My name is Chris Galesloot, and I am a student counsellor offering low-cost counselling in Buckhurst Hill and online.
I mainly work from a person-centred approach. I fundamentally believe that when we feel stuck, depressed, unable to enjoy daily life as much as we would like, or unhappy with the way our relationships are developing, we often have the potential answers to our questions within ourselves.
But that doesn’t mean we were ever meant to deal with difficult experiences by ourselves.
As a person-centred student counsellor, I offer a safe, respectful and honest space where the focus is on you. Whether we meet in person or online, you will have space to talk openly about the things that matter to you, including those that may feel difficult to put into words.
I am currently completing a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (BACP approved) at Kent Counselling Training and am completing my required client hours as part of this qualification. I support adults experiencing a range of difficulties, including low self-esteem, stress, anxiety, performance pressure and generally feeling stuck.
Alongside my counselling training, I bring over 15 years of experience as a fencing and performance coach, working with people from complete beginners through to high-performance athletes.
This has given me a particular understanding of the pressures that can come with wanting to perform well, meet expectations or feel that you are good enough. Anxiety, stress, self-doubt and imposter syndrome can affect us in many areas of life, not just in sport.
You might put a lot of pressure on yourself, worry about making mistakes, compare yourself with others or feel frustrated that you are not achieving what you believe you should. Sometimes the harder we push ourselves, the more stuck we can begin to feel.
There are many similarities between my work as a student counsellor and my work as a development and performance fencing coach. When someone is struggling with anxiety, pressure or confidence, I have learned that simply telling them what they should do is rarely the answer.
Instead, I try to be alongside them, helping them explore what may be getting in the way and discover their own answers, beliefs and strengths. My aim is to help people find their own way through the barriers and obstacles they are experiencing.
This way of working also allows me to really get to know the person rather than simply focusing on their performance or the problem they are experiencing.
Alongside my counselling training, I work at a private school and run my own performance youth club as a fencing coach.
I have more than 15 years’ experience working with children, teenagers, university-aged students and adults, from complete beginners to high-performance athletes. I hold current safeguarding and first aid training, DBS clearance and a range of coaching qualifications.
I hope to work with my counselling clients in the same collaborative way: not telling you what you should do, but offering the space and support to understand yourself more fully and find a way forward that feels right for you.
I currently offer appointments Monday to Thursday between 9am and 12.30pm, both in person at Cherry Tree Therapy Centre in Buckhurst Hill and online.
If you would like to work with Chris Galesloot, please complete our low-cost counselling form using the button below and let us know that Chris is your preferred counsellor.