life challenging, upsetting and frustrating. I would like to help you realise that it is not a sign of weakness to ask for help and discuss problems, so who am I? Performing on stage as a compere, comedian, entertainer and singer, representing my county at Rugby and playing various other sports, I came across confident and secure. Yet underneath the surface, I experienced personal distress and found the courage to partake in my own therapy. This is where my journey ten years ago into counselling and psychotherapy began.

I like to keep things simple therefore, I would like to answer some questions, I think you may want to ask me.

Can you help me?

I am experienced working with clients on a range of issues, therefore, If you are suffering from stress, trauma, anxiety, generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), phobias, family issues, depression or feeling sad, to name a few, it can help to talk things through with someone not connected to your situation.

Are you qualified?

I have a BA (Hons) in Integrative counselling and a Post Graduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Person Centered Counselling, for Depression.

Will our conversations be confidential?

Whatever we discuss will be confidential unless, I have to save a life or prevent serious harm or crime.

Do you care?

Having experienced personal distress years previously, I understand the importance of receiving the proper help and support, so yes I do care, very much!

Are you insured?

I am fully insured with Towergate Insurance having Professional Liabilities Insurance covering me in the practice of Psychotherapy, Hypnotherapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

Are you a member of a professional association for counselling and psychotherapy?

I hold a membership from the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP)

How much do you charge?

I offer a rate of £80.00 per 50-minute session for CBT and Counselling

(CBT fees range from £80.00 - £130.00 per 50 minutes sessions)

How long does a session take?

Sessions are 50 Minutes.

How many sessions will I need?

There is no set amount of sessions as some people may need more than others, depending on their levels of distress. It all depends on how the sessions are progressing. Together, we will work out the amount of sessions you may need. If you feel comfortable working with me, my normal practice would be to recommend four sessions then engage in a review to see how therapy is working for you. This is your decision, some feel they have improved considerably after a few sessions and others request to continue for longer.

Will you do all the work, or will we work together?

The relationship works as a collaborative partnership – Both therapist (myself) and (you) the client, contribute to this relationship; therapy is a joint enterprise. Being committed to therapy and working collaboratively in order to give you the proper help and support is a major factor in therapy. Your commitment and us working together, will benefit you and help to overcome your distress.

Individuals CBT and Counselling -  £80.00 per session

Normal rates for CBT range from (£80.00 - £130.00)

I am available, weekdays and evenings.

Further Information

I believe I can help people to understand and overcome distressing situations. I offer clients a safe, ethical, confidential and supportive therapeutic relationship in which to explore their lives and the parts that may be difficult, confusing or painful. I believe that there are certain times when we can all find life overwhelming, stressful and full of obstacles. I am experienced working with clients on a range of issues, therefore, If you are suffering from distress, trauma, PTSD, anxiety, low self-esteem, self-development, OCD, phobias, relationship difficulties, depression or confusion, to name a few, it can help to talk things through with someone not connected to your situation.

Some people may find it difficult to ask for help and support, that it may be seen as a sign of weakness or failure, an inability to cope. This is not the case, my views are, that it takes a strong person to ask for support and it is in my experience that we all need support sometime in our life. However strong and confident we may seem on the outside, It is how we feel on the inside, our emotional wellbeing that counts.

I work from a relational-integrative theoretical basis as well as practising cognitive behavioural therapy (Thoughts, Feelings and Behaviour). This means that I can draw on a range of different theories to support my work. I believe that it is the relationship between you and your counsellor or psychotherapist that is fundamental in supporting you when you are distressed. Helping you understand yourself and your relationships both past and present can enable you to move forward. My priority is to create a warm, respectful, confidential and secure relationship, where you can feel safe enough to explore and come to terms with whatever may be troubling you.

Experience:

Anxiety, Depression, OCD, Panic, Stress, Loss, Self-esteem, Trauma, Phobias, Relationships and Work Related Issues.