Couples Counselling in Manchester

I recently celebrated 25 years as a CBT therapist. I am now also qualified in EMDR In. addition my therapy practice I have taught CBT for many years. I was programme director for post graduate CBT training at Manchester and Lancaster Universities, I have lectured at most UK universities and also abroad in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Sweden, Spain, Holland and Brazil. I have been widely published on the relationship between negative life events and psychological distress including as a first author in The British journal of Psychiatry

Experiencing and struggling with unhelpful behaviour patterns or processing prolonged feelings of loss, uncertainty, anxiety, stress, disconnection, frustration, anger, sadness or loneliness can have a significant impact on all aspects of our lives. We all need support at different times in life, seeking professional help at these times can be very rewarding in moving your life in the direction you want. I have a pluralistic philosophy to therapy, which is a number of different therapeutic models can be explored, finding what best suits you session by session.

Are you struggling with something difficult in your life and need some support? I offer a space where you can be yourself, supporting you to find new ways to explore what's important. I am passionate about what I do, by the changes in behaviour, insights and new perspectives experienced by my clients. I'm a registered trainee Psychotherapist accredited by the UKCP and registered with the Gender Intelligence Network for Therapists and Counsellors.

Throughout life we all suffer from personal, emotional and psychological issues. Usually we overcome these but sometimes we can get stuck, tangled up and become negatively affected. If you are finding yourself experiencing anxiety or depression, or struggling with any other issues, then know that help is always available. Whatever it is, I am here to listen attentively, with empathy, without any judgement, and in complete confidence. There are multiple approaches to counselling, but rather than push a particular one (that may not be suitable for you) I prefer we work together to decide which is the best way forward for you.

Are things that have happened in your life preventing you living as you deserve to? Are you struggling with feelings of anxiety, depression, or feeling numb and disconnected from others? Do you find you're reaching for alcohol, drugs, food, damaging relationships to try to feel better? Or did you grow up with a parent struggling in this way? You don't need to have suffered an obvious trauma or adversity to be be feeling fearful, despairing or battling with a low sense of self worth. Modern life is hard and the pressures sometimes difficult to navigate.

I have been practicing as a full-time Counsellor for the past 16 years. I have worked in a variety of settings and for a wide variety of clients from young children to couples . I work as a Client Centred therapist helping clients find ways to live a more fulfilling life. Helping clients find out who they are, not who they are trying or feel they ought to be. I do a lot of work with children, students and young adults. I have also, for the last 15 years, done short term EAP work in my private practice for a local housing association.

My name is Austen and I provide Psychotherapy to individuals in Manchester City Centre and also Online. I qualified in 2011 and since then I have undertaken specialist training in the areas of Trauma, Emotional Regulation and Sexuality related problems. Trauma can take many forms; you might be struggling with the impact of childhood sexual abuse and neglect. Alternatively, isolation and shame as a teen may have lead you to lose yourself in sex or porn addiction. Many of my clients have previous experience of therapy and are now seeking a therapist with specific knowledge and experience and a therapeutic approach that is focused.

"Having walked a certain path, as a Christian, my Faith in God and leaning on Him has been the greatest pillar I ever held on to experiencing my own post-traumatic growth. However, I value individual differences, respect, diversity, culture, integrity, honesty and ability to find your own path, grow, connect and build an enduring relationship . I firmly believe individuals can be empowered to find their own solutions. I am aware I might not have all the answers or solutions, but I could give one or two suggestions. I am happy to sit with people who find themselves in a dilemma, stuck in difficult and uncomfortable situations".

I work with people from all walks and with many issues but all feel a need to change something in their lives. I can create a safe space to explore and understand the problems you bring, both individually or together with partners. I have helped many clients deal with the issues arising from depression, self doubt, anxiety and trauma, or changing notions of self worth, especially in the face of work stress.

Do you feel overwhelmed, numb, sad or maybe you’re finding everything a bit much? I understand what it’s like when you can’t see a way forward and you don’t feel heard. I can help you explore those thoughts and feelings in an empathic and non-judgemental space. I'm an integrative counsellor and I draw on various modalities & techniques to help clients emotionally process their issues and help create long term coping strategies. I work both short term and long term dependant upon clients needs & goals.

Self-criticism can feel like it’s on a painful, repeating loop. You might find you are telling yourself that you are not good enough, or boring, ugly or fat. Far from motivating you, it’s my belief that punishing yourself in this way actually limits your choices and actions and keeps you stuck. Quite simply, talking to yourself in a mean way doesn’t get you anywhere. Talking to another person, and opening up about this habit can really help and move you towards a more enjoyable life.

I understand that starting counselling or therapy can feel a bit like embarking on a new journey, when you can’t see where it leads. It can help to know that you’re not on that journey alone, and to work with a therapist who moves at a safe pace for you. The relationship between counsellor and client is incredibly important and you are probably looking for someone that makes you feel safe, accepted, and understood.

You may be experiencing anxiety, have family struggles, feeling sad or low, or finding the current economic or climate crisis overwhelming. As your person-centred counsellor I keep you, the client, at the centre of the therapeutic relationship . Counselling can be daunting, and sometimes you may not know what to expect. When you work with me, you will find a safe, confidential, non-judgemental space where you will be truly heard whether we work together face to face counselling, E-counselling or Walk & Talk. I work within the BACP Ethical Framework.

I offer face-to-face, telephone and online support with a range of issues such as relationship struggles, anxiety, depression and low mood, low self-esteem, big life changes, loss and bereavement, stress, work-life balance, trauma - to name a few. I also offer therapy sessions outside where we can talk whilst walking in nearby natural spaces. My core training is in Transactional Analysis psychotherapy, which provides practical approaches to understanding ourselves in relation to the situations we find ourselves in - so there is some emphasis on self-exploration.

Are you having arguments, conflicts, miscommunication or no communication at all, etc. in your relationship ? It's perfectly normal, these are what I deal with everyday, and I help couples to talk and communicate to each other in a different way. I use Imago Relationship Therapy with couples which helps you to improve your relationships and become closer to your partner . My role as an Imago therapist is to teach, support and guide you through the Imago Dialogue to deepen your communication and to make a good connection with each other.

People access therapy for many different reasons, but generally we are most likely to reach out for help when our usual coping strategies are no longer effective. At these times it is not always helpful to turn to family or friends, as their well-meaning support often fails to make us feel truly understood. As a therapist, I will not be directive in pushing forwards solutions, because I do not claim to know you better than you know yourself. My aim is to provide a safe and authentic relationship , where an exploration of the dynamics between us becomes a significant factor in the effectiveness of the therapy.