Zoe Bedford
UKCP registered psychotherapist in training based in Stroud
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I provide weekly therapy to adults and I am currently offering a limited number of low cost places.
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People come to therapy for many different reasons. Perhaps you are finding that life feels overwhelming, and are struggling to cope. Maybe you are looking for support to understand and process past experiences and relationships. You might want to explore and navigate something going on in your life right now.
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Life can be complex, messy and painful and there are parts of us all that have developed in response to our most difficult experiences. I welcome the full spectrum of human emotion and experience, and encourage you to come as you are.
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I believe that exploring past relationships and events can help us understand patterns and responses that affect the way we are feeling and relating to others in the present. Unpacking these can be difficult and painful, and I aim to work with you to explore these topics and experiences in a protected space.
About me
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Before training as a psychotherapist I had the privilege of working closely with people in challenging situations, many of whom had experienced trauma and suffering which had impacted on their lives and behaviours later in life. I was struck by the compassion I felt towards the parts of a person that were normally kept hidden, often suppressed through shame and fear. It can be exceptionally difficult to confront these parts, and a person-centred approach to therapy ensures that the individuality and autonomy of the client is respected at all times.
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As a client centred integrative therapist in training, I will work alongside you, at your pace, drawing from different therapeutic approaches to suit your needs.
How I work
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My training and professional experience have given me an insight into the ways in which early and subsequent life experiences can result in entrenched defences and patterns of relating. These mechanisms can serve us well in some situations, but as we grow and develop, they can also hold us back and begin to act as barriers in our adult experiences and relationships.
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Talking therapy can offer a route to identifying and understanding parts of ourselves that are often repressed, which we feel to be unpalateable to ourselves or others. I welcome the opportunity to explore these areas of your self and your experiences with you in a confidential setting.
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I understand how difficult it can be difficult to break away from patterns and behaviours which developed from early life experiences, even when we can recognise that these old responses are no longer helping us. However, I believe that a strong, compassionate and supportive therapeutic relationship can provide a unique opportunity to work towards this. It may not always be easy or straightforward, but this can ultimately lead to changes in the way we see ourselves in the world and can, in turn, impact on how we interact with others and lead our lives.