Geraldine Dufour

I am an experienced therapist with a warm, caring, open and direct approach.

I have an active, therapeutic practice focusing on solutions and strategies to understand and address personal issues and problems. My therapeutic background is based on a psychodynamic and psychoanalytic model, which means that I am interested in how our past and mental processes affect us.

I started training as a therapist over 30 years ago at Nottingham University, hold an MA from Birmingham University from a BACP accredited course as well as a Post-Graduate Certificate in Alcohol & Drugs Interventions in Practice. I have continued to update my practice through numerous training and courses and am fully trained to provide therapy online.

I have an extensive range of therapeutic experience, having worked in diverse agencies providing therapy for survivors of sexual violence, young people, addiction services, and university counselling services as well as private practice.

Some people come to see me having identified a clear issue in their lives, while others arrive not being sure is troubling them.

I am fully qualified as a therapist, hold Senior Registered Accredited Member status with BACP, abide by its code of practice and engage in regular CPD and supervision.

I live in Cambridge and offer therapy online for people based in the UK.

If you’re looking for a caring, qualified and experienced therapist, do get in touch to book an appointment. I can help you explore and understand the issues you are facing, and seek solutions that work for you and help to make things more manageable.

I have worked with hundreds of university staff and students, and helped many people with issues related to work, performance, studies, as well as workplace and professional development. 

Adjusting to transitions, imposter syndrome, self-belief in a professional context, assertiveness, starting or finishing university, developing a professional self, reaching career goals, finding a work/life balance, preparing for retirement.

Having lived in different countries, and worked with international staff and students, I have supported many people with issues related to cultural identity: adjusting to life in the UK, settling in a new country, living as an expat, working in a different culture.

My first session will be built around the needs of each particular clients and the issues that they bring to therapy and to their first session. 

I am registered as a therapist with:

-  AXA

- Vitality 

- Aviva.

Training helps us to develop our confidence and abilities throughout our career

I have a real passion for training. Over the past 30 years, I have designed and facilitated many different types of training for a variety of audiences and settings. I skilfully facilitate workshops, seminars and lectures and deliver keynote speeches at conferences. I receive very positive feedback from participants, who report that they find me knowledgeable, clear, and responsive to their needs as an audience.

I have a global outlook having worked with international audiences, participants and lived in different countries. I have listed below the types of workshops and groups that I routinely deliver:

Psycho-educational workshops 

Personal development 

Professional development 

Bespoke trainings for college senior tutors at Cambridge University

Teaching on professional trainings for therapists and university staff

Providing culturally competent support services, working with difference and diversity

Improving self-care and resilience

Mental wellbeing: challenges and guidance

Many addiction related topics

Variety of mental health and communication trainings

I offer a wide range of training in psychotherapy, personal and professional development, cross-cultural work, or wellbeing in organisations face-to-face or online.

If you have a particular training need in mind, please do contact me so I can create something bespoke to the needs of your organisation.

Training provided for: Cambridge University and Colleges, Westminster Briefing, Understanding ModernGov, Westminster Higher Education Forum seminar, New Gov…

Speaking at: Advance HE, UKCISA, AMOSSHE, AUCCCD (USA), The Cambridge MindEd Trust Conference, China-UK International Symposium, BACP Research Conference, SPR European Conference, Smarten…

Universities and Colleges

I was the head of the university counselling service at Cambridge University for over 7 years and worked in universities for over 20 years. I can deliver welfare, wellbeing, or student mental health related trainings to students or staff in your institutions. From listening skills for tutors, managing professional boundaries, responding to sexual assault disclosures, reflective practice groups for welfare staff, or bespoke trainings for senior tutors.

I am a visiting professor at Tongji and Fudan universities in Shanghai and lectured at Leicester and Birmingham Universities and contribute to national research in student counselling, mental health and wellbeing.

In addition, I am the past chair of BACP Universities and Colleges Division and HUCS ( heads of University Counselling Services). 

You can view a list of selected publications and talks on my research page:

https://www.geraldinedufour.com/researchwritingconference 

Online Supervision and reflective practice

Supervision enables us to reflect on our work, improve our professional practice and demonstrate our commitment to ethical practice

I started working as a supervisor in 2003 and qualified as a supervisor with the University of Leicester in 2007. Since then, I have worked with many individuals and groups.

My supervision practice includes working with:

- trainee therapists on professional courses at Leicester and Birmingham Universities

- experienced therapists working in different counselling sectors

- mental health professionals (mental health nurses, occupational health therapists and social workers)

In addition, I have facilitated reflective practice spaces for:

- tutors, nurses and others in the helping, teaching, and social care professions.

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As former Head of Counselling at the University of Cambridge I held clinical accountability for the work of the service and oversaw the provision of psychological support for the collegiate university, leading a team of over 40 counsellors, CBT therapists, university sexual harassment and assault advisor and mental health advisors.

Universities and Colleges

I can offer specialist university and college online:

- clinical supervision for your therapists

- reflective practice for your college nurses, tutors, welfare staff

- clinical consultations on challenging situations