Deborah McDonnell

I work  in-person   sessions at New Road Psychotherapy Centre www.newroadpsychotherapy.com in Hove or central Brighton. I also work  on-line and over the telephone. 

I provide a flexible availability pattern including, evenings and Weekends.

My approach

My approach is LGBTQIA+ affirmative. I am a relational humanistic therapist drawing from elements of the Person-Centred approach and uses different modalities, for example, Trauma Informed (grounding), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (changing response to emotions), Felt Sense (bodily awareness of sensations and emotions), Solution Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (creating safety) and Transactional Analysis (roles played in relationships). This means in your therapy, I provide a place to explore your individual life situations and difficulties as well as exploring what life means to you. I work collaboratively within the realm of your experience to provide a space to unravel areas that are causing pain and discomfort. I offer Short –term (up to 6months) and long-term (6+ months) therapy which is negotiated with you.

You may find yourself stuck in patterns of denial, escapism, or obsessive thinking as a response to your emotions. This can lead you to experience psychological distress such as, anxiety, depression, stress or tension. Despite longing to change, people can remain in these distressing and confusing states for significant periods of time. Learning to interpret and be more in touch with our felt sense (emotions and feelings) and understand the root causes can offer you insight into finding ways to understand your own needs and process how these can influence your life choices.

Integrative Psychotherapeutic counsellor

Counselling is about relationships with those around us and the relationship we have with ourselves. I create an environment where you can access and harness your own resources/strengths in a non-judgemental space to work towards your individual therapeutic goals. I will work alongside you and I am keen to understand your personal values whilst working with difficulties such as stuck patterns and developing an understanding of what is maintaining them. Therapy can encompass all as aspects of life, with the therapeutic relationship being a central part of healing.

Previous Experience and work patterns

I have worked in private practice for the past 5 years working with many areas, including anxiety, bereavement, CPTSD, depression, relationship difficulties, abuse, loneliness, low self-esteem and gender identity. Alongside this, I am counsellor to students in both Further and Higher Education. Prior to training as a psychotherapist, I was a lecturer for 15 years teaching Sport and Social Psychology to young people and adults. In both roles I have developed and delivered psycho-educative workshops covering topics such as ‘Coping with Change’, ‘Self-worth’, ‘Reducing Anxiety’ and ‘Improving relationship’. 

I am available to offer on-line appointments in a flexible way. These can include evening and weekend appointments.

My approach is LGBTQIA+ affirmative. I am a relational humanistic therapist drawing from elements of the Person-Centred approach and uses different modalities, for example, Trauma Informed (grounding), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (changing response to emotions), Felt Sense (bodily awareness of sensations and emotions), Solution Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (creating safety) and Transactional Analysis (roles played in relationships). This means in your therapy, I provide a place to explore your individual life situations and difficulties as well as exploring what life means to you. I work collaboratively within the realm of your experience to provide a space to unravel areas that are causing pain and discomfort. I offer Short –term (up to 6months) and long-term (6+ months) therapy which is negotiated with you.

You may find yourself stuck in patterns of denial, escapism, or obsessive thinking as a response to your emotions. This can lead you to experience psychological distress such as, anxiety, depression, stress or tension. Despite longing to change, people can remain in these distressing and confusing states for significant periods of time. Learning to interpret and be more in touch with our felt sense (emotions and feelings) and understand the root causes can offer you insight into finding ways to understand your own needs and process how these can influence your life choices.

I offer a free 20 minute telephone consultation  with no obligation at a mutually convenient time where we can explore areas you would like to work on.  

I can offer on-line or telephone sessions and I am able to be flexible and include weekend sessions.

My approach is LGBTQIA+ affirmative. I am a relational humanistic therapist drawing from elements of the Person-Centred approach and uses different modalities, for example, Trauma Informed (grounding), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (changing response to emotions), Felt Sense (bodily awareness of sensations and emotions), Solution Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (creating safety) and Transactional Analysis (roles played in relationships). This means in your therapy, I provide a place to explore your individual life situations and difficulties as well as exploring what life means to you. I work collaboratively within the realm of your experience to provide a space to unravel areas that are causing pain and discomfort. I offer Short –term (up to 6months) and long-term (6+ months) therapy which is negotiated with you.

You may find yourself stuck in patterns of denial, escapism, or obsessive thinking as a response to your emotions. This can lead you to experience psychological distress such as, anxiety, depression, stress or tension. Despite longing to change, people can remain in these distressing and confusing states for significant periods of time. Learning to interpret and be more in touch with our felt sense (emotions and feelings) and understand the root causes can offer you insight into finding ways to understand your own needs and process how these can influence your life choices.

Counselling is about relationships with those around us and the relationship we have with ourselves. I create an environment where you can access and harness your own resources/strengths in a non-judgemental space to work towards your individual therapeutic goals. I will work alongside you and I am keen to understand your personal values whilst working with difficulties such as stuck patterns and developing an understanding of what is maintaining them. Therapy can encompass all as aspects of life, with the therapeutic relationship being a central part of healing

.I have worked in private practice for the past 5 years working with many areas, including anxiety, bereavement, CPTSD, depression, relationship difficulties, abuse, loneliness, low self-esteem and gender identity. Alongside this, I am counsellor to students in both Further and Higher Education. Prior to training as a psychotherapist, I was a lecturer for 15 years teaching Sport and Social Psychology to young people and adults. In both roles I have developed and delivered psycho-educative workshops covering topics such as ‘Coping with Change’, ‘Self-worth’, ‘Reducing Anxiety’ and ‘Improving relationship’.

I offer a free consultation session of up to 30 minutes via telephone with no obligation to continue. This time  offers a time to explore areas you would like to work on and an opportunity for you to consider your therapy.