Originally Gestalt therapy was developed after the second world war as part of a greater move towards humanism and self-actualisation. At that time, Gestalt was about raising awareness and experimental psychology. Since the 1990’s, Gestalt has developed. The aim of Gestalt therapy now is not to change the person but to explore who you are and your future growth and support. In Gestalt, the client is the expert on their growth process and the therapist aims to facilitate this process.

I am a contemporary relational dialogic Gestalt therapist. We will work together as a team on your agenda. My interventions will be intended to be in the service of your growth. I am a trauma-informed therapist who integrates attachment, shame, personality development and some basic neuroscience.

Therapy is actually for everyone. Everyone who has therapy comes for a different reason, but mainly because they feel they are not coping in one or more aspects of their life. Some people come to therapy to look at one issue whilst others come to examine the long-term impact of attachment, neglect, abuse or emotional absences. Lots of people come for a support when things are tricky or they are facing a change in circumstances and then have some time off. Ethically, I can not prolong therapy if I do not think it is needed.

I could write a list of issues, but lists are boring, so if you want to ask me if I can support you with your set of circumstances, please give me a ring and I will give you an open and honest assessment.

Everyone working as a therapist has their own answer to this question.

My answer is that counselling is about narrative and content. The client says this happened and the counsellor replies based on Rogers’ 1951 core conditions, especially empathy.

Therapy, or Psychotherapy, on the other hand, is about process. This psychotherapist takes the content and looks at the process between us that gives us a clue to why, how, when this happened. An example of a process is: if you had a critical mother and you hear your boss’s feedback as critical, we can work on whether this feedback was critical in the here and now, or whether it was your past filtering the comments as critical.

Psychotherapists also have undergone a longer training and have had to have therapy for at least four to six years.

UKCP and BACP hold are the main registers. I have been om UKCP register since 2006. I was BACP accredited until 2017 and am reapplying now.

As there are so many counsellors and therapists who advertise, I have written some advice on finding the right one for you. Therapy is an unregulated profession and care is advised.

Firstly, always go for someone on the UKCP or BACP register (if you can afford them) or a trainee who is working towards registration (if you cannot). These people have undergone a recognised training and have been rigorously vetted by their training and register provider.

Secondly, arrange to ‘interview’ more than one potential therapist. As you are talking to them, think about a secret you have not told anyone and ask yourself if you would feel confident to tell them when you know them better.

Thirdly, try not to tell a therapist everything too soon as often people get embarrassed and find it hard to come back. Decide if you want to work with them.

Fourthly, do not worry about their modality, as all outcome research shows that the relationship is where the healing is.

And finally, say no thanks or contract for an initial time limited contract of, say, eight to ten sessions to see if you could work with them. Usually, it takes only four or five sessions for you to know. Please, trust your gut!

I practice both in person and remotely. Most clients use a mixture of both types of therapy.

My in-person work occurs in central Cardiff. I am currently based at the Therapy and Coaching Souk at 54 Charles Street, CF10 2GF (TSC@54). No waiting room is available.

For remote work I use Zoom. I will give you your own unique recurring zoom link.

For established clients, I offer walking therapy, mainly in parks around Cardiff.

I have a sliding scale from £60 to £85 per session. As my client you self-select the fee according to what is affordable.

I do not charge for agreed absences and holidays, but I do charge for cancellation within seven days.

I offer a concessionary place, where the payment is agreed and paid by standing order into my business account monthly.

1. Therapy sessions are 50 minutes long.

2. Invoices are available on request.

3. I have insurance which requires me to keep short notes with no third-party information.

4. I comply with ICO 2018 Data Protection Regulations.

5. I am subject to the UKCP Code of Ethics and Central Complaints Procedure.