Stuart Gibson

I provide focused, short-term counselling and in-depth, long-term therapy. I work online, on the phone and at comfortable consulting rooms in Farringdon. I offer dedicated support to people facing challenges and can help treat most emotional and psychological difficulties. I work with adults of all ages, cultural backgrounds, genders and sexual orientations.

The relationship between counsellor and client (or therapist and patient) is a key element of the treatment I offer. My demeanour is warm, empathic and supportive. For some people, I simply provide a much-needed opportunity to be heard and understood.

Mindful of boundaries, I offer a safe, confidential and reliable space in which people can talk openly about themselves so as to help them understand what might have contributed to their problems. Exploring emotions, thoughts, dreams, memories, behaviour and relationships can help people to change the way they respond to situations. I aim to assist this process by being curious and attentive to links and patterns.

My approach is based on the understanding that difficult experiences in the past can continue to affect the way we feel and behave in the present. Applying psychodynamic, attachment, humanistic and cognitive concepts and methods, I address both the causes and the symptoms of emotional and psychological distress.

Alongside my private practice, I have worked as a psychotherapist in the NHS, employed by Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust. I have also worked as a Dynamic Interpersonal Therapist at Queenswood Medical Practice in Haringey.

I have worked as a counsellor in the charity sector for Waterloo Community Counselling and the Multi-Ethnic Counselling Service. I have provided counselling for students at London South Bank University. I also have over thirty years’ experience of working with alcoholics, addicts and their families and my approach is compatible with Twelve Step recovery.

Before my career change to Counselling and Psychotherapy, I was a senior manager in Advertising, Marketing and Media. I have since participated in Group Relations Conferences and I am qualified to offer interpretations of organisational and group dynamics.

I am a Member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy and abide by its Ethical Framework. I am registered on the Accredited Voluntary Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists, approved by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care.

I am also a registered member of the British Psychoanalytic Council, the Association of Psychodynamic Counsellors and the Association of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy in the NHS.

I first trained at Birkbeck College, University of London. My qualifications are BACP accredited:

MSc in Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy - incorporating Organisational Dynamics

Certificate of Higher Education in Counselling and Counselling Skills - incorporating Cognitive Behavioural Therapy , Humanistic (Person-Centred) Therapy and Psychodynamic Counselling

I then trained in Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy at the Anna Freud Centre in collaboration with the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust.

I also trained in Mentalization-Based Treatment at the Anna Freud Centre in collaboration with University College London.

I respond to enquiries within one working day and I can usually offer a session within a week. I start with an initial consultation where the reasons for seeking help are discussed. Some background information is always useful too. This appointment gives both parties a chance to get a sense of compatibility and there is no obligation to continue working together. When an agreement is reached to move forward in principle, I recommend a treatment plan, which will either be for six sessions, sixteen sessions or open-ended therapy.

Once the specific terms have been confirmed, the work can begin, usually in the form of weekly, 50-minute sessions held at the same time and place every week. Towards the end of each course of treatment, there is an opportunity to review progress and consider either committing to a deeper treatment plan or working towards an agreed ending.