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Paul Whitehead (Vidyapala)

Gestalt Counselling & Psychotherapy in Glossop, central Manchester and online

Forces beyond your control can take away everything you possess except one thing, your freedom to choose how you will respond to the situation.”

Dr Viktor Frankl

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A Safe Space for Real Change

Are you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or carrying pain that’s hard to name? You might be living with the effects of trauma, anxiety, grief, or simply a sense that something’s not quite right.

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You don’t need to go through it alone.

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I offer a warm, confidential space where you can slow down, feel supported, and begin to make sense of what’s happening inside. Therapy with me is collaborative and down-to-earth. I’ll work alongside you to help uncover what’s holding you back, what wants to emerge and be worked through.

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More than talk - a whole person approach

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I’ve trained to a high standard with the UKCP, specialising in Gestalt therapy — a deeply creative and relational way of working that invites real transformation.

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Together, we might:

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  • Tune into your body to understand how trauma or emotion shows up physically
     

  • Use gentle, creative methods - like visualisation or exploring an image or phrase - to shift stuck patterns
     

  • Engage in honest, two-way conversation that helps you reconnect to your voice
     

  • Gently explore meaning, identity or spiritual questions if that feels important
     

Sometimes we might try small experiments in session - simple, creative ways to experience things differently. These are always optional, and we decide together what feels helpful.

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This way of working is especially supportive if you’ve tried more traditional talk therapy but want something deeper - something that engages your whole self.

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Support that meets you where you are

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I’ve helped people navigate trauma, anxiety, self-doubt, relationship struggles, spiritual disconnection and more. Whatever you bring, I’ll meet it with compassion and respect.

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This is a welcoming, LGBTQ+ affirming space.

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See My Approach for more details

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Start with a Conversation

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​II offer a free initial call so we can get to know each other and see if this feels like a good fit.

Services
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A little bit about my background ...

Professional Career

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​I have held front-line and management roles in community development and public health, served as a trustee, and contributed to educational advisory bodies. Most recently, I led programs to alleviate poverty in some of the most disadvantaged communities in the UK. Working with people from diverse backgrounds has given me valuable insight into how personal, social, and political forces intersect. 

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Meditation, Mindfulness and Spirituality

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I'm an ordained Buddhist with the Dharma name Vidyapala, meaning Protector of Wisdom. With over 15 years of practice, I integrate mindfulness, meditation, and compassion-based approaches into my work.

 

I also bring many years experience of teaching and participating in intensive meditation, study retreats, courses, and groups into my therapy practice. Although, my training has been in the Buddhist tradition, your way of making sense of your experience is always our point of reference.

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Therapeutic Experience

 

In addition to my private practice, I provide therapeutic support within hospice settings, assisting individuals who are bereaved or facing profound, life-limiting illnesses. Many clients have expressed that our work together has helped them process complex emotions, difficult memories, and deep-seated patterns. By fostering practical skills, resilience, and a renewed sense of confidence, I help each person discover a way forward that truly aligns with them.

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Clients have shared that my therapeutic approach has reached depths that other methods have not, providing them with the breakthrough they were seeking. My approach can be especially helpful for those who have engaged in personal development or therapy before but are now looking to make deeper, transformative changes.

What I can offer

Individual Therapy

I offer both short and long term individual therapy, in person and online.  My main clinic is in Glossop, Derbyshire but I can also see clients in central Manchester and online. Sessions are usually weekly for 50 minutes, though due to scheduling needs and other factors, this may vary. I offer a sliding scale of pricing between £40 - £60 per hour (depending on what you can afford): contact me for details.   

 

I am fully insured and work to the Codes of Ethics and Practice of the GPTI (Gestalt Psychotherapy Training Institute) which operates under the umbrella of the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP), the official body for the registration of psychotherapists.

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Get in Touch

If you're interested in exploring therapy with me, then please call me on 07921 823926 (leave a message if I don't pick up and I'll get back to you asap), email me at paulwhiteheadtherapy@gmail.com or contact me on the form below for a free consultation to explore how we might work together. 

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Paul Whitehead
Tel: 07921 823926

E-mail: paulwhiteheadtherapy@gmail.com

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