call 01189 070420 to speak to us

George Cumming-Bruce

MSc
Psychotherapist and Counsellor for Adults

Qualifications:

• MSc in Psychology and Psychotherapy, Middlesex University.
• MSc in Psychology, University of Westminster.
• MA Philosophy, University of Edinburgh.
• UKCP and BACP Registered.

Introduction:

Beginning therapy can feel daunting, but therapy is about understanding, not judgement.

I aim to create an environment of curiosity and collaboration as we explore your reasons for seeking therapy at this time. As I aim to better understand you and your particular dilemmas, you will, I hope, also begin to understand yourself more clearly. As this happens, both what is most important to you, and the choices you have, might seem a little clearer and less overwhelming.

Talking about the things which matter most can simultaneously be one of the most difficult and most rewarding things to do. Doing this requires a feeling of safety and openness, which I aim to provide.

I work with:

Adults aged 18+

Experience:

• Awareness Centre, London. NHS clients in the IAPTUS framework. Short term solution focussed work.
• MIND in London. Seeing clients for long term work.
• St Thomas’ Hospital London, Chronic Pain department. Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for managing chronic pain conditions.
• Psychotherapist in Private Practice.

My particular areas of interest include:

• Existential/philosophical crises.
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Stress
• Addiction
• Chronic Pain

My approach to therapy:

My primary approach to therapy is existential. Existential therapy has its roots in philosophy, particularly those philosophers who asked about what it means to be human. The complexity of life, where we are motivated by many things beyond strict biology- including death, meaning, relationships, responsibilities, fears, hopes, traumas, contradictory desires etc, is respected as something more than just a medical concern. The focus is not on just avoiding these concerns, but also asking ‘how best should I navigate them when they arise in their own way in my life?.’

Because of this, difficulties with living are understood as intelligible (understandable) if we understand the person and their context well enough. This differs from other more medical perspectives which sometimes see aspects of human experience as evidence of discrete pathology or disorder. Existential therapy, on the other hand, always seeks to understand the reasons for a clients experience, what motivates them, and what hold them back. This takes a relationship where the therapist and client can explore the world of the client together.

I am also informed by other approaches to therapy, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (a modern form of CBT), as well as Buddhist approaches to psychology, with which ACT and existential therapy have a lot in common.

Request A Booking

Please call 01189 070420 or fill out this form to request a booking.

All therapists at Mind Garden abide by their professional organisation's code of ethics. Any complaints should be directed to the individual therapist and/or their relevant professional body. This might include the BACP (British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy), UKCP (United Kingdom Council on Psychotherapy), BPS (British Psychological Society) or a similar organisation. Mind Garden Therapy assumes no responsibility for the individual practices of therapists using its facilities.

Please note that Mind Garden does not offer a crisis response service. If you are in crisis you should contact the West Berkshire Crisis Response Team on 0300 365 2000. Alternatively go to your nearest Accident & Emergency or call 999.

---