At the moment (April 2024)  I don’t have space for new referrals.

Many of us face emotional challenges and dips in our lives.  We might be struggling to function in the world and can’t quite put our finger on what the problem is. The world may be troubling to us.

Seeking a qualified and experienced psychotherapist can provide the space we need to explore whatever is troubling or that which we might be curious about. You might be struggling in a relationship or with family members, there might be re-occurring patterns in your life that you don’t understand that cause you pain and suffering.  Childhood difficulties and trauma may be resonating in your life now. Sometimes there are here and now issues we need to contend with. Abuse, discrimination and neglect may have featured in your life with their inevitable consequences.

Each person has a unique story and unique reasons for seeking psychotherapy. At times we may wonder what has happened to joy and pleasure in our lives, at work and in our relationships.  This may require some exploration to investigate what’s in the way of vitality and creativity. Giving time and considered space to whatever is bothering us can begin to lessen the load and bring shifts into our lives in relation to how we are with ourselves and others.

I have been practicing as a psychotherapist and counsellor for 25 years. I originally trained at the Chiron Centre for Body Psychotherapy in the 90s. I am accredited with the UKCP as an Integrative Psychotherapist (working with psychodynamic and humanistic models of understanding and practice).

I have extensive experience of working with childhood abuse and neglect, relationship difficulties, depression, anxiety, life crises, sexual exploitation, low self-esteem and trauma. This includes significant experience in working with the impact of discrimination and oppression.

Over the years I have integrated and studied a range of approaches (gestalt, relational psychoanalysis, bioenergetics, object relations). This enables me to draw from a variety of ideas and practices to tailor the therapy to the specific needs of each person.  Each therapeutic encounter is unique and you bring to it your existing knowledge, experience and wisdom.

I usually see people at least once a week and up to 2 times a week where appropriate.

If you would like to consider psychotherapy then send me an email me rjdownes@mac.com to arrange an initial consultation.  During the initial consultation we usually explore what brings you to therapy at this time. You will also get a sense of me and whether I feel to be someone you could work with.

I offer short-term (6-12 sessions) as well as longer-term work.

Practical information: