Tessa Gates
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Hi, I’m Tessa and welcome to Mindful Path Counselling. Feeling overwhelmed by the vast number of counsellors to choose from?
Are you feeling stuck, as if no matter what you do, you just can’t shake this sense of helplessness or overwhelm? Is your life so busy and stressful that you never seem to have time for what truly matters to you?
Are you lacking in motivation? Does it feel too difficult to make the changes in your life that you feel will help you to move forward? Do you find it hard to stick to your goals, or are you unsure how to even go about setting realistic and achievable goals in the first place?
Do you often worry about the future, and things that could go wrong?
Do you worry about what other people think of you and your life choices, leading you to live a life that you’re unhappy with?
Do you sometimes struggle with physical symptoms, such as fatigue, headaches, racing heart, stomach cramps, digestion issues or muscle tension? Do you struggle to sleep at night, or always feel as though you need more sleep no matter what time you go to bed?
Do you find yourself feeling emotional, irritated or angry a lot of the time, or have an increasing lack of patience? Do you struggle to focus, make decisions or remember important information?
Does the way you’re feeling make you withdraw from friends and family or social situations, because you just feel too tired or just don’t feel like being around people? Does this then sometimes lead to feelings of guilt for not showing up for the people you love, and wishing you could be more present in life?
Do you have a clear vision for your life, or do you often wonder if there’s something more out there for you?
Are you tired of the rat race, the mundane 9-5 grind? While we all need to earn a living, manage household chores, and support our loved ones, what if there was a way to do all this without feeling so overwhelmed? What if you could discover new ways to enjoy life?
Are you new to therapy and don’t know where to start? Have you tried therapy before - delved into your life’s different aspects, uncovered patterns, but then felt lost on what to do next, leaving you feeling deflated?
If this sounds like you, please rest assured that you are not alone.
I hear you.
I have been there, and have experienced very similar feelings in my life too.
About Me
Before becoming a counsellor, I too had a typical 9-5 office job. I felt stressed, burnt out, and constantly exhausted, always questioning if there was more to life. For years, I merely went through the motions, stuck in an unhappy relationship, and feeling disconnected from those around me.
In 2016, a series of bereavements and losses brought me to my lowest point. I felt hopeless and couldn’t see a way out. Desperate for change, I reached out to a mindfulness counsellor. This marked the beginning of my journey towards self-discovery. Today, I am grateful to live a contented, balanced, and fulfilling life. I enjoy healthy relationships, in particular with myself, and have a clear vision for my future.
Now, my mission is to help others navigate the challenges of life. I am passionate about mindfulness and meditation, and I am dedicated to helping people discover what they truly want from life. If you’re ready to create a more meaningful and enjoyable life, I am here to support you on your journey.
I understand that making the decision to begin therapy can sometimes feel overwhelming. I want to reassure you that this feeling is completely normal, and you are not alone with this. My priority is to do everything I can to help you feel at ease.
Contact Me
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how counselling works, or to arrange an appointment for a free initial 15 minute consultation call.
If you prefer, you can also book your free 15-minute consultation call using the calendar function by clicking the link below:
https://calendly.com/tessa-gates/initial-15-min-chat
How I work
Whilst traditional therapy focuses on symptom reduction, and finding ways to “get rid” of uncomfortable feelings in order to feel better, my approach acknowledges the fact that this is almost always impossible to do. Life is full of ups and downs, and it’s completely normal to have these feelings, and to try and get rid of these completely can often result in further suffering. I focus on empowering my clients to navigate these challenging times more effectively, which does often result in the additional benefit of symptom reduction.
“Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional”
I am a qualified, humanistic counsellor, who specialises in Mindfulness techniques. I am an integrative counsellor, and operate from a foundation of person-centred therapy which is a humanistic approach to counselling. I create a calm, nurturing, and empathetic space where you can express yourself freely and authentically at your own pace, feeling truly heard.
Incorporating Gestalt and mindfulness techniques, I aim to help you increase self-awareness, understand common patterns of behaviour, and explore how you relate to yourself and others in the present moment.
Additionally, I use aspects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to support you in clarifying your values, and taking meaningful action towards a fulfilling life. This can sometimes include goal setting and experiential exercises, either in our sessions or in your own time.
Our work together is a collaborative process, with a focus on empowering you to tap into your own inner resources and strengths as we navigate your journey towards growth and healing.
Training, qualifications & experience
- CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills
- CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies
- CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Whilst I have experience and interest in these presenting issues, I am not only limited to working with these areas, and am equipped to support clients facing a wide range of other challenges as well.
Photos & videos
Fees
£50.00 per session
Additional information
I currently offer online appointments only, which will be carried out on WhatsApp video platform.
I offer weekday as well as limited evening and weekend appointments – for more information about my availability please get in touch.
Sessions consist of 50 minutes, and my fee is £50 per session.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how counselling works, or to arrange an appointment for a free initial 15 minute consultation call.
If you prefer, you can also book your free 15-minute consultation call using the calendar function by clicking the link below:
https://calendly.com/tessa-gates/initial-15-min-chat
After booking, you should receive a booking confirmation email, please make sure you check your junk folder if you don't receive it. Any problems, please contact me on 07709 079839.
You can also call me on 07709 079839 if you would prefer to leave a message or speak to me first and I will try my best to answer. I may be in another appointment and therefore unable to answer your call, so the best way to contact me is to send a text on 07709 079839 or email me here, then we can arrange a call from there.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Further information
What next?
When you make initial contact with me, either via phone call, text or WhatsApp message, email or via my social media pages, we will then arrange a suitable day and time for an initial chat over the phone, so that we can both see if we feel we will be a good fit for each other. If you decide you would like to go ahead and work with me, we will decide on a suitable day and time for our regular sessions, and I will send you a copy of my contract to read before our first session. I will also discuss this with you in the first session and will always give plenty of opportunity for you to ask any questions before asking you to sign this so we can then begin our work together.
Taking the first step towards seeking help can be daunting, but it is also a courageous move towards a better life. Remember, you don't have to go through this alone. Together, we will work towards uncovering the layers of your experiences, discovering new perspectives, and building resilience. Whether you're dealing with long-standing issues or facing new challenges, I am here to support and guide you. Let's embark on this journey towards healing and growth, one step at a time. Your well-being is my priority, and I look forward to helping you find the peace and fulfilment you deserve.
I look forward to hearing from you.
