Hello, my name is Sam, and I am a qualified integrative counsellor following training at Birkbeck, University of London and the Minster Centre. Additionally, I am in the process of completing an MA in Integrative Psychotherapy. I believe that therapy can be a space where attuned, enquiring and empathetic engagement can help you understand life difficulties. Doing so can allow you to make choices and facilitate changes supporting your autonomy. I seek to provide such an environment for my clients where a range of problems, worries and fears are met with warmth, support and non-judgment.
What is Integrative Therapy?
‘Integrative’ holds a dual meaning in my practice. The first references my training in and synthesis of many approaches to therapy. These include relational, existential, embodied, psychodynamic, attachment, humanistic and gestalt influences. The second meaning captures my conception of humans as holistic beings; encompassing our emotional, embodied, thinking, experiencing and relational selves. Additionally, I consider the relationship between our past/present experiences and our feelings about the future. Integrative therapy can support awareness of these elements, which we all contain, to promote a felt sense of being more integrated. The therapeutic relationship is an opportunity to encounter these qualities dynamically as they emerge between us, and we work together to explore them.
Beginning Therapy
Your choice of therapist is important. I offer a free 50-minute consultation, either online or in person, for us to get to know each other and decide whether we are a good fit.
If you would like to arrange an initial meeting, please email me at [email protected]. I will get back to you promptly to schedule a session.
Who I Work With
I work with individual adults of all ages, both face-to-face and online. I provide 50-minute, once-weekly counselling on a short-term, medium-term or open-ended basis.
I can provide help in many areas, including but not limited to: Anxiety, Identity/Sense of Self, Challenges experienced by the LGBTQIA+ community, Relationship Difficulties, Navigating Non-Monogamy and Polyamory, Trauma, Bereavement/Loss, Anger Management, Gendered Experience, End of Life/Chronic Illness, Self-Harm and Suicidal Thoughts and Stress.
Additional information can be found at www.samgraystontherapy.com
About Me
Before training as a counsellor, I worked for several years in both professional service roles and within the third sector. I have a particular interest in working with clients who experience marginalisation. When working with such material, I seek to include space to consider and reflect on the impact of systemic, societal and patriarchal oppressions. This stems from my interest in feminist approaches to therapy. As a non-binary practitioner, I seek to be gender-affirming, queer-friendly, and sex worker allied. Additionally, I bring values of kink awareness and fat/body positivity to my work. As a white therapist I aim to provide an anti-oppressive space and to take responsibility for cultivating my practice here without having my clients educate me.
Rates
My standard rate is £70 per session. Some concessionary rates are available.