Natascha Gonnermann
Counselling and Psychotherapy

Children, Young People and Adults

Welcome

ABOUT NATASCHA
Hello, I'm Natascha a UKCP accredited and BACP registered Integrative Psychotherapist and Psychotherapeutic Counsellor, offering both short and long-term work with children, young people and adults from the beautiful spa town of Harrogate face to face, online and on the telephone. I also work Nationally online and on the telephone.

I first trained as a Psychodynamic Counsellor at the BACP accredited Westminster Pastoral Foundation, before going on to train at the BACP and UKCP accredited Northern Guild as a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor with children, young people and adults and as a Psychotherapist with a child and young person specialism.

I work with people from all walks of life and backgrounds, coming to me with a diverse range of presenting issues. In addition to working in Private Practice, I have experience working in both the Public sector (primary and secondary schools and the NHS) and Voluntary sector (Charities) as well as a Therapy Centre, with clients aged 4 to 90.

I know reaching out for support can be daunting - as a child, young person or adult it is a brave step to take. I believe a safe, trusting relationship where you are treated as an individual is fundamental to bringing about healing and change and therefore work relationally, putting our relationship and your needs at the heart of the process.
WHY SEE A THERAPIST
At all stages of our lives we face mental, physical and emotional  challenges. Sometimes we can manage them and at others we may experience feeling depressed, overwhelmed, anxious or stuck. These are normal responses but they can leave us struggling to enjoy life, know which direction to take or even like there is something wrong with us. They may have been triggered by a traumatic event or a major life transition or it might be that there have been issues you have faced for years that you now feel less able to manage or feel ready to have some support in understanding.

Seeing a therapist offers you a safe space to work through your issues. It provides you with the opportunity to learn more about yourself, which might include learning how your past has shaped who you are now, why you feel the way you do, and the triggers for your thoughts, feelings and behaviour.

Some of the reasons people seek therapeutic support include struggles with:
Depression/low mood
Anxiety
Stress
Anger
Self-esteem
Confidence/self-belief
Divorce/separation
Loss and bereavement
Relationship issues
Trauma
All types of abuse
Gender identity/sexuality
Eating problems
Addiction
Feeling lost/confused/stuck
Physical symptoms that cannot be diagnosed
THE SUPPORT
I OFFER
I offer a confidential, warm, empathic and non-judgemental space where I can support you to gain clarity and understanding  around your presenting issues and thoughts, feelings and behaviour so that you can achieve resolution and regain balance and direction for your future.

Drawing on models, theories and approaches specific to your issues allows me to offer a bespoke service and help you meet your individual needs and goals, encourage realising your own answers to your problems and support you realising your desired outcomes.

As an Integrative Psychotherapist, I believe that integration is at the core of the work I do, both in the way I will aim to support and encourage you to explore yourself, your thoughts, feelings and behaviour and to think about how your past may be informing your present so that you might integrate all parts of yourself in the here and now, and through the models I draw on to facilitate this.

I use the principles, values and theories of a number of approaches, including Transactional Analysis and the Humanistic, Person-Centred, Trauma-informed and Creative approaches in my work. Depending on what might be needed, I may use an approach as a stand-alone or in combination with another, for example, with a child I might use creative approaches such as sand tray, clay or drawing alongside the principles of the Person-Centred approach.

Services available

Children

Young children can struggle with understanding and managing their thoughts and feelings, particularly when they might not have the words to articulate them. Therapy can help a child make sense of sad, angry, painful or confusing thoughts and feelings that they might not be aware of, but that might be outwardly presenting in their changed behaviour or mood, for example after a bereavement. When working with a child, in order to support them in making sense of what they are experiencing, feel less distressed and become more self-aware and confident, I will enter their world through methods and activities which are meaningful to them, using interventions from sand tray, puppets, clay and painting to talking writing and music. I hold an enhanced DBS for my work with children.

Young people

Adolescence is a crucial time of developmental transition, characterised by exploration, risk-taking and social interaction, making it both a unique time of challenge but also an opportunity for positive growth and development. Therapy can help young people navigate challenges, manage life stressors and adjust to major changes. The support of a therapist can help them understand themselves better, express themselves, make better decisions and live emotionally balanced lives. All young people can benefit from therapy, not just those that might be experiencing mental health issues such as depression or anxiety. Having a confidential space to explore their thoughts and feelings can help them to learn and strengthen vital skills such as emotion regulation, communication, empathy, self-awareness, self-confidence and self-esteem.

Adults

As an adult we can be faced with unexpected challenges. These may be as a result of issues in the present, such as a bereavement or problems at work or within a relationship, or from historical difficulties such as an early traumatic experience that has now surfaced or that we no longer feel able to manage. We may feel stuck, anxious, depressed or be struggling with low self esteem or confidence. Feelings triggered can be overwhelming and make it difficult to move forward making it hard to engage in life or find joy in the things and people we once did. I have never met a person whose presenting problem hasn't been traceable or made sense and believe that through the awareness gained by exploring the thoughts, feelings and behaviour associated with it, we hold the potential to make our future what we want.

F.A.Q

The UK Council for Psychotherapy is the leading organisation for Psychotherapists and Psychotherapeutic Counsellors in the UK and the hallmark for high standards of training, and professional and ethical practice. It is a membership organisation and registered charity holding details of Psychotherapists and Psychotherapeutic Counsellors qualified to work with children, young people and adults.

Being a member of UKCP demonstrates I have met their exacting standards, robust training requirements and that I abide by their ethical and professional code.


The British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) is a membership organisation and a registered charity that sets standards for therapeutic practice for therapists.

To become a registered member I had to graduate from a BACP accredited course and agree to their Register terms and conditions, demonstrating my continued commitment to working professionally and ethically.


For further information or to check my membership with these Professional bodies please go to:
https://www.psychotherapy.org 
https://www.bacp.co.uk 
Counselling is usually a good way to help with a current problem; something that can be discussed and, hopefully, resolved within a limited number of sessions. Over a certain number of weeks the understanding of the problem improves and a way forward becomes clear.

Psychotherapy describes work that goes deeper. The work may focus towards more substantial life issues and problems that are having a deeper effect on the client's life. Focusing on a person's feelings and past experiences can lead to personal growth. Psychotherapy often requires a long-term approach, so the number of sessions can be open-ended.

Which option is most suitable depends on the client and the difficulties they are facing. Ultimately the most important factor is that the chosen therapist is appropriately trained and adheres to a code of ethics and professional boundaries. 
I offer a free 15 minute telephone consultation where you can tell me a bit about what you would like some support with and ask any questions you may have. I always recommend you speak to several therapists as it gives an opportunity for you to get a feel for who the best fit for you, or your child if applicable, might be.

If you decide you would like to proceed with me, my aim is to offer a first appointment, known as an initial assessment, within one to two weeks. This provides an opportunity for us to meet and talk more in depth about your presenting issues, what you need and how I might be able to help. Assuming you are happy to continue we would then agree an initial set number of sessions to take place at the same time every week, that is convenient for you and where I have availability.

If you are looking for a therapist for your child, the same procedure would be followed, except the initial assessment would be a parent assessment, attended without your child. If you decide I might be a good fit for your child the next step would be for them to attend an initial assessment, so that they might meet me and see how they feel about working with me. 
How long a period of counselling or psychotherapy lasts will vary from person to person and depend on the depth of the issues they are facing and what comes up during the work. For some people a couple of sessions helps to bring their problems into focus, and they feel ready to move forward; other problems may require more of an open-ended approach.

Before we begin any work we will agree on goals for the work and the initial number of sessions we will undertake. At the end of that number we will review our progress, reflect on goals, work done and what might be left to do, and as long as we both agree further therapy will be of benefit to you, sessions can continue.
Everything that is said by you, or your child if applicable, within the therapy room is private - this is one of the main ways counselling and psychotherapy differ from talking to a friend or relative. Once you are comfortable with the format of weekly sessions and the space they provide, you will find the freedom to speak in confidence is of great value.

Note that there are some situations where you, or your child if applicable, may be a risk to yourself or others, and there the law requires that I notify an authority; in these cases I may not be able to keep total confidentiality. Breaking confidentiality is very rare though, and only happens after the person concerned has been informed. 


Therapy sessions for individuals last 50 minutes, usually taking place on a weekly basis on the same day and at the same time, and cost from £70 per session. Initial assessment and parent assessment appointments can last up to 75 minutes.

Please note that if you want to cancel an appointment I require 48 hours notice; otherwise you will still need to pay for any sessions missed. I accept payment in cash or by bank transfer and ask that payment is made before or at the session. 
I do not provide a Crisis Service. If you require urgent mental health support, please see the information below which you may find helpful.

  • You can call the Samaritans on 116 123 free from any phone, any time.
  • You can text “SHOUT” to 85258 for free from all major UK mobile networks. You will then be connected to a volunteer for an anonymous conversation by text message.
  • You can call the North Yorkshire crisis team on 08000 516171 who are open 24 hours a day.
  • You can call 111, visit your local A&E Department at a Hospital or call 999 24 hours a day.

  • For children and young people specifically, you can call Childline on 0800 1111 or 116 111 from any landline or mobile network, even if you have no credit on your phone. Their details will not be shown on the phone bill. You can also email them on their website www.childline.org.uk using their confidential ‘Locker’ service. They are contactable 24 hours a day, seven days a week and provide a confidential service where no problem is too big or small.

Contact

  • Covering Harrogate HG1, HG2 & HG3, Ripon HG4, Knaresborough HG5, Nationally online and on the telephone.
  • Daytime and evening appointments available. I work from my room located in the town centre of Harrogate and also at The Harlow on Cardale Park.

Please feel free to contact me, for a free 15 minute chat, or to arrange an appointment for an initial assessment or parent assessment. All enquiries are usually answered within 24 hours, and all contact is strictly confidential.