Guyonne James

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Counselling with Guyonne James

Counselling sessions focus on whatever issue you are struggling with in that moment. This could be exploring unresolved issues from the past, painful family relationships or overcoming trauma. We work together to understand better where these issues may limit your ability to live a full and rich life and focus on your potential to make changes.

It is important to me that I recognise your personal potential and support you in charting a meaningful path in life, as well as working with early blueprints and historical influences that have kept you stuck.

How we work together

I am a transpersonal, integrative counsellor, which just means that, although I trained in Psychosynthesis counselling, I use a variety of therapeutic techniques to help you explore the challenges and troubles that brought you into counselling.

Some key areas are:

Anxiety, low mood and stress:

We all get anxious at times, but if you are suffering from constant feelings of anxiety, fearful thoughts or overwhelm, life can feel unbearably out of your control. You may be experiencing stress at work, family drama or you may be struggling to leave behind a past trauma. Or you may have lived with anxiety all your life.

I would explore with you what lies behind the anxiety and help you understand better what is going on. We would work on techniques to help you manage your responses and move forwards with more confidence and self-belief.  

Climate anxiety and despair

Constant news of conflict, wars and a growing climate crisis can cause a sense of despair and foreboding as the world around us seems increasingly insecure and the future dark. Even if this is not the reason you are coming to counselling, a feeling that the world is unravelling around you can increase inner turmoil.

If this is you, then talking through your fears can help ground you and make sense of your place in the world. Counselling gives you the breathing space to fully express your fears, grief and anger while the focus is on nurturing an inner resilience and building resources.

Identity, belonging and cultural diversity

Have you always felt alone or just different? Are you struggling with differing or even competing cultural/social backgrounds that leave you adrift and disconnected. You may have experienced prejudice, conflict and discrimination that has left you isolated and questioning your place in the world.  

We would work together to understand the full richness of who you are and examine the inner conflicts that leave you confused and develop a level of self-acceptance that enables you to celebrate what you alone can bring to the world.

Bereavement, grief and loss

The pain we feel when we losing someone we love can be overwhelming. It can feel as though life has changed forever.  It is normal to feel anger, guilt, depression and even physical pain.  Grief and loss can include the loss of community, career or health.  

Talking through painful feelings of grief and loss in counselling can be key to finding new meaning in life.  Grief counselling helps you understand what you are experiencing and supports you to develop all important coping strategies.

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A little more about me and the experience I bring to my work

I have thirty years’ experience of working with people of all ages and cultural backgrounds in social justice environments and higher education settings. I have been a Lecturer in Global Justice and Sustainability for many years and before that I worked as a Programme Manager for a human rights charity and a social justice activist.

My work has involved me in human rights awareness and mediating cultural inequality issues. I have worked with individuals, groups and communities to foster healing and positive change. The insights I gained from this work inform my counselling and has given me an immense compassion and a deep respect for difference and the human spirit.

I welcome and I am open to explore all experiences and issues of identity and difference, whether that be gender related, sexuality related or feelings of cultural isolation and disconnection.

As well as running my private practice I still lecture and organise climate anxiety cafes with students. I work with a local charity offering free and low-cost counselling in Islington and I am also a volunteer mentor with Refugee Education UK, where I support young people to achieve their educational goals.

Areas I work with:

I work with whatever struggles and fears you bring. These may include:

• Anger and conflict management
• Anxiety and panic
• Bereavement, grief and loss
• Climate anxiety and despair
• Couples therapy
• Depression and feelings of hopelessness
• Family dynamics and conflict
• Gender and Sexual Diversity
• Living with a disability, long-term health problems, or terminal illness
• Relationship Challenges
• Self-Esteem and confidence
• Stress
• Survivors of Abuse and Trauma
• Work-related issues

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Qualifications, Training and Professional Experience:

I am BACP registered and have a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychosynthesis Counselling.

I am also trained in:

• Transpersonal & Integrative Couple Facilitation Training
• Defining Gender, Sex and Relationship Diversity Therapy

l have an MA in International Politics and an Msc in Sustainability from my professional life in systemic change, community empowerment and social justice.

I have also completed trainings in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, Facilitation, Professional Leadership and Social Auditing.

I hold a clear, enhanced DBS.

Professional Body:

I am a registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Additionally, my work is supervised by a qualified supervisor and Accredited member of BACP and UKCP.

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Contact:

Please call or email me to organise an exploratory session. It is really important that you find the right counsellor for you, someone who can support you in the way you need to be supported. I recommend an initial session to give you a feel for how I work and to see whether we are a good match. A full 50 minute session will give you a deeper understanding of our relationship and how you can move forward.

If you are ready to get started then call me or email me on:-

07753 603300
guyonne@hotmail.co.uk

Rates:

Individual
£50 session for a 50 minute exploratory session
£75 for a 50 minute session

Couples
£95 for a 50 minute session

Sessions:

Psychotherapy sessions at Barnsbury Therapy Space:
Tuesday
Directions to Barnsbury Therapy Space