Iris Osk Gudsteinsdottir
Counsellor & Psychotherapist (BSc, FdSc, MBACP)
Mindfulness Teacher
A Bit About Me
Prior to embarking on a journey to change my career and become a counsellor, I worked as an Interior Architect and Lighting Designer in Italy and in the UK. After some time in my previous career I felt that there was something missing, and to fill that void I volunteered alongside work, as a mentor for teenagers in a secondary school in Surrey. It was the experience of mentoring that propelled me into the field of counselling and psychotherapy and also having experienced first hand how helpful counselling can be.
I am originally from Reykjavik, Iceland, and before settling in the UK in 2012, I lived in many different countries like Norway, Italy and Switzerland. The experience of living in and adapting to new countries, cultures, people and languages has influenced me and shown me that despite how we may appear different to each other we are fundamentally similar; humans with aspirations, needs and complex stories, all deserving of respect, empathy and understanding.
In addition, I often experienced being the 'odd one out' or 'different' because of being a foreigner and a minority in a group. It is important to me, and I want to emphasise, that I offer an inclusive service where I welcome people from all backgrounds and identities, whether these are cultural, religious, race, gender or sexuality related.
Qualifications and Experience
Counselling and Psychotherapy
Additional training and CPD
Previous Counselling Experience
- BSc (Hons) in Integrative Counselling (Middlesex University)
- FdSc in Integrative Counselling (Greenwich University).
- Award in Counselling Skills and Theory (NCFE CACHE Level 3)
- Award in Helping Skills (NCFE CACHE Level 2)
- Award in Interpersonal Skills (NCFE Level 1)
- Online Counselling
- Mindfulness Teacher Training (Mindfulness Network)
- Treating Complex Trauma
- Integrative Polyvagal Theory for Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Attachment and more.
- Narcissistic Relationships, Emotional Abuse & Gaslighting: Treating
and Empowering Survivors of Relational Trauma.
- Getting Started as a Walking Therapist: Step-by-Step
- Working with Shame
- Working with Sexual Abuse: Hope for Healing
- Counselling Agency for Women, Surrey
- Counselling Agency for University Students, Berkshire
- Private Practice, established in 2022
Professional Memberships
BACP
Professionally Insured
Enhanced DBS Certificate
As a member of the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) I adhere to their Ethical Framework for the Counselling Profession (2018).