Vincent Gardner

I am available at evenings and weekends.

I work 5 days a week and can be quite flexible with time at present. I offer out of usual working hours sessions to support people with complex working/life commitments.

I work from an Integrative counselling perspective, which means I will meet you where you are in the moment and adapt my approach to suit your individual needs, experiences and circumstances. I don't believe that one theory or approach fits everyone. Instead, I draw on different therapeutic models to find a way of working that feels meaningful and beneficial to you.

For me, the therapeutic relationship is at the heart of safe and effective counselling. Trust doesn't always come easily when life experiences have left us feeling hurt, misunderstood or let down. I believe trust is something we build together, not something you should feel expected to give. We will work at a pace that feels comfortable for you, a space where you can feel safe enough to explore your thoughts, feelings and experiences without fear of judgement.

My approach is person-centred, compassionate and holistic, each person a unique individual, with their own history, challenges, strengths and ways of understanding the world. I am interested not only in what is happening in your life now, but also in understanding the experiences that may have shaped how you feel, think and relate to others.

My experience has particularly focused on addiction, trauma, childhood experiences and the impact of high-control environments, including religious groups. I recognise that what we see on the surface can often be connected to deeper seated experiences of hurt, loss, shame or unmet emotional needs.

I am an Integrative Counsellor with over five years' experience working within the drug and alcohol sector, including 1.5 years’ experience in a residential rehabilitation centre. During this time, I worked with residents facing complex challenges associated with addiction, trauma, loss, shame and difficult life experiences.

My specialist areas include addiction and substance misuse, childhood and developmental trauma, anxiety, depression and the psychological impact of high-control religious groups and cult experiences. I recognise that these experiences are often interconnected and can influence how we see ourselves within relationships and the world in general.

My therapeutic approach draws on Person-Centred Therapy, Transactional Analysis and other integrative models, including Petruska Clarkson's Five Relationship Model. I adapt these approaches to the individual rather than expecting the individual to fit a particular model of therapy.

Starting therapy can feel daunting, so before arranging a first session, we usually begin with a brief introductory telephone call (free of charge) typically 15-20 minutes. This is an opportunity to talk about the circumstances that brought you to therapy, what you hope to gain from it, and any questions you may have. It also gives us both a chance to get a sense of whether working together is a healthy fit.

Our first session is an opportunity to explore what is happening in your life, your current difficulties, relevant background, and what you would like from therapy. Together, we’ll begin to develop a shared understanding of your experiences and consider how we might work together moving forward.

You don’t need to have everything figured out before you begin. Some people arrive with a clear idea of what they want to work on, while others simply have a feeling that something isn't right. Wherever you find yourself, you are welcome.