Chris Gameson - Integrative Therapist: Forest Hill: SE23
About the Therapist
Hello, I'm Chris (he/him). I'm a BACP-Registered, Integrative therapist. This means I - or rather we - author a therapeutic journey unique to you. I work collaboratively; we will arrive at goals, focuses and therapeutic approaches together, plus we'll intermittently review and tweak these as needed. My ultimate aim is to equip you with a bespoke self-therapeutic toolkit to better navigate life's challenges. I draw on a variety of therapeutic theory and technique - from the psychodynamic, the humanistic and the behaviourist domains. We may choose to work on issues manifesting in the present or explore those located more in your past; or a dynamic synergy of the two. Initially, we may be working with more emphasis on coping strategies; creating space for you to engage with and better regulate pressing feelings of overwhelm, depression or anxiety and the impacts of trauma. I am especially experienced in raising awareness of and facilitating movement towards clients' creatively embracing all of the many possibilities at-hand (whilst exploring the recurrent obstacles to doing so). I work partly with Gestalt Therapy techniques (including Sand Tray work - in-person) to this end. Likewise, I work with the 'wisdom of the body'; we/you can often gain insight from what bodily sensation is conveying where language may be failing. I also work with Mindfulness-based, Narrative and CBT/MBCT techniques. I have experience of working with clients around: Depression / Anxiety / Trauma / Abuse / Relationships / Identity / Sexuality / Chemsex / Kinks / Illness / Ageing / Grief / Loneliness / 'Stuckness'.
- Gay
- Other
You can read more about me and my approach to counselling here: www.unusual-uses.co.uk Qualifications: I hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Integrative Counselling & Psychotherapy from the University of East London. I also have a Postgraduate Certificate in Psychodynamic & Humanistic Counselling & Psychotherapy from Goldsmiths, University of London. I also hold a Certificate in Introduction to Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy from the Oxford Mindfulness Centre, University of Oxford. In relation to my prior career, I have an MSc in Human-computer Interaction & Ergonomics from University College London and a BA (Hons) in Fine Art from Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design, London. I am constantly evolving my counselling practice via both informal and formal training. I am particularly interested in the intersections of psychotherapeutic theory, practice and social justice/activism. I am also training to work with couples in early 2024.
| Award | Awarding body | Year of award |
|---|---|---|
I have worked since 2020 with clients (who have spanned 18 - 68 years of age) at Terrence Higgins Trust (THT). My clients have presented with various issues, though with some emphasis on identity, sexuality and relationships - sometimes including aspects of being recently diagnosed / living with HIV. Likewise, many of my clients have experienced trauma - from childhood up to the present day - which informs present-day challenges. As such I work in a trauma-informed way; approaching trauma sensitively, at the right pace for each individual. Prior to working with clients at THT, I worked as a bereavement counsellor with a hospice in Hackney, East London. Since April 2023, I have also been working in private practice online and in-person in East London. I have a background as an artist and a designer/researcher; having worked in the service design arena (with Nokia, Samsung & BBC) for nearly 3 decades. I bring an artistic (ever curious, unorthodox) whilst pragmatic (ethical, user-centered, goal-focused) ethos to my work as a counsellor.
- Art therapy
- Body psychotherapy
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Existential
- Gestalt
- Humanistic
- Integrative
- Narrative therapy
- BDSM | Kink
- Bi- | Pansexual
- Consensual non-monogamy
- Gay
- Neurodivergent
- Non-binary | Genderqueer
- Queer
- Questioning
- Trans
- One to one
- No adaptation
- Adults
- Online
- In Person
I charge £80 per 50 minute session (online and in-person). I do offer some concessionary rates - please ask me about this. Drop me a line or call if you have any questions.
