Schema Therapy Counselling in Altrincham
Many clients come to therapy feeling stuck, overwhelmed by anxiety, navigating a late ADHD diagnosis, or processing the impact of a significant life event. Often, we find ourselves repeating patterns we don’t fully understand, outwardly competent, high performing, even exceptional, yet internally disconnected from a sense of satisfaction or happiness.
As a CBT psychotherapist, I combine evidence-based approaches with genuine curiosity and compassion. I offer a safe, supportive space where we can gently explore your experiences, make sense of what’s happened, and work collaboratively to create meaningful lifelong change.
Many clients come to therapy feeling stuck, overwhelmed by anxiety, navigating a late ADHD diagnosis, or processing the impact of a significant life event. Often, we find ourselves repeating patterns we don’t fully understand, outwardly competent, high performing, even exceptional, yet internally disconnected from a sense of satisfaction or happiness.
As a CBT psychotherapist, I combine evidence-based approaches with genuine curiosity and compassion. I offer a safe, supportive space where we can gently explore your experiences, make sense of what’s happened, and work collaboratively to create meaningful lifelong change.
You may be feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or caught in patterns that keep repeating in your life or relationships. Therapy offers a space to better understand yourself, process difficult experiences, and create lasting change.
I work with individuals and couples navigating anxiety, depression, grief, burnout, trauma, relationship struggles, and significant life transitions. I support men who struggle to express emotions or manage pressure, and women who feel stuck in painful relationship dynamics or self-doubt.
You may be feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or caught in patterns that keep repeating in your life or relationships. Therapy offers a space to better understand yourself, process difficult experiences, and create lasting change.
I work with individuals and couples navigating anxiety, depression, grief, burnout, trauma, relationship struggles, and significant life transitions. I support men who struggle to express emotions or manage pressure, and women who feel stuck in painful relationship dynamics or self-doubt.
I also integrative EMDR, Brainspotting, Transference Focused Psychotherapy (TFP) and Schema therapy into my work.
I have been working full-time as a psychotherapist since 2002 and have over 16,000 clinical hours of experience. Trained in a number of different types of therapy, I offer a huge depth of experience, formerly as a Senior Psychotherapist with a community mental health team (CMHT) within the NHS and now as a psychotherapist in private practice. Additionally, as I have an unusual dual training in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy and Humanistic & Integrative Psychotherapy, I am uniquely placed to offer a flexible and powerful approach to psychotherapy.
I also integrative EMDR, Brainspotting, Transference Focused Psychotherapy (TFP) and Schema therapy into my work.
I have been working full-time as a psychotherapist since 2002 and have over 16,000 clinical hours of experience. Trained in a number of different types of therapy, I offer a huge depth of experience, formerly as a Senior Psychotherapist with a community mental health team (CMHT) within the NHS and now as a psychotherapist in private practice. Additionally, as I have an unusual dual training in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy and Humanistic & Integrative Psychotherapy, I am uniquely placed to offer a flexible and powerful approach to psychotherapy.
Life is tough for everyone at the moment. Everything seems so stressful and difficult and you wonder why you don't seem to cope when everyone else does. You can't make sense of what is happening either with you or your relationship. You may be anxious or fearful for the future and really fed up feeling the way you do and never getting beyond it? Would you like help to understand why you feel this way, to take back control of your thoughts and feelings and your relationships? Reach out to me and between us we can understand and work through these issues.
Life is tough for everyone at the moment. Everything seems so stressful and difficult and you wonder why you don't seem to cope when everyone else does. You can't make sense of what is happening either with you or your relationship. You may be anxious or fearful for the future and really fed up feeling the way you do and never getting beyond it? Would you like help to understand why you feel this way, to take back control of your thoughts and feelings and your relationships? Reach out to me and between us we can understand and work through these issues.
In addition my training in Schema Therapy helps to address unhelpful behaviour patterns which impact on relationships.
You may feel anxious about not fitting in, questioning your identity, and worrying how others see you. Behind the mask you wear to keep it together, there’s exhaustion and the crash that comes from hiding your true feelings. Therapy can be the space where you stop masking, ease the anxiety, and begin to feel secure in who you are.
In addition my training in Schema Therapy helps to address unhelpful behaviour patterns which impact on relationships.
You may feel anxious about not fitting in, questioning your identity, and worrying how others see you. Behind the mask you wear to keep it together, there’s exhaustion and the crash that comes from hiding your true feelings. Therapy can be the space where you stop masking, ease the anxiety, and begin to feel secure in who you are.
Have you ever felt stuck with your family or work roles? Do the people who are meant to love you unconditionally, frequently hold you back? Do you find yourself constantly feeling the need to apologise for things, then wondering what you have done wrong? Maybe you have felt blamed for things in life and want to explore things further. Or you may feel held back by guilt and regret. I can work with you to explore this through a safe and steady process which looks at patterns across your life and within relationships. This will help you to break free from the restraints of negative approval you may have felt for many years.
Have you ever felt stuck with your family or work roles? Do the people who are meant to love you unconditionally, frequently hold you back? Do you find yourself constantly feeling the need to apologise for things, then wondering what you have done wrong? Maybe you have felt blamed for things in life and want to explore things further. Or you may feel held back by guilt and regret. I can work with you to explore this through a safe and steady process which looks at patterns across your life and within relationships. This will help you to break free from the restraints of negative approval you may have felt for many years.
SW Virtual Psychology- Dr Sophia Williams
Psychologist, HCPC - Clin. Psych.
Online Only
Waitlist for new clients
Are trauma experiences getting in the way of living a life in line with your goals, beliefs, values, and desires? Does anxiety stop you from doing the things you want to do? Do flashbacks get in the way of functioning at home, work, or school? Have you been diagnosed with a health condition and you’re finding it difficult to adapt? Therapy helps you understand the cause of your symptoms and how to break the cycle. You will learn skills to help you manage these symptoms so that you can achieve other things in your life that are important to you. These might be working, having a family, or simply living trauma-response free.
Are trauma experiences getting in the way of living a life in line with your goals, beliefs, values, and desires? Does anxiety stop you from doing the things you want to do? Do flashbacks get in the way of functioning at home, work, or school? Have you been diagnosed with a health condition and you’re finding it difficult to adapt? Therapy helps you understand the cause of your symptoms and how to break the cycle. You will learn skills to help you manage these symptoms so that you can achieve other things in your life that are important to you. These might be working, having a family, or simply living trauma-response free.
More Therapists Nearby
Hey, I’m Kazzy. I work primarily with women and those in the queer community, many of whom are also autistic, have ADHD or are living with the impact of trauma. People often come to therapy because something no longer feels manageable. It may be that you are feeling stuck, overwhelmed, anxious or disconnected from yourself. You may find yourself caught in painful patterns of shame, self-criticism, people-pleasing or difficult relationships, without really understanding why. Without an explanation, many of us begin to feel as though there is something inherently wrong with us.
Hey, I’m Kazzy. I work primarily with women and those in the queer community, many of whom are also autistic, have ADHD or are living with the impact of trauma. People often come to therapy because something no longer feels manageable. It may be that you are feeling stuck, overwhelmed, anxious or disconnected from yourself. You may find yourself caught in painful patterns of shame, self-criticism, people-pleasing or difficult relationships, without really understanding why. Without an explanation, many of us begin to feel as though there is something inherently wrong with us.
Support, warmth, understanding and acceptance, together with a professional service, this is what I base my counselling practice on. Life can sometimes feel overwhelming, frustrating, unfair...even cruel, throwing so many unexpected hurdles in our way. Struggling can be a lonely, isolating place and sometimes we need more than just talking with family or friends. I offer a calm, confidential, non-judgemental space to truly be heard and listened to in which you can explore your struggles or confusions and, hopefully, enable you to recover your own perspective and clarity surrounding whatever difficulties are impacting your life.
Support, warmth, understanding and acceptance, together with a professional service, this is what I base my counselling practice on. Life can sometimes feel overwhelming, frustrating, unfair...even cruel, throwing so many unexpected hurdles in our way. Struggling can be a lonely, isolating place and sometimes we need more than just talking with family or friends. I offer a calm, confidential, non-judgemental space to truly be heard and listened to in which you can explore your struggles or confusions and, hopefully, enable you to recover your own perspective and clarity surrounding whatever difficulties are impacting your life.
Therapist for Men. "How are you?" "Fine", "All good", "Not bad".
Have you been asked this question and given a similar response?
You've been putting a mask on for too long, trying to keep it together and be a 'man'.
But now keeping that mask on is becoming harder and harder.
I specialise in working with men and know the power of having someone to share with and not be judged in return, no matter what it is you're facing. I know because I've experienced it myself and I've seen countless clients experience the same thing.
Therapist for Men. "How are you?" "Fine", "All good", "Not bad".
Have you been asked this question and given a similar response?
You've been putting a mask on for too long, trying to keep it together and be a 'man'.
But now keeping that mask on is becoming harder and harder.
I specialise in working with men and know the power of having someone to share with and not be judged in return, no matter what it is you're facing. I know because I've experienced it myself and I've seen countless clients experience the same thing.
I’m a BACP-registered psychotherapist with over 15 years’ experience supporting adults, children and families through trauma, emotional difficulties and life’s challenges. I offer a warm, confidential and non-judgemental space where you can feel safe to talk openly and at your own pace.
I’m a BACP-registered psychotherapist with over 15 years’ experience supporting adults, children and families through trauma, emotional difficulties and life’s challenges. I offer a warm, confidential and non-judgemental space where you can feel safe to talk openly and at your own pace.
I offer Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, EMDR and Counselling to individuals and couples presenting with a range of mental health issues, some of which are listed below.
I offer Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, EMDR and Counselling to individuals and couples presenting with a range of mental health issues, some of which are listed below.
At the core of my therapeutic approach is to provide an empathic, safe and open space, enabling clients to develop awareness and understanding of complex psychological difficulties. I use this basic foundation to help clients (and the systems around them) work through these challenges by applying appropriate, evidenced-based intervention models in a gentle and collaborative way. I believe that while life inevitably entails a degree of trauma, tragedy or other adversity, therapy can help people find resilience and hope, thus supporting them to grow from these experiences and offering a path to a happier and more settled existence.
At the core of my therapeutic approach is to provide an empathic, safe and open space, enabling clients to develop awareness and understanding of complex psychological difficulties. I use this basic foundation to help clients (and the systems around them) work through these challenges by applying appropriate, evidenced-based intervention models in a gentle and collaborative way. I believe that while life inevitably entails a degree of trauma, tragedy or other adversity, therapy can help people find resilience and hope, thus supporting them to grow from these experiences and offering a path to a happier and more settled existence.
Hi, I’m Hannah at Headspace Therapies. I’m a Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist (CBT) working with adults. Together, we’ll explore your difficulties and set practical, solution-focused goals tailored to you. I support a wide range of mental health challenges, helping you build tools for lasting change and a better quality of life. I also offer guidance for parents to manage their child’s behaviour. If you’re ready to take time for yourself, you’re in the right place.
Hi, I’m Hannah at Headspace Therapies. I’m a Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist (CBT) working with adults. Together, we’ll explore your difficulties and set practical, solution-focused goals tailored to you. I support a wide range of mental health challenges, helping you build tools for lasting change and a better quality of life. I also offer guidance for parents to manage their child’s behaviour. If you’re ready to take time for yourself, you’re in the right place.
Are you a woman who feels held back, tired of hitting the same internal walls no matter how hard you try? You want something different, but you’re exhausted, overthinking everything, and waiting to feel ready.
Feeling stuck doesn’t mean you’re not capable. It means you’re running patterns you can’t yet see.
My AuDHD brain gives me fast pattern recognition - I spot the loops and blind‑spots, and the subtle ways you keep yourself small, often before you’ve finished describing them. We don’t go round in circles just for more insight, we go straight to the root so you can stop hiding, start trusting yourself, and move forward.
Are you a woman who feels held back, tired of hitting the same internal walls no matter how hard you try? You want something different, but you’re exhausted, overthinking everything, and waiting to feel ready.
Feeling stuck doesn’t mean you’re not capable. It means you’re running patterns you can’t yet see.
My AuDHD brain gives me fast pattern recognition - I spot the loops and blind‑spots, and the subtle ways you keep yourself small, often before you’ve finished describing them. We don’t go round in circles just for more insight, we go straight to the root so you can stop hiding, start trusting yourself, and move forward.
I am trained in a range of interventions including Schema Therapy, EMDR, DBT and CBT.
I work with diversity. I am passionate about my work. I will work collaboratively with you to develop an understanding of your difficulties in a safe, non- judgemental compassionate way in a reflective space. From this we will develop the most appropriate evidenced based treatment plan that is individualised and meaningful to meet your needs.
I am trained in a range of interventions including Schema Therapy, EMDR, DBT and CBT.
I work with diversity. I am passionate about my work. I will work collaboratively with you to develop an understanding of your difficulties in a safe, non- judgemental compassionate way in a reflective space. From this we will develop the most appropriate evidenced based treatment plan that is individualised and meaningful to meet your needs.
I work with teenagers and adults who may be feeling overwhelmed, anxious, low mood, struggling with self-esteem, relationship difficulties, loss, trauma, or life changes. You might be feeling disconnected, or unsure where to turn, and that's okay. I offer a warm, supportive space where we can gently explore what you're going through at your own pace. Alongside support, I can also gently challenge unhelpful patterns or beliefs when it feels helpful to do so. Together, we can build greater self-awareness and develop helpful coping strategies, so you can move forward in a way that feels meaningful, manageable and right for you.
I work with teenagers and adults who may be feeling overwhelmed, anxious, low mood, struggling with self-esteem, relationship difficulties, loss, trauma, or life changes. You might be feeling disconnected, or unsure where to turn, and that's okay. I offer a warm, supportive space where we can gently explore what you're going through at your own pace. Alongside support, I can also gently challenge unhelpful patterns or beliefs when it feels helpful to do so. Together, we can build greater self-awareness and develop helpful coping strategies, so you can move forward in a way that feels meaningful, manageable and right for you.
Hello! I’m Leanne, a Psychodynamically trained counsellor based in the High Peak.
I believe true healing begins when we allow ourselves to verbalise and truly feel our emotions. So much of modern society works to keep us distracted and out of touch with ourselves and those around us. My approach is designed to help you connect with the overlooked parts of yourself - past and present, without judgment and at your own pace. With warmth and empathy, I have created a space for you to show up, just as you are.
Hello! I’m Leanne, a Psychodynamically trained counsellor based in the High Peak.
I believe true healing begins when we allow ourselves to verbalise and truly feel our emotions. So much of modern society works to keep us distracted and out of touch with ourselves and those around us. My approach is designed to help you connect with the overlooked parts of yourself - past and present, without judgment and at your own pace. With warmth and empathy, I have created a space for you to show up, just as you are.
Hi my name is Steve. My specialism is sex and porn addiction and compulsive behaviours. I have been providing this specialist service for 10 years and have helped many addicts recover successfully. I started as a couple therapist and worked for Relate for 7 years before training with Paula Hall at ATSAC in 2013 in sex addiction therapy. I am also a qualified and experienced supervisor for both experienced and student counsellors (discount available).
Hi my name is Steve. My specialism is sex and porn addiction and compulsive behaviours. I have been providing this specialist service for 10 years and have helped many addicts recover successfully. I started as a couple therapist and worked for Relate for 7 years before training with Paula Hall at ATSAC in 2013 in sex addiction therapy. I am also a qualified and experienced supervisor for both experienced and student counsellors (discount available).
Do you find yourself feeling disconnected in relationships, perhaps longing for closeness but somehow ending up feeling misunderstood, alone or caught in the same painful patterns again and again?
Or maybe you've always been the one who looks after everyone else, appearing capable and resilient on the outside, yet privately feel exhausted, anxious, overwhelmed, or unsure who you really are beneath the roles you've learned to play.
Many of the people I work with come to therapy carrying such feelings, and I help them find real change in thier lives.
Do you find yourself feeling disconnected in relationships, perhaps longing for closeness but somehow ending up feeling misunderstood, alone or caught in the same painful patterns again and again?
Or maybe you've always been the one who looks after everyone else, appearing capable and resilient on the outside, yet privately feel exhausted, anxious, overwhelmed, or unsure who you really are beneath the roles you've learned to play.
Many of the people I work with come to therapy carrying such feelings, and I help them find real change in thier lives.
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How does schema therapy work?
Schema therapy is based on the idea that maladaptive thought patterns formed in childhood—that other people can never be relied on, for example—can interfere with healthy functioning in adulthood. Accordingly, schema therapy works by directly targeting such unhealthy schemas, identifying their consequences, and replacing them with more adaptive ways of thinking. To this end, schema therapists aim to “reparent” the client by offering what they didn’t get in childhood—validation, for instance, or compassion—to reorient their worldview.
Is schema therapy evidence-based?
Schema therapy is still considered relatively new, and research on its efficacy is still in progress. However, some studies have concluded that it can be effective at treating certain mental health conditions, most notably personality disorders such as borderline personality disorder. Evidence for its efficacy in treating conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and OCD is promising but less conclusive, and experts warn that much of the existing research is of low quality.
Is schema therapy a type of CBT?
Schema therapy is based on many principles of CBT, most notably the process of recognising and challenging maladaptive thought patterns. But because schema therapy also draws from other approaches,including psychoanalysis and Gestalt therapy, it is not considered a form of CBT. It also typically delves deeper into the client’s childhood than does CBT.
How does schema therapy work?
Schema therapy does not call for a set number of sessions and is instead open-ended, with the treatment timeline depending on the client’s primary concern(s), progress, and preferences. Treatment that lasts between six months and two years is common, though many clients will start to see progress much earlier than that.