A BIT ABOUT ME...

I retrained as a counsellor through adult education after spending many years in roles supporting people. Initially, my goal was to improve my listening and communication skills, but this quickly evolved into a rigorous 5-year training period involving study, group work, and clinical placements. Returning to the classroom was challenging—it meant stepping out of my comfort zone and shedding years of baggage. I soon realised that it's never too late to start anew and make meaningful changes.

Learning to reflect on my own experiences as sources of growth, rather than burdens, became a crucial part of my professional toolkit. What I once perceived as weaknesses or flaws became strengths. Seeking help myself no longer felt like a setback. I discovered firsthand how regular meetings in a supportive environment can work wonders for confidence. By raising the bar for myself, my sense of purpose and goals evolved—long story short, here I am today!

The longer I've been in this field, the more I appreciate the deep sense of purpose I feel when forging positive connections with people, even amidst challenging circumstances. Seeking support is a tremendous strength that can be life-changing and even life-saving. Every individual who reaches out and walks through my door has my utmost respect.

Why Choose Me as Your Counsellor?

In my practice, I prioritise a straightforward, jargon-free approach. My aim is to create a genuine, open environment where trust can flourish, allowing us to get to the heart of the matter quickly. You’ll find no judgement here—only support and understanding, with observations offered sensitively and tactfully.

I believe you are the expert on your own life. My role is to help you gain clarity and achieve your goals. Contrary to popular belief, counselling isn’t about giving advice; it’s about exploring options and offering new perspectives. While our sessions may not always be light-hearted, I strive to make you feel relaxed and able to speak freely, even when discussing difficult emotions and thoughts. If you’re still reading, it’s a sign we’re off to a good start.

My approach is flexible, tailored to your specific needs through Integrative Therapy. This method allows me to adapt to your unique situation rather than following a rigid formula. If you’re interested in the theoretical side, particularly Clarkson’s integrative approach, we can delve into that during our sessions.

We’ll move at your pace, with regular opportunities to review your progress and discuss what’s working for you. I encourage open communication and feedback to ensure our work together remains effective.

You can trust that I approach each session with dedication, respect, and professionalism. I value your time and make sure our sessions are meaningful and purposeful. In a world increasingly recognising the importance of mental well-being, seeking support is a sign of strength, self-awareness, and resourcefulness.

What Are the Benefits of Counselling?

Counselling empowers you to become your own therapist. From our first session, we’ll focus on sustainability, ensuring you don’t become dependent on my support. Over time, you’ll expand your toolkit of coping strategies, perspectives, and ways of relating to yourself and the world. You might even need a bigger toolkit!

Simply talking through your concerns and feeling heard can be incredibly therapeutic. Being honest with ourselves helps us stay accountable. The insights and skills you gain can be applied across various aspects of your life, whether it’s improving communication with a partner, at work, or in other relationships.

Counselling can help you identify your needs, manage time more effectively, reduce stress, and improve work-life balance. It also fosters self-acceptance and understanding, helping you see yourself in a new light.

It’s not always about change; sometimes, it’s about acceptance and understanding. If you’ve faced difficult times, approaching your feelings and memories with self-compassion can alleviate shame and manage guilt.

Can Counselling Help with Your Experiences?

Counselling is a deeply personal experience, unique to each individual. No two people share the same journey. Simply being listened to and understood can be profoundly healing. Counselling offers a non-judgemental space to explore ideas, voice opinions, and work things out. In a steady, supportive environment, you can gain clarity, raise self-awareness, or simply have a safe place to express emotions that may be difficult to share elsewhere.

I view your experiences as something to be understood, accepted, or worked through—never reduced to a label or diagnosis. Life is far more complex than that.

Our initial meeting will help us decide if we’re a good fit. If I feel another therapist may be better suited to your needs, I’ll let you know.

Who Do I Work With?

I work exclusively with adults over the age of 18. My clients come from diverse backgrounds, ages, and cultures, each bringing a unique set of experiences. I relish the variety this brings and draw on a wide range of experiences to assist with a broad spectrum of issues. There’s no such thing as a ‘typical’ client in my practice, although the ones who really do well are committed to showing up for themselves and tend to be willing to assume responsibility for the choices they make.

What Next?

If you’ve read this far, you’re likely considering reaching out. Doing so will help me understand your situation and give you a chance to see if I’m the right fit for you. Our initial meeting isn’t a counselling session—you can share as much as you feel comfortable with while giving me an idea of why now feels like the right time to talk. You can also ask questions and get a sense of how I work. If we’re a good match, we’ll agree on a schedule that suits you.

To get in touch, please email contact@garyparsonscounselling.com or via the CONTACT tab above. Alternatively you can call 07724 321830 (confidential answerphone accessed only by myself) to ask any additional questions or arrange an initial meeting.