Amanda Barry

I am a Gestalt Psychotherapist and Clinical Supervisor (BACP Accredited), working in Southampton.

I hold a PG Dip in Gestalt Psychotherapy (Gestalt Centre Wales) and a PG Dip in Supervision of Psychotherapy (Relational Change). I am a trained EMDR therapist (Miribilis Institute).

I am a retired Police Sergeant with nearly 3 decades of experience; specialising in public protection, safeguarding, and the management of officers impacted by trauma (TRiM). I bring a grounded and experienced approach to working with complex and high-risk matters. This background supports my ability to guide you effectively in navigating challenging cases.

I worked as a supervisor at Olive Branch Counselling Service in Winchester from 2023-2025; where are facilitated two separate groups accumulating extensive supervisory experience, supporting therapist in their professional development.

It is my intention to foster a mutual, trusting supervisory relationship in which you can bring your difficulties and issues with confidence.

I use an embodied practice in supervision, being curious about my own and your body processes. This approach supports the client-therapist relationship by bringing awareness to what is happening in the moment. I am dedicated to fostering shame resilience within the supervisory relationship, remaining mindful of the many triggers that can arise within this situational context; such as imposter syndrome, working with embodiment or the potential performative aspects of presenting clients.

I am committed to my own personal and professional development, regularly attending CPD workshops and annual residential training with the Pacific Gestalt Institute; this allows me to consolidate my training and expand my awareness, enabling me to create the conditions of working at relational depth. 

I work with individuals and groups;  in person from my practice room in a separate building in my home in Dibden Purlieu, Southampton or online over Zoom.  Sessions can last for 60 minutes, 90 minutes or 2 hours.

My practice fosters a trusting and collaborative supervisory relationship. I bring an embodied practice that is process orientated, being attentive to mine and your body processes. I create conditions of therapeutic safety, supporting shame resilience.  This approach enables me to support you through working with complexity ,while supporting your growth and development.

I offer a free 30-minute appointment to explore if we are a good fit for each other. 

The first session will be an exploratory contracting meeting; to establish boundaries and the framework for journey ahead. During this initial stage, I will be gathering information such as your experience, qualifications, modality, professional affiliations, current workplace, number of clients, professional development needs, any ongoing personal matters of relevance and your own therapy provision.