About Us

Vicki Palmer BA (hons) Psychology, Dip Counselling, MBACP(Accred), Cert Supervision

Director

I have over 25 years experience of working in the voluntary sector, the public sector, and in private practice as a counsellor, supervisor, trainer and consultant.

Having started my working life in the NHS, I have a particular interest in integrated, accessible health services.

I have trained counsellors to diploma level, most recently at Bristol University, where I taught on their diploma for counsellors in organisational settings. This developed further my commitment to working with organisations as well as individuals. It has also led to developing a supervision training which is sensitive to oganisational context as well as to relational context.

I currently work in Bradford on Avon from the Manu Centre, which I founded in 2004, as a centre for integrated complementary healthcare. I use a person-centred integrative approach in my work with clients and supervisees.

As well as enjoying my work, I love to spend time with my family of five children who live in England, Scotland and Australia

Karl Gregory RGN, RMN, MSc Counselling, MBACP

Trainer, Consultant and Supervisor

I am a supervisor, trainer and consultant to a number of organisations, public services, individuals and nursing establishments. My background was as a psychiatric nurse for 20 years, managing teams and setting up local services. I helped develop and now co-facilitate a Certificate in Supervision with Vicki.

I have provided training/facilitation on stress management courses, mental health awareness seminars and Diploma's in Counselling for a number of organisations such as University Diploma's, other educational establishments, Mental Health workers, Occupational Health, Social Services, and the MOD.

I am currently involved in working with some local organisations to provide coherent work related stress policies, training and audit.

I have an integrated approach to working with people with a focus on relational, existential and systems approaches. I currently practice in the South West Region and have a private counselling practice in Gloucestershire established over 10 years ago.

Recently I have become interested in writing which probably is fitting with my age/stage of life. I have a love of gardening – which parallels well with my approach to life, and especially enjoy being with my family.

Published work to date:

• Gregory, K (2001) Integrating Counselling in Psychiatric Settings - in Counsellors in Health Settings ch 12, ed by Etherington, K, Jessica Kingsley, London
• Coupland, K, Davis, E and Gregory, K (2001) Learning from Life, Mental Health Care Vol 4, No. 5, pp166-169.
• Smith, G, Gregory, K and Higgs, A (2007) An Integrated Approach to Family Work for Psychosis, Jessica Kingsley, London

Julie Hession MSc Dip Counselling, MBACP(Accred), UKRCP, Cert CBT, Cert Supervision

Consultant and Supervisor

My experience over twenty five years of working in multi disciplinary teams providing healthcare across many areas of the NHS has led to my interest in developing services that are inclusive and easily accessible. With a particular interest in the emotional impact of illness on the person I trained as a counsellor in 1993.

As the Director of a Counselling service in the South West, I developed policies and systems to ensure delivery of the most effective and professional care in the local community with a wide range of needs.

I currently work as an integrative counsellor in Primary Care and in Occupational Health for the NHS as well as a Supervisor and Consultant across a variety of settings. I have staff management experience and believe in working holistically; to sensitively support the needs of the client, health care practitioner and organisation in the development of cohesive integrated healthcare services.

I also enjoy being with my family and friends and find relaxation through walking and yoga.