How I work

Most often, the first step in working with me is helping you to speak openly and confidently about issues which you have kept hidden. My practice is focused on making you feel safe and understood. Clients often tell me this is an essential aspect of working with me.

I always offer a 30-minute call to explore working together. The first three sessions follow a structured approach focused on how we work together and what action can be taken in the short term outside of sessions to bring about immediate improvements. 

This is followed by what is the core of my practice, overcoming the effects of trauma (described below), the first step in trauma recovery.

The second step in trauma recovery is focused on working in-depth to make meaning of who we are becoming, free from the shadow of our traumatic experiences.

Overcoming addictions and other effects of trauma

Overcoming the effects of trauma is about making our body and our life a safe place to be. 

The effects of trauma are often the problems which clients initially seek help with. I work most often with:

• Substance dependency
• Problematic ways of coping, such as pornography use, gambling or gaming
• Compulsive intimacy, emotional distance and other relational difficulties
• Severe anxieties such as attacks of panic, intrusive thoughts and social anxiety
• Persistent low mood and feelings of depression
• Low self-esteem, body image and distressed eating
• Other problematic patterns of thinking and behaviour

Neurodivergence, particularly ADHD, is often an important factor for the clients I work with.

Therapeutic approach

I work integratively using Evidence-Based, Narrative and Trauma-Focused practices.

Integrative therapy is an individualised, holistic approach that combines ideas and techniques from different therapeutic schools of thought, tailored to each client’s unique needs. This is not using therapies as a bag of tricks! It provides you with options to choose what works best for you and adapt as your therapy progresses.

Evidence-based therapies are often referred to as clinical counselling. These are ‘interventions’ focused on symptom relief. Examples include CBT, mindfulness practices, and somatic (body-focused) techniques. These approaches are very helpful in managing the effects of trauma, such as anxieties, addictions, and distressed eating. I have a master’s in clinical counselling.

Narrative Therapy seeks to be a respectful, non-blaming approach to counselling. It centres people as the experts in their own lives. It focuses on assisting clients in retelling their stories in ways that make them stronger. This approach is very helpful in recovering from trauma. I have a master’s in Narrative Therapy.

Trauma-informed practice recognises the prevalence and impact of trauma on individuals. It actively integrates into all aspects of therapy. This is central to all my counselling work. Trauma-focused therapy directly addresses traumatic memories and their associated emotional distress. I was trained in Trauma work at The Dulwich Centre (Adelaide).

Training and qualifications

I am an internationally trained and registered Trauma & Addictions Counsellor. I completed two years of clinical counselling training, three years in Narrative Therapy and a further year in trauma recovery.

• Master of Counselling, Monash University
• Master of Narrative Therapy, University of Melbourne
• Trauma Recovery – One Year Training, Dulwich Centre

I am registered with the following bodies in the UK, Australia and Hong Kong:

• National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society, UK (MNCPS Acc. NCS23-01012)
• Addiction Professionals Registration Body & Network (APRB 3149)
• Institute of Narrative Therapy, UK (Associate member)
• Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA 29143)
• Australian Counselling Association (MACA 25258)
• Hong Kong Professional Counselling Association (HKPCA M3046)

Power, privilege and discrimination

Trauma and distress can take up residence in anyone’s life. However, people who experience marginalization, whether because of race, gender, sexuality, or disability are more likely to encounter traumatic experiences. They also often face additional barriers in accessing community and professional support.

I am committed to working towards a practice that does not privilege any particular gender, race, culture, class, ability or other source of discrimination. This involves making visible the privileges I have benefited from, particularly by being white and male, and ensuring this is not impacting my clients and their therapy.

Lived experience

Born and raised in Scotland, I am a gay man in my fifties, living and working in London.

Before my counselling training, I worked in professional services for 20 years. I have lived and worked in the UK, Australia and Asia. This experience brings depth to my counselling practice and greater empathy with my clients.

Fees

My fee is £85 per 50-minute session. I also offer a reduced rate for clients who wish to work in-depth over a long period of time. I also offer a reduced rate to help clients who do not have the financial means to pay my standard rate and who would benefit from accessing trauma support. Please contact me to find out more.

I accept Apple Pay, credit cards, and bank transfers.

Getting in touch

Contact me for more information or to schedule a 30-minute introductory call, for which there is no charge.

• WhatsApp 07903 650 264
• Email therapy@chrisdudgeon.co.uk
• More information is available from my website https://chrisdudgeon.co.uk/

You do not need to disclose the reason for getting in touch. However, if you choose to do so, this information will be held securely and safely. Please indicate whether you would like me to reply by email, WhatsApp, or telephone call. I will respond within 24 hours.