Barry Golten

I am offering sessions face to face in Belper, Derbyshire and over Zoom. 

Do you find self acceptance difficult?

Is the way you feel about yourself influenced by echoes of voices which linger just out of awareness?

Does this make you shut down and hide parts of yourself which you think other people won't like or accept?

Are you struggling with anxiety about everyday tasks and relationships?

Does your anger leave you feeling out of control?

Talking with someone who is welcoming of all these aspects has helped me to accept these buried needs and wants. It helps the parts of me to make friends with each other and to walk together hand in hand.

I would like to offer this welcome to you. 

I will spend time getting to know you, hearing your story and learning about your hopes for the future. I will regular check whether my understanding of you fits and I will ask gentle thoughtful questions to help you to explore yourself from many angles. 

I will be on your side throughout our journey together. I will trust you to find your own way towards the way you would like to be in life, work relationships or whatever you bring. 

In am trained in Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) (Level 1)  and will use this approach, with your consent, to help you identify internal parts, understand  their roles and help to generate more internal space and harmony. 

I have a particular interest in working with people who have been bullied as this is my own experience. Also people who have a history of refugee/migration in their family.

My practice is friendly to people of all sexualities and gender identities and I am interested in working with those living or exploring a non-monogamous or polyamorous lifestyle.

I have worked with a number of people who struggled with people-pleasing patterns and have developed an interest in this.

A space were you will be held and accepted as who you are. You will bring the stories and issues which get in the way of you living your life as you want to live it. We will work together to welcome and integrate the different parts of you. 

You will be supported to move forward in self knowledge and self acceptance.

Initial Conversation - 15 minutes - free

Counselling session - 50 minutes - £50

Extended Counselling Session 90 minutes - £90

(Reduced fees may be available by negotiation)

My online hours are flexible. I usually work between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday

Internal criticisms or bad feelings about ourselves are explored together. They often provide clues to past experiences which show up as present patterns of thought or behaviour. Addressing, accepting and reframing these past messages can lead to freedom and change.

Finding acceptance for parts of ourselves which we have thought of as bad, stupid or useless can be hard at first. This can only happen when we feel comfortable with a therapist. People who click with me find me to be warm, attentive and at times informal.   They are able to see that I share many of the struggles presented in the room. I am able to help them see that these ups and downs are part of the human condition.

My hope is to help clients to know and accept themselves better, to create more space internally so that self healing can occur.

The way that I work will be influenced by what you present and what you are drawn to . Initially I will get to know you, your concerns and hopes and you will get to know me by the questions I ask and how I respond to what you say.  This getting to know each other will take as long as it needs.

If you are happy to work with me - I will make an initial arrangement to see you for 6 weekly sessions. After this, if you continue with therapy, we will review as and when needed. 

I will often reflect back to you what I am hearing in terms of the parts of you which are being expressed e.g. It sounds like a part of you is feeling critical of how you did that. If you are receptive to working with your parts, I may take this further by helping you to conduct internal conversations with your parts. If this is not to your taste - I may be more likely to explore your issues in a way led by you.

Although I am not able to find "fixes" for issues you present, such as anxiety, low self esteem, depression etc, I will at times suggest practices which can put you on a healing path. These might include using a structured journalling practice, listening to guided meditations or doing other writing tasks such as unsent letters. 

I usually prompt reflection at the start of sessions by asking about the time between the last session and this. If any issues have surfaced which could use some exploration we can dive deeper into them. I will be particularly interested in feelings, how they were managed and how we can experience our emotions without being overwhelmed by them.

I offer a free 15 minute zoom chat to see of we can work together. I will ask you to talk about why you are seeking help at the present. I will be curious about what you are hoping for from therapy.

The first full appointment is 50 minutes long unless we agree to start with an extended 90 minute session.

I will take a few personal details before we start.

I do not do an assessment. Our work is led by you and your needs.