My background, qualities and qualifications

A varied life with many challenges

Now age 50, I've faced many challenges that have felt overwhelming and shocking.

Picture of Geoff Green from 2022 I received counselling and other support to get me through bullying, trauma, and loss as a child. Work, friendships, and sexuality have all felt vulnerable. And now increasingly I meet my ageing process.

From a young age I became very interested in what life is about. What are we here for? What triggers me to feel safe or unsafe? What's happening when I feel so unsettled? Can I find peace with this, or what do I do if that's impossible?

I've had varied jobs, working in IT in the 90s, then using technology to support people with disabilities. I've held administrative roles, led dance sessions in care homes, and even done dance routines on a bar!

Relationships and fatherhood

I've been in long and short-term relationships, with men and women, and have been divorced.

Despite many years of uncertainty, I had my only child in 2015 - she constantly stretches me, but also brings great energy and playfulness.

Choosing to be a counsellor

My own challenges meant I was quite insightful, so I was regularly chosen as a confidante through my teens - this gave me a taste of depth and meaning that I knew I wanted more of in the future.

A path to living this emerged, once I experienced some quite radical change through counselling in my 20s. I needed more years to be ready to train but ultimately that happened in my mid 30s.

What grabs my attention these days?

Picture of moon in a red sky I'm very moved by the climate emergency we are facing, and the fear, grief, anger, hopelessness, determination it may trigger in each of us.

And now increasingly I meet my ageing process, my body and mind feeling different, this being largely out of my control.

What qualities do you need from me?

  • Empathy, feeling less alone? I'm really curious what it's like to be you, what troubles you, what you long for. I'll help you explore this.

  • Safety? We'll gradually build trust, at a safe pace. My openness, careful listening, solid boundaries, and trauma awareness should help with this.

  • Solidity, so you can stay focused on letting it all out? I'll remain centred, whatever you speak about, I've got my own support in place.

  • Someone on-board with finding answers or hope? As we talk and learn what's it’s like being you, new choices and self-acceptance tend to emerge.

  • Straight talking, to be challenged? I'll be direct with you when that's needed, yet sensitive too.

  • Genuineness? I aim to be real with you, and will share my reactions and experiences where this feels supportive.

  • Light-heartedness? I'm quite spontaneous and playful, and sensitive to when that's helpful.

Picture of hands cradling a candle

My professional experience

I've been a therapist since 2005, supporting wide ranging needs. Plus years in other supportive roles, including in Unis, care homes, with the Terence Higgins Trust, and a disability support charity.

Qualifications - professional trainings

  • Dip Person-Centred Counselling & Psychotherapy (Warwick University, 2003-05): accredited course, 18 months of prior training required.

  • Emotionally Focused Therapy Core Skills (2021, all 4 modules): for couples and individuals.

  • Sex as a Safe Adventure (2022): deepening EFT with sex therapy approaches.

  • Emotionally Focused Therapy Externship (2021): for couples and individuals.

  • Emotionally Focused Therapy Intro workshops (2020): for couples, individuals, and families.

  • Movement therapy using Biodanza (2012-19).

  • BSc (Hons) Computing (1992-97), First Class.