Matthew Byng

If your past is disturbing your present then maybe the past isn't as far away as you think? Counselling and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) can turn past events into memories that can quickly fade as pain and distress detaches from them, leaving them neutral, weighing so much less than they did. 

In both Counselling and EMDR, I offer a therapeutic relationship where you can explore your history in a safe, supportive space. Together, we can reflect on old beliefs and unwind rigid rules you may have adopted for living, so you can create healthier patterns for the future.

As an accredited person-centred counsellor with the BACP and an accredited EMDR practitioner with the EMDR Association UK, I use my professional and personal experience to support you on your way towards healing.

Whether you are navigating trauma, emotional challenges, or simply seeking a compassionate space to explore your thoughts, I am here to help.

I have worked with many individuals who feel they aren’t getting what they want from life. I combine counselling and EMDR therapy to offer a holistic approach. This allows me to address all of you: your emotions, your bodily sensations, and your thoughts, which may have been impacted by past experiences. Our work will free you to stay focussed on the joys and challenges that you are facing today.

I offer both in-person sessions in my peaceful room in Rodborough, Stroud, as well as flexible online meetings via Zoom. 

Is your past distracting you from dealing well with the problems you're facing today? 

Counselling and EMDR can help bring peace to your trauma and understanding to your inner pain, guiding you towards a more balanced, calmer, and nourishing life.

Difference:

Feeling different and struggling to fit in can be painful and confusing. Experiencing hostility — whether from racism, homophobia, or sexism — can lead to anxiety, self-doubt, and fear. Counselling offers a safe space to build your confidence and to increase self-acceptance so that you can face the world more authentically .

Trauma:

Trauma can feel like old memories that still disturb you, causing distress long after the events themselves. These unresolved experiences can trigger intense emotions that feel as raw as when they first occurred. Trauma can deeply affect the mind, emotions, and body, and may result in symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). EMDR is a powerful and effective treatment for trauma, helping to heal these deep wounds.

Person-centred Counselling:

As a person-centred counsellor, I don’t offer advice, but I trust that the answers you seek are already within you, ready to be uncovered under the right therapeutic conditions. My role is to support and accompany you in this process of self-discovery.

EMDR:

In EMDR, I guide you through a structured protocol that helps reduce the emotional pain associated with past trauma, diminishing its power to upset you. I also offer the Flash Technique — an adjunct to EMDR — that can bring resolution to particularly distressing memories without needing to re-visit them.

I have a particular interest in working with clients in recovery from addiction, as well as those who experienced distressing separations during childhood, such as being sent away to boarding school.

In my work I combine the strengths of person-centred counselling with those of EMDR.

Each session lasts for 50 minutes, and I typically see clients on a weekly basis, providing consistent support to help you make progress on your journey.

Easy Access to My Stroud Practice

For in-person sessions, there is parking available directly outside my practice. A short path and two steps lead you to a peaceful, private space where we can work together in comfort.

Online Sessions

If you prefer to work remotely, online therapy is a great option. Just ensure you have a quiet, private space where you won’t be disturbed for the duration of our session.

Professional Credentials

As a Registered and Accredited Member of the BACP and an EMDR Accredited Practitioner with EMDR UK, I bring a wealth of expertise and experience to every session. My approach is tailored to your unique needs, whether through in-person or online therapy.

Whether in person or online, I am here to offer a compassionate, professional space where you can feel supported and empowered.

Payment Information

I accept payment via BACS, making it simple and secure for you to pay for your sessions.

A Collaborative Approach to Your Healing 

Our work together begins the moment we meet. In our first session, I’ll invite you to share what has brought you to counselling, what you hope to achieve, and how I can support you in reaching your goals.

I will listen attentively, paying close attention not only to what you say but also to what remains unsaid, and the deeper meaning behind it all. My goal is to ensure that I fully understand your experience, and I will always check to confirm that we’re on the same page. I’ll also explain my approach to therapy, what I can offer, and my commitment to supporting you throughout the process.

Before our first session, I will send you a copy of my contract, which outlines the terms of our work together. This gives you time to review it beforehand, and I’ll be happy to discuss any questions or concerns you may have when we meet.

We can have regular reviews giving us time to reflect on your experience. Are you finding the sessions helpful? Are they aligned with what you want from our work together? If so, we’ll arrange more meetings, ensuring that we continue moving at your pace.

I see supervisees in my room in Stroud and online using Zoom as well.

For those attending in-person, I offer convenient parking right outside my practice. My counselling room is easily accessible, with only two steps from the front path, ensuring that you can focus on our work without any practical concerns.

Professional memberships:

I'm an accredited person-centred counsellor with BACP and an accredited EMDR practitioner with the EMDR Association UK.

Are you a counsellor or psychotherapist looking for supervision to enhance your practice? I offer a caring transformative space where we can explore the challenges and rewards of working with clients, while also supporting your professional growth and well-being.

As an experienced person-centred counsellor, supervisor, and EMDR practitioner, I provide a compassionate, safe, and empathic environment where you can reflect on your work, celebrate your successes, and work through areas that didn’t go as planned. Together, we will ensure that your professional development aligns with ethical standards and strengthens your ability to connect with and support your clients.

Supervision is a space where we can explore the differences that make your work uniquely powerful. Whether it’s navigating issues related to race, sexuality, gender, disability, or other aspects of diversity, I will help you turn these challenges into sources of wisdom and insight that enhance your practice.

My main goal is to help you deepen your understanding of your clients and the therapeutic process. We all face barriers and areas of incongruence, but through collaboration in supervision, we’ll unlock a richer understanding of both your clients and your personal growth. 

With many years experience as a supervisor, I have worked with professionals from a wide range of settings including treatment centres, private practice, universities, and EAPs. I utilize the 7 Eyed Model of Supervision, ensuring that your clients always remain at the heart of our work. Together, we’ll explore not only the practical aspects of your practice but also the emotional and personal factors that influence your work, from global events like climate change to the nuances of your own life and process.

My supervision sessions are designed with flexibility in mind to meet the monthly requirements of all professional bodies. Contact me if you’re looking for a supportive, insightful, and empowering supervision.

I offer supervision both in-person and online, ensuring that you have flexible options to suit your schedule and preferences. You can visit me in Stroud for face-to-face sessions, where you'll find a welcoming, calm and accessible space. Alternatively, if you prefer the convenience of online supervision, I offer virtual sessions via Zoom, allowing you to access support from the comfort of your own space.

When we meet online, I understand that technical issues can occasionally disrupt our sessions, so I offer extra flexibility and am happy to extend our time if any mishaps occur, ensuring that you get the full benefit of our time together. For the online sessions to be most effective, it’s important that you have a quiet, private space where you can feel secure and at ease, allowing you to fully process and reflect on your work. This helps create the ideal environment for us to engage in meaningful and productive supervision.

Whether in-person or online, my goal is to make sure that you feel fully supported, regardless of the format of our sessions. You’ll always have the space to process, reflect, and grow with confidence in a setting that prioritizes your well-being and professional development.

When we first meet, I’ll take the time to learn about your background and experiences, including your training, practice, and history. I’ll also want to hear about your expectations for supervision—what you hope to gain, and how I can best support you in your professional journey. This initial conversation allows us to explore how we can work together most effectively.

I will explain my approach to supervision, including how I integrate the BACP Ethical Framework into our work and outline the responsibilities I hold both to you and to your clients. It’s important to me that you feel informed and comfortable with the process, so I’ll make sure to clarify how I can offer the support you need as you navigate the complexities of your practice.

Finally, we’ll discuss the nature of our working relationship—how we will collaborate, the dynamics we’ll establish, and how we can ensure that this partnership will provide the support, growth, and development you are looking for in your counselling practice. The goal is to ensure that we both feel confident that our relationship will be strong, supportive, and conducive to helping you reach your professional goals and aspirations. Together, we’ll set a solid foundation for your continued growth as a counsellor.