About

Donna Gibson MBACP

I decided to pursue a career in counselling for two reasons.  Firstly following a re-evaluation of my life following the death of someone close to me and a belief that I could be helpful to people who were struggling.  Secondly because my own experience of counselling had been really positive.  What I noticed was that it was the relationship between my counsellor and I which helped me heal.  Feeling understood, accepted, validated and being trusted to find my own way forward were immensely helpful.

I am passionate about the person-centred approach to counselling and you will often find me with my head in a book or reading a paper on the subject.  I also love films, especially independent and world cinema and I enjoy spending time with friends and family.  At the same time I also value solitude and like to spend time on my own.

Qualifications and Experience

I am BACP Registered and hold a Foundation Degree in Counselling and Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling.

My experience includes having worked with national charity Terrence Higgins Trust.  I also worked with Ipswich based charities Lighthouse Women’s Aid and Survivors in Transition, a charity specialising in helping survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

I am experienced in working with a wide variety of issues including depression | anxiety | relationship issues | domestic abuse | sexual abuse | grief | loss | chronic illness.  I have a special interest working with adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse and non-disabled adult siblings who have grown up with a disabled sibling.

Professional Membership

As a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, I work within their Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions.  I have met their standards for registration and you can find me on the BACP Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists.

I am also a member of BAPCA, WAPCEPC and ADPCA; organisations dedicated to promoting the person-centred approach to counselling.

Part of my commitment to ethical practice is to receive regular supervision from a qualified supervisor and I do this on a monthly basis.

Ipswich counselling | quote by Carl Rogers about the genuineness of the counsellor | The Bridge Counselling Service, Ipswich

Continuing Professional Development

In the last few years I have attended workshops on:

  • A short guide to what every psychological therapist should know about working with psychiatric drugs
  • Seminar for Counsellors on the Needs of Adult Siblings of People with a Lifelong Disability
  • Integrating Dream Work in Counselling
  • Understanding the Trauma of Premature Birth and Baby Loss
  • Men’s Issues in Psychotherapy and Counselling Today
  • Working in Private Practice with Women who have experienced Trauma and Diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder
  • Trauma and the Therapeutic Relationship | Approaches to Process and Practice
  • Domestic, Sexual and Honour Based Abuse
  • Mindfulness and Mentalising
  • Working with Aspergers
  • Eating Disorders Awareness