Paul Whitehead
Gestalt Counselling and Psychotherapy in Glossop, 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.”
Viktor Frankl
Gestalt Therapy for Life Transitions, Trauma and Grief
Hi, I'm Paul (he/him), a UKCP-registered Psychotherapeutic Counsellor and trainer, specialising in Gestalt therapy – a creative, embodied and relational approach that works with your whole self: body, emotions, thoughts, relationships and imagination.
I specialise in working with adults experiencing grief and bereavement, trauma (including sexual trauma and abuse), relationship difficulties and major life transitions, such as separation, burnout or changes in identity and direction. I'm also interested in the bigger questions these experiences can bring: Who am I now? What really matters? How can I live with more authenticity?
You might be coming to terms with a painful loss, carrying the effects of past trauma, or experiencing depression, anxiety, low self-esteem or low confidence. Perhaps you're stuck in familiar relationship patterns, swinging between craving closeness and connection and then finding yourself overwhelmed and wanting to withdraw. You may struggle to set boundaries and ask for what you need, never feeling good enough or constantly comparing yourself to others. You may understand these patterns yet find them difficult to change.
I know how deeply exhausting this can be. In my teens and twenties I struggled with depression, low confidence and a painful sense of not being “good enough”. I also lost a parent at this time. This set me on a long personal exploration, mainly through Buddhist practice. I now draw on around 20 years of Buddhist practice and teaching in my therapy work, using meditation, mindfulness and compassion-focused practices where they’re helpful. There’s no expectation that you have any particular beliefs – we’ll work with whatever is real and important for you.
What a session might be like
For me, therapy is first and foremost a real human relationship, not simply a process of receiving advice or learning techniques. It's about two people meeting, listening and responding to what emerges between them. I aim to offer a thoughtful, compassionate and engaged space where we can explore your experiences together, at a pace that feels right for you.
We might talk about what's happening in your life, explore patterns in your relationships, or pay attention to what you're experiencing in the present moment. We can also explore what happens between us during sessions, as the ways we relate to others can sometimes emerge in therapy too.
If you just want to talk, we can; if you’re open to it, we might also:
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Tune into your body to understand how trauma or emotion shows up physically
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Use creative methods - like meditation, visualisation or exploring an image or phrase - to shift stuck patterns.
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Give voice to different parts of yourself, including those that are often held back or overlooked.
Sometimes we’ll try small experiments - simple, creative ways to experience something differently. These are always optional. We decide together, and you can pause or stop at any time.
Who I work with
I work with adults, students and trainee counsellors or psychotherapists.
I also work with many neurodivergent adults, including people with ADHD and autism. I aim to offer a space where different ways of thinking, feeling, communicating and experiencing the world are understood and respected.
This is a welcoming, LGBTQ+ affirming space.
Who my approach works well with
I have found my approach works especially well with people who:
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Are self-aware but feel stuck in their head (loops of stories, “what-ifs,” overthinking)
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Feel anxious and caught in repeating patterns they can’t shift
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Experience depression, anxiety, low self-esteem or low confidence.
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Are grieving or living with/alongside a life-limiting illness
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Are at a crossroads (after break-ups, burnout, or big life transitions) and want to explore the next step
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Struggle with boundaries, people-pleasing, shame, or a persistent “not good enough” feeling
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Are processing trauma or the after-effects of difficult relationships
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Are exploring meaning, identity, or spiritual questions
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Want an engaging, creative and dynamic approach to therapy that focuses on the "here and now."
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 Manchester and online. Sessions are usually weekly for 50 minutes, though due to scheduling needs and other factors, this may vary.
Sessions cost £65. I also keep a small number of concessionary spaces for people who need some financial flexibility. If finances are a concern, please feel free to mention this when you contact me. If these spaces are currently full, I’m happy to add you to my waiting list or recommend other options for affordable counselling.
I also work with selected health insurers including WPA Health, Aviva, Axa Health, Healix Health Services, and Vitality Health. Insurance-funded sessions are billed according to the insurer’s authorised rate. See FAQ's for more details.
I am a full clinical member of the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP),the official body of for the training and registration of psychotherapists. I am registered as a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor.
I am fully insured and work to the Codes of Ethics and Practice of the GPTI (Gestalt Psychotherapy Training Institute) and UKCP.
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.
Paul Whitehead
Tel: 07921 823926
E-mail: paulwhiteheadtherapy@gmail.com
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