Peter Sims

I work throughout the whole week. 

I am an integrative Counsellor, Psychotherapist and EMDR Therapist; which means I can draw on a range of approaches and methods to best meet my clients individual needs. I have gained a MSc in Counselling with Distinction. I can provide counselling and psychotherapy for a wide range of issues, including: anxiety, stress, trauma, depression, etc. However, if you are unsure if I can help you, then please get in contact for an informal discussion.

I know that accessing therapy can be very daunting and it is very important for me to create a warm, accepting, safe environment. All of my clients can expect the highest standards of professional care. I am constantly training and researching to ensure that I am aware of the most current and best therapeutic practices. I balance having a solid scientific evidence basis to my work, with being very approachable, warm and friendly! 

I have a very client-centred approach. I strive to ensure I give each of my clients the best service possible. 

What really motivates me as a therapist is supporting clients to finally become free from the issues negatively impacting on their lives (and which may have possibly been negatively impacting for many years). Although it can be challenging, engaging in therapy can be a very powerful and beneficial process for creating the necessary changes, leading to happiness, joy, peace, etc. 

I am constantly training and researching best therapy practices to ensure that I can meet my clients needs. I offer a safe, warm, supportive and professional environment to address clients needs. 

I genuinely welcome questions before clients decide to book any sessions with me. 

I trained in the NHS to qualify as a therapist. Previously,  I worked for 25 years (including at a senior level)  for various councils working with children, young people, families and individual adults with severe and complex issues impacting on their lives - including a range of mental health and emotional issues. I am also a Foster Carer, which can also give very valuable insight and experiences to support my therapist role. 

Clients access my practice from a very wide cross-section of backgrounds and lifestyles, and I like to believe that I am able to relate to a wide cross section of people in positive, supportive, sensitive and respectful manner. 

The first session will involve starting the process of building a trusting, safe relationship, rapport and mutual respect. The relationship between the therapist and client is a vital component leading to the success of the therapy outcomes. 

The first session will also give a chance for the client to ask any questions and gain insight into the legal and ethical framework that therapists and clients will need to operate in to ensure safety, professionalism, etc. 

In this initial session the client will be able to offload, talk through and begin the process of identifying their key issues, what they want from therapy and agree areas of initial focus (although this can change as sessions unfold). Whenever possible therapeutic goals are established to give the sessions clear direction. Some clients like to have a clear plan, whilst other clients prefer to take it session by session. 

All sessions last between 50 to 60 minutes. 

I am available for face-to-face or online sessions. I work from Monday - Friday each week. 

I know that accessing therapy can be very daunting at first, and it is therefore very important for me to create a warm, accepting, safe environment. All of my clients can expect the highest standards of professional care and ethical practice. I am constantly training and researching to ensure that I am aware of the most current and best therapeutic approaches, that have a solid scientific evidence base to indicate their effectiveness. I will tailor my approach to ensure I carefully address the issues clients bring to sessions and will strive to give each client the greatest opportunity to resolve any difficulties they bring. I have a strong problem solution approach and I work in close collaboration with the client to identify the therapy goals and to agree a plan of action to effectively address their difficulties. I encourage openness and honesty and we will review progress and will make any necessary changes to ensure the client gets maximum benefit from our time together.

What really motivates me as a therapist is supporting clients to finally become free from the issues negatively impacting on their lives (and which may have possibly been negatively impacting for many years) and supporting them to reach their true potential. A commitment to enabling the clients’ growth, development and change underpins my work. Although it can be challenging, engaging in therapy can be a very powerful and beneficial process for creating the necessary changes which can also help clients arrive at a place of much greater depth of happiness, fulfilment, well-being and self-acceptance. I aim to create relationships which places the client at the centre of the process and ensuring the client feels safe, respected and actively involved in deciding the direction of the therapy.

I genuinely welcome questions before clients decide to book any sessions with me. Please feel free to contact me, you will be assured of a warm and friendly response.

The first session is to begin to establish a warm and safe working relationship. Also, to undertake a detailed account of the issues impacting on the client from past, to present or about the future. It is during this initial session that the client and therapist decide if we are a good fit, want to move forward and if the therapist feels competent to meet their clients needs adequately.