Please note that I use the words "counselling" & "counsellor", "psychotherapeutic counselling" & "psychotherapeutic counsellor", "psychotherapy" & "psychotherapist", and also "talking therapy" & "talking therapist" interchangeably. I am experienced & accredited in these and I am happy to discuss their meanings with you. Misspellings of the words "counsellor" & "counselling" are numerous. Many people use the American spellings "counselor" & "counseling" – with a single "L". Other common terms include "councillor" & "councilling, alongside their American equivalents "councilor" & "counciling", which do not relate to counselling and are terms used for local authorities, eg LB Camden, London, etc.
Counselling in London Central, Camden
Why People Seek Counselling
Counselling provides a safe, confidential space for you to talk about what's going on for you at the moment, any struggles or challenges, unresolved issues, setbacks, wounds, or a part of you, you hold back. Counselling explores your desired changes, options, choices, aspirations, any existential concerns, or being at a turning point. Counselling may offer a different view, feedback or guidance, opportunities to develop a greater understanding of who you are & make sense of your l i f e. Counselling explores in depth not only the symptoms, but also your core issues, the causes, and what these might mean. The counselling considers, and helps crystallize, your thoughts & f e e l i n g s, what matters to you, the known & unknown aspects of you. Counselling can be a sounding board for you to be heard, listened to, say things which are difficult to say, explore a part of you, which you just don't get, or to make connections. Alongside the current issues you bring to counselling, we may look at what you really want and what stops you getting there so far, using counselling as a journey of s e l f-discovery.
You may seek counselling because of a current difficulty which doesn’t seem to go away or continues to consume you. You may have a problem that is beginning to weigh you down, which can’t be patched up or where "getting on with it" no longer works. Things may have been gnawing away at us for long enough, and can no longer be brushed under the carpet. Something might be missing & you may struggle to put your finger on what it is. Things might have come to a head, something may not be working, you may f e e l stuck, confused or lost, wanting your own anchor or l i f e compass, to get you back on track, in the way you want. Spending much time in your head, struggling to switch off, or consistently worrying about things, you may be seeking peace of mind or f e e l more at ease (see Our Thoughts & Beliefs). You may f e e l successful, yet f e e l empty inside. You may f e e l under pressure about something important. Sometimes things can become too much for us. You may no longer want to ignore a difficulty or struggle with an unavoidable phase of your l i f e or relationship. You may seek courage to try new things & ways to overcome your fears, or loosen any layers of protection. Some of us may struggle with putting the handbrakes on, whereas others may want to loosen them (see Our Resilience, Hardiness & Protecting Our Personal Boundaries). You may want to change how you behave. You may want to be more in tune or trusting of who you are – your authentic f e e l i n g s. A part of your l i f e may f e e l messy & you may be seeking a sense of order. You may want to be more prepared or equipped to respond to the rollercoaster of l i f e's ups & downs, f e e l relaxed, stable, secure or want to let go of certain things. You may want to f e e l settled, move on. You may want to understand how you might contribute to any difficulties – the obstacles you put in the way, and seek help in overcoming them. You may want to take stock or do some soul searching. You may be seeking coping mechanisms (e.g. to reduce or tolerate any anxiety, tension or inner pain), resilience, resources, different tools, frameworks or healthy ways to relieve pressures. You may fear exposing your "real" nature out in the world, yet at the same time want to, and the counselling can work at your own pace with this.
In the beginning my central role as a counsellor is to get to know you, understand who you are, why you have come, why you are the way you are, what you might need. I usually ask a lot of questions to find out about you now, your issues, a little about your past, to find out how counselling can help.
In the counselling I value each person's uniqueness and respond in an individual way to your circumstances, and at the same time appreciate the interconnectedness of what we human beings hold in common - that beneath our differences are fundamental shared experiences & central concepts, that creativity, the human heart and suffering are universal. I welcome, value and respect people's diversity. My experience includes working with men or women, old or young, who are straight, bisexual, lesbian or gay, white, black or mixed race, of many nationalities and cultures, those who are religious, hold spiritual beliefs, atheist or agnostic. What I have found clients value the most is f e e l i n g comfortable with the counsellor.
More about why people may seek counselling...
Counselling in London Central, Camden
Issues People Bring to Counselling
People come to counselling with an infinite range of issues (for a detailed list of issues & symptoms refer to Issues & Transitions In Our Lives). These may include:
- Relationship Counselling & Marriage Guidance, commitment issues, co-dependency
- Anger management
- S e l f-criticism, -esteem, -confidence, -doubt, -image, -worth
- Guilt & shame
- Stress, fear (e.g. of conflict or rejection), panic, nerves, anxiety or panic attacks
- L i f e transition, change or crisis
- Confusion
- Being in our head (see Not Knowing)
- Depression
- Difficult or overwhelming feelings, emotions, e.g. frustration, disappointment
- Inner pain or hurt
- Needing a sense of belonging
- Inner Loneliness
- Adjusting to living in London
- Releasing o u r s e l v e s & letting go
- Assertiveness or motivation concerns
- Our resilience & protecting our personal boundaries
- Integration of work & life: employment, job, office, work, career, redundancy, burnout (employers see also Workplace Counselling Services)
- Bullying
- Men's central issues
- Ageing, retirement issues
- Trauma
- Alcohol, internet pornography, computer games, exercise & other addictions & habits, e.g. work, love addiction
- Childhood issues, wounds
- Child, physical, sexual, emotional abuse
- Grief, Bereavement
- Dreaming: interpretation & making sense of dreams
- Insomnia, sleep problems
- Struggles with taking responsibility in certain areas
- Sexual difficulties, sexuality
- Spirituality
- Existential struggles, midlife crisis
- Meaning, purpose, direction in the world
Other issues or concerns counselling can help with...
When we overcome difficulties in one aspect, we may have more resources for addressing problems in other aspects.
Counselling in London Central, Camden
The Counselling Considers
Counselling in London Central, Camden
My Counselling Approach, Philosophy & Style Of Practice
Focus of Counselling The counselling focuses on you - your own internal world, what’s happening inside you, rather than external circumstances, which may be difficult to change or cure. The counselling includes finding out how you’ve arrived at this point in your l i f e now, what influences you, what is helpful and what is no longer helpful. We all have our own unique structures: the way we think, f e e l & behave. We experience the same situations differently. My role as a counsellor is to find out what it’s like to be you & mirror back what I notice in you, checking if this resonates & fits, helping you to be clearer about any decisions you want to make.
Working at your own pace I aim to bring clarity, creativity & sensitivity to my work with warmth, humour & maturity. With my passionate beliefs of s e l f-determination & responsibility, I offer fresh insight in an affirming, supportive & jargon-free way, checking with you if what I’m saying, resonates & fits. Having an impartial perspective in the counselling I usually work both intuitively & with knowledge, experience & understanding of your central problems & difficulties. My approach includes not only finding ways to help reduce symptoms, but also to explore with you what your l i f e means to you, your potential & any unrealised possibilities. I will not only be curious about what’s happening for you, but also about
how you respond to events. I am interested in your own principles, and less so your rationalisations. I value the humanity in us all, and acknowledge your resources & strengths alongside your limitations & vulnerabilities.
Flexible Approach Counselling is not a medical treatment, panacea, or an exact science. I recognise that no single form of therapy is best or adequate in every situation. Therefore I do not hold a "one size fits all" or "tick box" approach, nor claim to know all the answers. No one approach holds the truth or explains the complexities of each person. A single theory cannot match every human being’s needs & solve all problems. There is usually no quick fix or easy formula. What works for some may not work for others. We are unique, having our own personality, circumstances, needs, strengths, weaknesses & struggles. No one is a stereotype - we are infinitely complex, full of mystery, with many possibilities. My experience tells me that what matters is the relationship between counsellor & client - how the two of us relate together in the counselling, less so the style of the therapy.
Affirming Approach In order to explore what’s happening in their lives, people tend to prefer a relational, interpersonal approach, allowing things to emerge during the counselling process. Some people seek reassurance, feedback, gentle guidance or authentic challenge. Others benefit from a more cognitive, technical style of therapy and a targeted counselling program can be offered to meet this need. My affirming approach is to be alongside you, and the issues you bring to counselling, so the choices you make, enrich rather than limit you.
More about my counselling approach, philosophy & style of practice...
Counselling in London Central, Camden
My Background In Counselling
My Experience I am a male counsellor and psychotherapist. In my practice I bring together over 25 years experience of working with people at points of change in their lives, various types of crises & transitions, both in the voluntary sector and privately. I have realised that deep and lasting change is possible at any stage. I value listening to people’s l i f e stories and acknowledge & aspire to share what I have learnt from others.
My Qualifications My interest in counselling developed in 1982. I have completed 5 years in-depth & practical training in psychosynthesis counselling & psychotherapy at The Institute of Psychosynthesis in London validated by The Middlesex University in London, drawn to it because it was described as a psychology of the soul. I have the following qualifications: Diploma in Counselling, Diploma in Psychotherapy & MA in Psychotherapy.
My counselling training combined the physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, and spiritual aspects of a person and help me gain a broader understanding of myself and others. I realised that some things come naturally to us and other things need to be learnt.
My integrative approach gives me a broad counselling knowledge, including Humanistic, Psychospiritual, Transpersonal Psychosynthesis models and others. I also hold psychodynamic context and am able to offer CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) counselling techniques if required. My experience and training as a counsellor includes working creatively with a range of approaches & strategies.
My Continued Professional Development I undertake continuing professional counselling development & training in order to enhance my knowledge & experience, and be informed of advancement in the counselling field.
Counselling in London Central, Camden
Counsellor Accreditation
Accountable to their codes of practice & ethics, as a fully qualified counsellor & psychotherapist I hold registration with the central UK counselling & psychotherapy professional and regulatory bodies, namely:
- British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) - a national body of psychotherapists, counsellors, and psychologists - I am a Member & Accredited BACP Counsellor
- United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) - a central London based national body of psychotherapists & psychologists - I am an Accredited UKCP Psychotherapist
- National Council of Psychotherapists (NCP) - a national association of psychotherapists in private practice - I am a registered member of NCP
- Association of Humanistic Psychology Practitioners (AHPP) – a central London based organisation of humanistic psychotherapists, counsellors & psychologists - I am an Affiliate Member of AHPP
Counselling in London Central, Camden
Counselling Suitability
The counselling service I offer is not suitable for:
- Couples
- People with severe mental health problems
- People who are suicidal
- Individuals who are unwilling to address their acute alcohol or drug problem
Counselling in London Central, Camden
Contacting Counsellor
Telephone To arrange an initial introductory meeting for Counselling (in central London, Camden Town), telephone Glen Gibson on 020 7916 1342. If no one is available to speak to you, please leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Email If you are contacting me by email: glen@glengibson.co.uk, it would help if you said a little about why you are seeking counselling & your central issues.
Referrals If I am unable to see you or you would prefer to see a counsellor closer to you, I am able to put you in touch with other Counsellors throughout London.
Counselling in London Central, Camden
Initial Counselling Meeting
Entering into counselling can be bewildering at first, with a confusing number of professional counselling bodies, modalities & jargon, and I will do my best to respond to any questions. Starting counselling is an important step and becomes a commitment for both of us.
During the initial counselling meeting I will want to hear about your situation & why you have come in order to assess your central needs. By the end of this initial session, if counselling is suitable and we f e e l comfortable working together, further booked counselling sessions can be arranged. If this is not the case, or Camden is unsuitable, a discussion will usually take place as to what other alternative therapy or counselling in London may help.
Counselling in London Central, Camden
Central London Counselling Location
Location My Counselling practice is based in central London, Camden Town (find a local Camden map here).
Transport My counselling practice has a range of easily accessible and frequent rail services, tube, bus services to & from Camden. The closest Tube Station is Camden Town on the Northern Line (see Transport For London). Camden Road, King’s Cross & Euston rail stations (visit National Rail) are nearby in the London Borough of Camden.
Parking is available nearby.
