About Wirral Counselling Services

At some point in all of our lives we can feel overwhelmed… this can be because of an incident that has occurred (in the past or present), the situation we find ourselves in, a family problem, an important decision you have to make, or that life isn’t going the way you planned or expected it to. ‘Something just isn’t right’
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It takes courage to admit that something is wrong and that you may need help.

Talking to someone who isn’t emotionally involved with you, who won’t be hurt by what you say or judge you, can help you to express and understand your thoughts and emotions. This will give you the insight to making the changes that are right for you to move forward to a more rewarding and fulfilling life.

Choosing the Counsellor that is right for you can seem daunting, but here at wirralcounsellingservices.com we are here to help.
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I offer face to face counselling on The Wirral, with bases in both Oxton and New Brighton, Skype video online counselling, web based chat and email for U.K. residents and English speakers worldwide.

My training, work experience and any achievement

My name is Gerri Davenport, I am a Qualified Counsellor and registered member of the BACP (British Association of Counsellors & Psychotherapists).
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For the past eight years, in my role as a Counsellor, I have worked with various Charities, such as Mind, a Domestic Abuse Centre and a well known Children’s Charity, helping people from all walks of life.

​In my private practice, I offer face to face counselling on The Wirral, Skype web based chat, video online counselling and email for U.K residents and English speakers worldwide, whether living at home or an Ex Pat overseas.

During my time working in Domestic Abuse, I have worked with many victims through Counselling and support, I understand how difficult it is to try to understand your emotions, how confusing it is, and to help you make the changes necessary to move forward with your life. I have also facilitated a Programme for victims which looked at the impact Domestic Abuse has on them and their families.
I have given Domestic Abuse awareness training to professionals, including Police, Social Workers, Head Teachers, Foster Carers and Sure Start employees.

Many of my clients were adult victims of childhood sexual abuse, and had lived with the trauma of this ’secret’ for years. At this present time, because of news detailing Police investigations into historical sex abuse, many victims are experiencing emotional trauma as memories re-surface and they find it difficult to cope.

Counselling isn’t just for when there has been a trauma or a serious issue in your life, it can help to talk to somebody who isn’t emotionally involved with you when you face a difficult decision or a dilemma.

My Qualifications

Diploma Level 4 Counselling
Certificate in Counselling Skills
​NLP Practitioner

Further Training in
Domestic Abuse
Self harm
Stalking
Suicide Awareness
Child Protection
Working with perpetrators of Domestic Abuse

Further Information

About Online Counselling

Online Counselling provides an opportunity to explore personal difficulties in a confidential and supportive environment and it is quickly being recognised as a positive form of therapeutic support. If you are comfortable with computers, Online Counselling can be a convenient and flexible way to express yourself in confidence with a qualified, dedicated and experienced practitioner. However, you do not need to be a ’computer expert’ I will guide you through the set up process.
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The benefits of Online Counselling

It is more accessible if you are living a busy lifestyle and have difficulty making appointments.
You can access counselling from the comfort of your own home.
It is easier to discuss issues that are sensitive or embarrassing as you have more anonymity.
It is more accessible if you have difficulty leaving your own home or find it difficult to talk to someone you don’t know.
It gives you more time to consider what you want to say to your counsellor and to reflect and re-read their responses to you.
It is less expensive than face to face counselling.

When Online Counselling is not suitable

Online counselling is a different form of therapy than traditional face to face counselling and is not suitable for everyone.
Online counselling is not suitable if you have drug and alcohol issues, if you suffer from severe mental health problems, if you self harm or if you have suicidal thoughts.
If you are in crisis, please refer to the In Distress tabs at the top of this page.

I offer Counselling through various forms, they are Skype web based chat, email and Skype Voice/Video chat, and in person counselling based on The wirral.

Email Counselling
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I would ask you to open an account with Hushmail.com. This is a free, secure, encrypted web based service, which means that emails between us will be encrypted on route and nobody else will be able to read them once we have signed in to our accounts.
Email Counselling allows clients to communicate at their own convenience. Unlike waiting for a weekly meeting with your Counsellor to discuss your issues you will be able to write and edit your thoughts whenever you like, thereby giving greater opportunity for consideration. Email exchanges are limited to 750 words per exchange. We will agree a time for your email to be sent and you will receive a reply within 48 hours.
If I feel that these exchanges are not beneficial to you, I will inform you of this and we can discuss an alternative form of communication.

Skype Chat/ Messenger

I use Skype Chat sessions as it is easy to navigate and already encrypted. It is easy and free to download a Skype account if you don’t already have one. You can download Skype from here.
Skype Chat is different from email, it happens in ’real time’. Please take into consideration that it takes time to read, think and type your response. Although it is not a race to type quickly, it is more suitable if you are familiar and comfortable with typing.

Skype VOIP

Skype VOIP is more like a ’face to face ’ encounter. You will either use a video camera which is already installed on your computer, or an external camera connected via usb. These sessions are 60 minutes each, and we will agree a time and day for them to take place. I must also remind you that you must ensure that you have privacy for these sessions, that you are not in a public place or that you can be overheard by others.