Individual Counselling & Psychotherapy in Chepstow

Face-to-face in Chepstow and online

Looking up into the branches of a mature tree

Gestalt Psychotherapy

I trained as a Gestalt psychotherapist; the term Gestalt is a German word meaning 'shape' or 'form' and encompasses a wide variety of concepts. The ethos of Gestalt is about the whole person’s experience: their thoughts, feelings, behaviour and body sensations.

The Gestalt approach supports individuals in increasing their self-awareness to bring clarity. The present moment is our access point to awareness: where we are now, and how the past shapes our now. By focusing on where we direct our thoughts, we can begin to make informed choices. Gestalt therapy can support people to become more aware of how actions affect relationships with others.

The aim of Gestalt is to increase your awareness of patterns of behaviour which have developed as a way of coping in the past but are no longer helpful in the present.

Awareness & perception

The image demonstrates the impact of our environment on how we see the world. The old woman / young woman illusion shows the power of perception and how our individual experiences and beliefs shape the way we see the world around us.

At the outset of psychotherapy, many people are unaware of how their way of being may prevent them from feeling in contact with their family, friends and within their intimate relationships. There might be a reliance on how they 'should' be rather than how they want to be.

Optical illusion that can be seen as either a young woman or an older woman

What can therapy help with?

Some of the areas people want to explore in therapy include the following:

Depression
Anxiety
Stress
Lack of confidence and low self-esteem
Relationship difficulties
Difficulties forming relationships or coming to terms with the end of a relationship
Impact of difficult childhood experiences which continue to affect you now
Bereavement
Trauma
ADHD

This is not an exhaustive list, just a few examples of some of the issues that can be addressed.

“Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.”

Brené Brown

Large leafless tree silhouetted against the setting sun

Qualifications & experience

Advanced diploma in Gestalt Psychotherapy Welsh Psychotherapy Institue, Cardiff

Post Graduate diploma in supervision, Relational Change, Esher

Accredited Gestalt psychotherapist with the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)

Accredited supervisor with the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)

Relate qualified relationship Counsellor

Qualified British Wheel of Yoga teacher

BA(Hons) Social Policy & Administration

Orange flowers growing together in a garden

Additional Experience

25 years’ experience as a therapist seeing couples and individuals
Supervisor of qualified and trainee psychotherapists and Counsellors
Relate/Macmillan Relationship Counsellor seeing couples and individuals.
Advocate for children/young people who are considered 'in need' or 'looked after' by Social Services
Family Group Meeting Coordinator, facilitating Family Group Meetings.
Youth & Community Worker

Ready to make an appointment?

If you’re considering counselling or psychotherapy and would like to find out whether working together feels right for you, you’re very welcome to get in touch for an informal chat.

Face-to-face appointments are available in Chepstow, with online appointments also available.

Individual therapy: £60 for a 1-hour appointment

Limited reduced-rate appointments are available for those on a low income.

Get in touch

Photography by Geoff Watson · Additional photograph by Damien Siodlak via Unsplash.