Welcome,
“The human psyche, like human bones, is strongly inclined towards self-healing.” ― John Bowlby
“The human psyche, like human bones, is strongly inclined towards self-healing.” ― John Bowlby
I am passionate about ensuring therapy is accessible, flexible and tailored to each persons individual needs. I have a love of culture and languages having been raised cross culturally in England and Portugal and my interest in psychology started when I was a translator for Street Projects based in Brazil.
I completed my professional training in Integrative Psychotherapy in 2008 and chose this form of therapy as it adopts the view that as human beings we are naturally geared towards self-regulation (balance/wholeness) when the right conditions are in place.
I have predominately worked in the NHS, Well-being services and higher education supporting people who have experienced low mood, depression, worry, anxiety, panic as well as supporting people through relationship challenges such as domestic violence, affairs or divorce. Similarly, I work with grief, work-related difficulties, life transitions such as pregnancy, childbirth and other life changing events. I continue to be in awe of the amazing resilience people connect to at such times. Clients tell me I am compassionate, honest, culturally sensitive and down-to-earth in my approach
Through my career, I have managed therapeutic teams and services supporting trainee counsellors and therapists working towards accreditation. I am a clinical supervisor for individuals and groups and also have trained in online therapy and therapy using the arts (writing, image-making, sandtray).
Areas I have experience and interest in are:
- emotional and psychological well-being
- personal development
- sadness, sense of feeling stuck, lack of motivation and drive to include clinical depression
- physical health, isolation and anxiety
I understand the importance of connection in therapy so do message me to arrange a brief chat.
My physical private practice is based in Peacehaven and Lewes.
I have a face-to-face Thursday morning clinic in Lewes and offer walk-and-talk therapy session on Tuesday mornings in Peacehaven.
My own personal therapy journey has taught me how important it is to get the right fit with a therapist. I offer 25 minute introductory sessions on Tuesday/Thursday afternoons. These are offered via telephone or webcam.
'Apt words have power to swage the tumours of a troubled mind and are a balm to festered wounds'
John Milton
Writing is a tried and tested form of communication. It can take the shape of a letter, an email or a post. Storytelling is as old as culture. Our internal stories/narratives are important . Therapy using writing can externalise our challenges and facilitate dialogue (narrative therapy). Writing in therapy can contain and process intense emotions. It can enable us to re-story - deconstruct/ reconstruct new meaning and rehearse the possible often enabling us to pause and reflect on what is important. It can highlight the cul de sacs of life - our habits or fixed mindsets which can limit our full potential.
Writing in therapy in an approach which will often focus on our use of metaphors which act as containers to intense experiences. Importantly they also indicate possible solutions. I invite exchanges through email (akin to letter writing) or instant message (chat in real time) through an encrypted and confidential platform.
Therapy via telephone offers a space of quiet reflection and natural pauses. I recommend that you secure privacy for sessions. Webcam provide visual cues and more of a physical connection. I have offered both types of sessions since 2016.
I am unable to offer a crisis service and recommend that you contact the Samaritans T. 116123, your GP or 999 if you are in need of more immediate support.
If overseas, please contact Befrienders Worldwide https://www.befrienders.org/
I was raised and educated in England and Portugal and have a love of culture and languages. My passion for psychology was sparked during my translation work for Street Projects in Brazil. This led me to complete a B.Sc in Psychology and subsequently an MA in Integrative Psychotherapy.
I have been fortunate enough to work with a diverse range of people across a vast array of settings to include HMP Prisons, Homeless Charities, NHS Mental Health Services, Wellbeing Clinics, Higher Education and Employee Assistance Programmes.
I am passionate about accessibility of therapy. In 2016, I completed online therapy training and set up my online practice with a focus on emotional/psychological health and wellbeing. This has enabled me to expand my reach to support expats, international clients as well as working professional such as GP's and lawyers.
As an Integrative therapist, I draw on a range of approaches depending on what works best for you. This might include integrating strategies from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy when working with anxiety or panic. The use of Gestalt to explore emotional wellbeing or attachment and psychodynamic approaches to understand how relationships/ patterns of the past impact on behaviour in the here-and-now. Sessions may involve looking back at your personal history to enable future choices; making sense of or processing deep rooted emotions; support to develop relationship/communication skills to improve connections in the here-and-now; or offer more goal orientated strategies such as anxiety management, working with panic to establish/restore a sense of calm/safety in your life.
I am accredited and registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and am a member of the Association for Counselling and Therapy Online. I am fully insured and work to UK legislation.
I offer clinical supervision for counsellors and psychotherapists. Supervision is available in person (Lewes), via webcam, audio or instant message for both groups and individuals. My core qualification is in integrative psychotherapist and I am a qualified online counsellor and hold a Diploma in clinical supervision.
My work is informed by both the developmental model and 7 eyed model of supervision and I am trained to use the arts in therapy which enables me to support therapists using this in their practice i.e. working with metaphor, narrative and the arts.
I adhere to the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions and ACTO Professional Conduct and Code of Ethics.
In-person or online sessions
I am happy to speak with you about best medium for you needs. Options include meeting in person, walk & talk, online (webcam, audio, text or email).
Cancellation fees apply
Andrea Gavin, Psychotherapist - Online Counsellor - Wellbeing Facilitator
Copyright © 2020 Andrea Gavin,