Hello there. My name’s Dougal Stenson and I’m a qualified BACP registered therapist, offering counselling online. I am also keen to establish a face-to-face practice in West London.
I trained at the Metanoia Institute in London in person-centred therapy. This is a humanistic approach pioneered by Carl Rogers, which places the client as the only expert in their life, with the therapist there to facilitate the inner journey of growing self-awareness and self-acceptance. By creating an environment which is totally safe and warmly accepting of the client, and by being in relationship with them in a way which is frank and authentic, there is enormous potential for change and growth. As a person-centred therapist, I’m not there to advise, suggest or interpret, but to listen and offer up an empathic understanding of your experience.
I have undergone intensive training in order to qualify, and along the way, have accrued hundreds of hours of counselling experience. This has involved working with clients across a wide range of different backgrounds, bringing diverse issues to the therapy room. Every new meeting with a client is an exciting opportunity to learn and grow together with someone in deep, powerful relationship.
Before training to become a therapist, I taught literature for about twenty years, both in the UK and in Europe. I feel this has greatly enriched my relationship with the person-centred approach.
I have a a considerable amount of experience working with clients in the area of addiction. I am also experienced in working in the areas of anxiety and depression, trauma, grief, anger, relationship difficulties, sex and sexuality issues, suicidal thoughts and feelings, self-harm, dealing with long-term physical pain, work-related stress, periods of dramatic change.
I am available for therapy sessions at a rate of £50 for a 50 minute session, with some room for concessions in challenging circumstances.