Victoria Gale

I currently have some daytime and evening availability for both online and face-to-face sessions at The Vale Practice, 64 Grove Vale, London. 

Sometimes it’s difficult to admit we are struggling, show our vulnerability and ask others for help. I encourage you to take that first step by reaching out to me. I will get back to you as soon as I can. 

About me

I am a warm, compassionate and curious practitioner with a passion for self development and wellbeing, philosophy and psychology. I feel privileged to work with my amazing clients, who are all so different in so many ways, but show the same great courage when coming to me to face their fears, pain and distress. Before retraining as a counsellor in 2019, I was a primary school teacher for nearly 20 years. This experience built a strong foundation in my knowledge and understanding of childhood, parenting and family dynamics, as well as SEN and neurodiversity. I have lived and taught in many different schools and countries including Spain, Malaysia and Nigeria.

How can I help you?

My clients struggle with fear, anxiety, stress, anger, sadness and/or a feeling of being 'stuck', alone or confused about who they are or what they want from life. This distress is often rooted in trauma, grief, work stress, relationship breakdown, poor health, a childhood of unmet needs, and/or identity crisis. Life is tough; we must navigate multiple relationships, search for meaning and purpose in our lives, balance responsibility with choice and freedom, and endure physical and emotional pain, loss and loneliness. My clients want to be heard, accepted and understood. They want to find inner peace and to heal from their pain.

I will provide a compassionate and accepting relationship in which you can be yourself and tell your story. Together, we will untangle your feelings, thoughts and behaviours, at your own pace. I will accept and understand you, just as you are, and help you to accept and understand yourself. We can work towards change, healing and/or self-fulfilment.

My approach

My professional training and experience has been an integration of humanistic approaches (Person-Centred and Existential Counselling) with Psychodynamic approaches. I also have experience of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and can work with you in this way, if you so wish. I work integratively as I believe no single approach holds all the truth and suits every unique individual. I see the commonalities among the models and I draw upon and integrate their concepts and theories depending on the unique needs, circumstances and preferences of each client. In any case, it is now widely accepted that the relationship between counsellor and client (and not the model or approach) is the most important factor in the success of therapy. My priority is to establish a therapeutic relationship with you that is safe, trusting, collaborative and compassionate, yet challenging. There will be regular opportunities for us to discuss how the counselling is going and whether you are finding it helpful. 

I have worked in voluntary placements at EASE Wellbeing in Clapham and at ACT in Bromley (formerly Bromley Community Counselling Service). In private practice, I work both online and in person from my counselling room in SE22. I have worked with clients with a wide variety of presenting issues such as trauma, depression, anxiety, low self-worth, grief and gender identity, to name a few.

I have worked with many clients who have faced prejudice, discrimination and hatred, just because of who they are. I am committed to a proactive stance against social injustice by challenging the status quo and advocating for those without power or voice. I welcome difference from me in all its forms. 

Our first session is a confidential assessment, where we discuss what brings you to counselling, some background information, what you need from me and whether I might be able to help you. If I feel there are other services that could help you more, I will discuss these options with you. There is no obligation to continue with the counselling after this initial session.

I offer counselling short-term (usually 6 or 12 weeks), medium-term (6 months) or long-term / open ended. We will discuss these options at the beginning and agree on the time-frame together, taking into account your needs, circumstances and preferences. You can change your mind about the length of the counselling, or terminate the counselling, at any time.

All sessions, including the initial assessment, are priced at £80 and last 50 minutes. Our appointments will occur weekly on the same day, at the same time and in the same location.

I offer concession rates for clients with lower incomes - please email or call me to discuss.