Integrative Counselling in East Dulwich & Bromley
Untangle your feelings, thoughts and behaviours at your own pace.
My name is Vikki Gale and I am a BACP-registered integrative counsellor offering short, medium and long-term therapy.
About Me
Counsellor in East Dulwich & Bromley
I am a warm, compassionate and curious practitioner with a passion for self-development and wellbeing, philosophy and psychology. I feel extremely privileged to work with all my clients, who are different in so many ways, but show the same great courage when facing their fears, pain and distress.
Before retraining as a counsellor in 2019, I was a primary school teacher for nearly 20 years. This experience built a strong foundation in my knowledge and understanding of childhood, parenting and family dynamics, SEND and neurodiversity. I have lived and taught in many different schools and countries including Spain, Malaysia and Nigeria.
I hold a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling. My professional counselling training and experience has been an integration of humanistic approaches (Person-Centred and Existential Counselling) with Psychodynamic approaches. I also have experience of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and can work with you in this way, if you so wish. I work integratively as I believe no single approach holds all the truth and suits every unique individual.
It is now widely accepted that the relationship between counsellor and client (and not the model or approach) is the most important factor in the success of therapy. My priority is to establish a therapeutic relationship with you that is safe, trusting, collaborative and compassionate, yet challenging. There will be regular opportunities for us to discuss how the counselling is going and whether you are finding it helpful.
I have worked in voluntary placements at EASE Wellbeing in Clapham and at ACT in Bromley (formerly Bromley Community Counselling Service). In private practice, I work both online and in person from my counselling rooms in SE22 and BR1. I have worked with clients with a wide variety of presenting issues including depression, stress, anxiety, low self-worth, grief and gender identity, to name a few.
I am a registered member of The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) which demonstrates that I meet high standards of proficiency, professionalism and ethical practice. You can find me on the BACP register online by searching for ‘Victoria Gale’ or my registration number 408604.
Working with Me
My clients struggle with fear, anxiety, stress, anger, sadness and/or a feeling of being 'stuck', alone or confused about who they are or what they want from life. This distress is often rooted in trauma, grief, work stress, relationship breakdown, poor health, unmet needs in early life, and/or identity crisis. Life is tough; we must navigate multiple relationships, search for meaning and purpose in our lives, balance responsibility with choice and freedom, and endure physical and emotional pain, loss and loneliness. My clients want to be heard, accepted and understood. They want to find inner peace and to heal from their pain.
I will provide a compassionate and accepting relationship in which you can be yourself and tell your story. Together, we will untangle your feelings, thoughts and behaviours, at your own pace. I will accept and understand you, just as you are, and help you to accept and understand yourself. I can help you work towards change, healing, empowerment and/or self-fulfillment.
I have worked with many clients who have faced prejudice, discrimination and hatred, just because of who they are. I am committed to a proactive stance against social injustice by challenging the status quo and advocating for those without power or voice. I welcome difference from me in all its forms.
Location and accessibility
I offer online sessions as well as in-person counselling in two locations:
64 Grove Vale, East Dulwich, SE22 8DT (3 mins walk from East Dulwich station)
Ground Floor, 1 North Street, Bromley, BR1 1SB (3 mins walk from Bromley North station)
My room in Bromley is wheelchair-accessible.
Fees and timings
All sessions, including the initial assessment, last 50 minutes and are priced at £80 (or agreed concession rate). Our appointments will usually occur weekly on the same day, at the same time and in the same location (or online). I offer concession rates for clients with lower incomes. Please get in touch to discuss.
Our first session is a confidential online assessment, where we discuss your concerns, some background information, what you want from counselling and whether I might be able to help you. If I feel there are other services that could help you more, I will discuss these options with you.
I offer counselling short-term (usually 6 or 12 weeks), medium-term (6 months) or long-term / open ended. We will discuss these options at the beginning and agree on the time-frame together, taking into account your needs, circumstances and preferences. You can change your mind about the length of the counselling, or terminate the counselling, at any time.
Get in Touch
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how counselling works, or to arrange an initial assessment appointment. This enables us to discuss the reasons you are thinking of coming to counselling, whether it could be helpful for you and whether I am the right therapist to help.
I am happy to discuss any queries or questions you may have prior to arranging an initial appointment.
All enquires are usually answered within 24 hours, and all contact is strictly confidential and uses secure phone and email services.