Ginny Bates

I work on Mondays 9-6, Tuesdays 2-9and Wednesdays 6-9pm

I am a humanistic, integrative practitioner with over 25 years post qualifying experience; 13 working in primary care in the NHS. Whilst my values and approach are underpinned by person centred therapy, I have integrated skills from a wide range of therapies, to enable me to work holistically. I have a special interest in Narrative therapy. Please see my website for more information. I work with anyone working with anxiety and depression, stress and loss. I  specialise in trauma work, I am happy to work short or long term. I am an EMDR therapist in training with the EMDR Academy. I  work with childhood trauma, emotional, physical, sexual abuse and neglect and adult children of emotionally immature or narcissistic parents.

 I can help you resolve longstanding difficulties with depression, low self esteem and anxiety, panic, perfectionism and imposter syndrome.  In todays culture we are constantly comparing ourselves to others, and encouraged to value ourselves in terms of productivity, beauty or financial success, I will invite you to honour your intrinsic worth as a human being. I believe many of us struggle to find joy and fulfilment in life as we are disconnected from our feelings, seeking safety  in our intellect. I will work with you to trust yourself, and to reconnect  your head  heart and gut to live a more embodied and content life.

I work both face to face and online from Enso Healing Rooms;  190 Cheltenham road BS6 5RB . Enso is a martial art shop  and has therapy rooms to the back. There is metered on street parking check signage for details.

I am a highly experienced therapist who will offer you a personalized therapy experience. 

I have worked therapeutically with people from all walks of life for my entire working life. 

I am committed to ongoing personal and professional training to ensure that my practice benefits from current best practice.

In 2022 I consolidated my knowledge and skills base around trauma focused work by undertaking a Certificate in Trauma Focused Therapy.

I trained in working online at the start of the pandemic.

I now offer both online and in person work to suit you’re preferences.

I have thirteen years experience working in the NHS as a counsellor. 

I am committed to anti-oppressive , anti-racist practice.

I seek to work intersectionally, respecting difference  and an ally of the lgbtqiap+ community. I am neurodivergent affirming.

I  am an  EMDR therapist in training with the EMDR Academy UK.

For more information about me and the way I work please do have a look at my website www. Ginnybates.com

I offer a free 20m video or phone call for us to get a sense of whether I am the right therapist for you. In my experience hearing someone's voice and or seeing them quickly gives you the information you need. You can ask me any questions you have and I can ask about what you are looking for from counselling  and describe what I have to offer. We can think about your expectations of counselling and what the process of changing might be like.

If you wish to we can then book an initial appointment in which we can explore what brings you to therapy in more depth and discuss how long we might work together. I will help you describe what you want to get out of therapy (your goals) , sometimes people come with very clear goals and sometimes this emerges through the early work. 

I will ask you some questions about your life up to now. What your strategies are for coping,  what is supporting you and what is difficult. I will help you identify your strengths and resources and explore how you have been trying to resolve your problems to date. Often by the time people come for help they have a very problem saturated story of their lives and I find its helpful to talk about the times when things have been less difficult and to identify if there are things that you are happy with and wish to continue in your life.

In a very individualistic culture I like to explore the socio-political context of our lives, the limitations, constraints and opportunities that that affords. We are all equal but we are not all the same.

 I bring to the therapy myself, skills, knowledge, expertise and experience to offer you in a safe confidential space. 

What direction therapy  takes will be something we work out together as we go forward at a pace you are comfortable with.

If any of this sounds of interest do contact me to arrange an initial appointment.