Hello
Hello, my name is Shelley Gabb (previously Shelley Peterson).
I am an experienced Bristol-based counsellor, in private practice since 2013, who’s passionate about using my senior accredited counselling skills to help tackle the “stuff” that prevents us from living life to the full.
Informed by my Christian faith, I see every person as uniquely complex and wonderful. I am equally comfortable working with clients of any faith, and those with none. I offer Person-Centred counselling that values the unique therapist-client relationship, and draws from a range of different tools and approaches that are tailored to suit you and your circumstances.
My Qualifications
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Post Graduate Advanced Diploma in Relational Supervision (2017) National Counselling Society (Level 7)
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Senior Accredited Counsellor with BACP (British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy)
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Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling – The Counselling Tutor (80 hours)
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Advanced Diploma in Pastoral Counselling Skills (2011) – University of Gloucestershire
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Post Graduate Certificate in Education
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BA (Hons) Degree in History and Religious Studies
Counselling, Supervision and Relevant Experience
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Network Counselling and Training (Network.org.uk), Bristol. Experienced volunteer counsellor. Currently supervising both Network student and qualified counsellors.
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Network Counselling and Training: Counselling Training Leader – Introductory Listening and Foundation Counselling Skills courses – ‘Being There’ and ‘A Way of Being’
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Working with Church Leaders and family members through referrals from The Churches Ministerial Counselling Service (CMCS) and Bristol Diocese
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Care First: Employee Assistance Provider (EAP) telephone and face-to-face referral work since 2017
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Supervision of self-employed counsellors.
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Supervision of counsellors and other professionals in a range of organisational settings e.g. hospice and social work
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Supervision of Employee Assistance Provider telephone and online counsellors
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Youthwork Team Leader with a Christian Youth Organisation for 7 years
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Secondary School Humanities Teacher for 4 years
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Pastoral Care Worker for 3 years
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Various Voluntary Sector Administration roles for 8 years
The bigger picture
Originally from Lancashire, I have been living in Bristol on and off since 1994, and love it here. I have two adult sons and personal experience of the impact of Asperger’s syndrome on family life.
My broad life experience has included time spent working with disadvantaged people in Singapore, Uganda, South Africa and in the UK.
I work hard at keeping fit and particularly enjoy running, having successfully completed the London Marathon in addition to eight half-marathons. I’m an avid reader and enjoy getting to know people.
If you’d like to meet me before going further with the counselling, why not get in touch to arrange a no-strings attached Introductory Session
Accreditation
When you first start looking at counselling, actually choosing a Counsellor can be a daunting task – there are lots of us and there are many different therapeutic approaches.
So why Shelley Gabb?
I am an experienced BACP (British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy) Registered and Senior Accredited Counsellor offering Person-Centered Counselling.
Why is that important?
It means that I’m not only trained and qualified, but that I have undertaken all the necessary steps to achieve a professional accreditation that testifies to my legitimacy, the fact that I’m regulated and accountable to a professional body, and that I have a breadth as well as a depth of experience spanning thousands of hours on the job.
The bottom line is that I’ve proven to be a pair of safe hands to hold the ‘stuff’ you might want to share with me.
How do you know that you’re ready for counselling? Find out how>
My Clients Say
The following are genuine testimonials from clients – both male and female, of different ages and at different points in their journey through life. I hope you will understand and respect that I can’t give their names and details here. Scroll down to see what they say.
HELPFUL TOOLS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
“I am so impressed with the depth of listening and ability to draw out themes and make connections with the stuff I shared. One of the most helpful tools Shelley gave me was the ability to question why I think a certain way – self-awareness that is making a difference.”
RELATIONSHIPS HAVE BEEN STRENGTHENED
“I’ve broached some uncomfortable ‘no go’ areas and found greater freedom as a result. My relationships have been strengthened by a greater self-awareness and ability to communicate.”
CARED ABOUT ME AND MY STORY
“Shelley gave me a safe, non-judgemental place to be totally honest. I’ve always believed that she cared about me and my story and it was a luxury to be able to talk freely about myself knowing that she was there just for me.”
YOUR ISSUES MATTER
“One of the reasons I hadn’t sought counselling in the past was that I didn’t feel my issues were ‘big enough’. Shelley completely reassured me, and she was right – they mattered because they were getting in the way of who I am today.”
HELPING FIND THE ANSWERS FROM WITHIN
Shelley helped me understand how I process my feelings and the effect that was having on my general wellbeing. Over 6 sessions she guided me through how to tune in to who ‘I’ am, what I feel and why I matter, her approach enabled me to find the answers that I knew were somewhere within me.
HELPED CHANGE MY LIFE FOR THE BETTER
Shelley made me feel very comfortable. The counselling helped me to see who I am, and helped me a lot to change my life for the better.
REGAINED MY SELF-ESTEEM
Shelley started seeing me at a point in my life where I felt very low and rather helpless. Over the months that she has seen me I feel that I have regained my self-esteem and strength to push forward with my life in new and positive ways. She has been truely fantastic!
ALWAYS EMPATHETIC TO MY STORY
Shelley is an exceedingly warm person. From the very first session she was always empathetic to my story, situation and struggles.
Sessions with Shelley were sometimes creative, sometimes challenging; but were always safe, insightful, supportive and open. They helped me immensely and gave me an opportunity to talk through my life at a challenging time.
LIKE A NON-JUDGEMENTAL FRIEND
Shelley made me feel very comfortable, like talking to a non-judgemental friend. Gave me more confidence in my ability to effect things in my life.
Contact
I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect.
m. 07783 994123