Hello, I'm Stephen. I am a psychotherapeutic counsellor with a background in supporting adults and young people through psychological challenges. I currently have space for in-person and online in my practice, including ‘outdoor counselling’. I provide face-to-face sessions at the Psychosynthesis Trust, near London Bridge Station, and online sessions during the day or evening, inc. a couple of weekend slots. For clients living in Central or East London with disabilities who are unable to attend the Trust and lack IT skills for online sessions, home visits can be arranged. 'Outdoor counselling' sessions are held in Wanstead Park.

BACKGROUND
I have trained in and studied various approaches to personal well-being since the late 90s, have a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychosynthesis (transpersonal/holistic) Counselling, and a Certificate in Advanced Psychosynthesis Skills. My training included aspects of Gestalt theory and practices, and included many aspects of person/client-centred counselling. I have also trained in additional areas of Gestalt psychology since qualifying. I have professional experience working with clients from various backgrounds, cultures and professions, with a variety of presenting issues they wished to work on.

GENERAL
I will work empathically and inter-relationally with you in order to explore your reasons for coming to counselling and any resolutions or changes you seek to reflect on, and will support you throughout that process. I will regularly conduct reviews to check how our time together is working, and if it is meeting your needs or requires adapting, reassessing or expanding.

As no two clients are the same or have the same needs, you will find me open and accepting to what you bring to sessions, such as past beliefs and experiences and how they may still be influencing you, or focusing solely on what is happening now in your life.

I will provide a therapeutic healing space for you to explore and reflect upon your well-being.

Together we may look at issues of loss, abuse, discrimination, abandonment, gender issues or sexual needs. You may wish to do a minimum of six sessions or require longer, which will supply you with more time to go deeper and process more fully what emerges in sessions. The aim of the work will be to assist you in integrating and embodying what you need for making wholesome choices and opening to healthy changes for deeper meaning and purpose to your life.

I will have your best interest at heart. If for any reason you feel we are not compatible or you require more specialist help, I will suggest exploring the possibility of a referral.

FIRST SESSION
The first session is a free session if done online. After making a request for counselling, I will arrange a convenient day and time to meet in person or online, where we can complete a contract, which will supply me with an overview of your reasons for seeking counselling. This will also give you an understanding of my responsibilities, such as abiding by BACP’s ethical standards. In the first session, we will discuss your main presenting issue and any procedures that need to be in place for online sessions (if applicable). By the end of the first session, you should feel reassured that we will work at a pace that is right for you and in a space where you can openly talk about and share your feelings.