Chris Gaylon
Integrative psychotherapistAbout Me
Welcome
Overwhelmed or struggling to cope with anxiety and depression around relationship difficulties or work stress? I can help. I have spent more than 15+ years working with people and carers when their lives have become unmanageable. I offer in person as well as online sessions.
We are all relational people
Life is about relationships – with ourselves and others (either at home or work), or with our past, current, and future experiences. Relationships can be nurturing and rewarding.
But
Sometimes life events, such as separation and divorce, workplace stress, or job loss, can be difficult to successfully handle alone. We may disconnect to avoid a situation or turn to alcohol and other addictions when we feel hurt or betrayed in our relationships.
The most important relationship is with yourself. It sets the tone for every relationship you have.
So how do your feel about it?
I am an experienced integrative counselling psychotherapist and relationship well‑being coach. I can work with you to help find a way through from where you presently are.
How can I help?
I work face-to-face or online with adults, like you, who are ready to embrace change in their lives, or who are currently experiencing anxiety or worry with life’s challenges.
I focus on the practicalities and the emotional side of behaviours in all aspects of relating.
How I work
My key purpose is to facilitate, encourage and support your self-examination and self-reflection within The Caring Conditions. This often allows individuals to understand how the past can influence their current feelings and behaviours.
Your choice and the counselling process
If you choose to work with me, our weekly sessions will be held in a safe and confidential place. The Caring Conditions means you will be empathetically heard and understood, and I will support you in gaining new perspectives, greater insight, and self-awareness. You will then have a greater understanding of the way you connect in relationships.
At your pace, and by trusting the process, we can explore any unresolved conflicts or previous traumas and their consequences. I encourage the genuine expression and validation of painful feelings which you might have unsuccessfully been trying to solve, ignore or avoid through destructive behaviours for some time. Together we can create a space for growth, assisting you to make new and positive nourishing choices and giving you back greater control of daily life.
As an integrative psychotherapist and relationship well‑being coach, I draw on several different therapeutic approaches, finding the best combination which works for you.
What to expect from our first meeting
The decision to start counselling is an important one and requires your commitment and consistency. Our first session is a time to ask any questions and an opportunity to talk openly about what brings you to therapy. It is also an opportunity to see if working with me will be helpful and how we can work together. During this session, I will clarify practicalities such as the time of sessions and fees.
Issues often worked with
Types of therapy
Therapy offered
Client groups
Fees
Short-term and long-term therapy and coaching is available
Sessions take 50 minutes and are charged as follows:
- Individuals £70
- Couples £100
I require at least 48 hours’ notice should you need to cancel an appointment.
I offer a limited number of concessionary sessions at a reduced daytime rate of £45 for those on low income or students.
Training and qualifications
Training and qualifications
My qualifications
- BTEC Professional Diploma
- NCFE Level 3 Award in Counselling Skills and Theory
- BTEC HNC Graphic Design
- NCFE Diploma in Sports Psychology
- B Ed (Hons)
Additional training
- Working with Anxiety and Depression in the Counselling Relationship
- Management of Stimulants/ Club Drugs
- New Psychoactive Substances Training and Medical Cannabis
- Abuse, Trauma, and Attachment
- Couples Therapy
- Mindfulness Training
- Positive Outcomes for Dissociative Survivors including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD (PODS)
- Motivational Interviewing Training
- Post Traumatic Growth and Addiction. Prodependence in Relationships.
- Alcohol Concern Family Training
- Working with Clients with Co-morbid Substance Misuse and Mental Health Issues
- Sex Addiction and Couples
- 12 Steps and Sex / Love Addiction
- Understanding Co-dependency and Pro -Dependency
- Understanding and Recognising Sex Addiction, Working with Sex Addiction, Training in Trauma, Sex and Love Addiction. Pornography use.
- Understanding the Assessment, Treatment, and Diagnosis of Sex Addiction (Hypersexual Disorders) in the Digital Age
- Cruise Control: The Assessment and Treatment of Gay Male Sex Addicts
- Autism Neurotypical and Neurodiverse Relationships and Partnerships
My experience
In addition to my private practice, I have previously volunteered for the Addiction Support and Care Agency (ASCA) Counselling Service, Kingston, for those suffering from alcoholism, substance misuse, and behavioural addictions, and people who are caring for, or coming to terms with, somebody else's drug or alcohol abuse. I have also worked with people attending Catalyst Drug & Alcohol Services.
I have previously worked as a 1-2-1 wellness coach at a Elmbridge mental health charity, Wellness with a Goal (WWAG), which bases its services on six pillars of well‑being: people, movement, mindfulness, giving, learning, and flow.
I have worked with people around issues such as:
- Anxiety and depression
- Job loss, stress, and redundancy
- Relationship issues, including many forms of abuse and domestic violence, separation, and divorce
- Being a carer /partner or adult child of addict or substance misuser
Member of the BACP and Addiction Professionals
I am a registered member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) and the Addiction Professionals AP ( previously FDAP). I adhere to the BACP Ethical Framework and the AP Code of Practice.
Verified professional membership
