Keith Abbott

Areas of practice

I’m passionate about helping you make more of your life, whether we meet for session in person or online or by telephone.
I counsel men, women and couples of many occupations and nationalities, including for example: IT professionals, medics, artists, lawyers, professors, engineers, executives, care workers, factory and shop workers, as well as students and unemployed, the retired and expats in UK or overseas, and couples in cross-cultural relationships.

I’ve counselled at an NHS hospital, a charity, a multi-cultural partnership and as currently in private practice.

As well as qualifications and my interest in people, I bring personal life experience to help you. I’ve had my share of life’s troubles too, and often been the “odd one out” as well as occasionally “the odd one in”! I’m from Glastonbury, and have worked in the quarrying industry, as a solicitor and as a part-time university teacher to UK and international undergraduate and postgraduate students. All my work has involved helping people progress, and I have wide experience of people’s relationships, personal problems, struggles and conflicts. All of this feeds my enthusiasm for helping people gain power and confidence, improve themselves and change their lives in positive ways best for them.

I offer short and long term counselling and psychotherapy. You don't need a diagnosis. The counselling I provide can help some medical conditions (inc. depression, addiction, sexual performance) and “well” people gain personal growth, better relationships, career progress or change, more happiness, meaning or purpose in life.

Everyone’s issues and journey in therapy are unique and I work in a way that is bespoke and tailored to each client. I don’t label people (e.g. as “depressed”) but will encourage you to explore and address your own unique individuality, whatever your history, and if you want to examine with you what fulfilment or improvement may be for you and how you may find more of these things. This also means that each person’s sessions are entirely bespoke and adapted to their wants and needs. Some people like to be “challenged”, some prefer mostly “support” or to find “answers”. I encourage regular feedback and reviews to make sure I am always working my best for you, in a way that suits you.

I consider helping clients through counselling and psychotherapy a great privilege and I look forward to meeting you and sharing at least some of your journey.

Special areas

The person-centered approach to counselling which I use means that clients do not need to have a medical diagnosis or label for whatever brings them to counselling. Everyone's issues, counselling journey and solutions are unique. The following are just some examples of the sorts of things that I have worked on with former clients:

Abuse
Addictions
Autism spectrum disorder related issues
Anger troubles (both being easily angered, and suppressing anger)
Anxiety and panic attacks
Career change and progression
Confidence/self-esteem/shame issues
Culture shock, inc cross-cultural business and romantic relationships
Cult related experiences, issues and recovery
Bereavement/loss
Depression/loneliness
Finding more meaning, purpose, happiness or fulfillment in life
Motivation
Performance anxieties (in work, study, relationships)
Relationship problems (including with friends, work mates, and sexual partners)
Self-harm
Sexual performance, orientation, anxieties, addictions
Stress
Study troubles
Suicidal thoughts
Trauma, long past or recent
Work-related troubles (meeting targets, a bullying boss, getting better motivated)

Accessibility Comments

I am currently working entirely online, and offer online video, online audio, and telephone counselling to individuals, couples and groups across the UK as well as to international / overseas clients.

I also offer counselling supervision.

I intend to resume seeing clients in person though have not yet set a date for this.

Further info

I offer online counselling and online psychotherapy to clients across UK and overseas.

Professional accreditation

I am an accredited Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - MBACP (Accred) - and also an individual member of the The Person-Centred Association.

Code of ethics

I follow the BACP's ethical code (see www.bacp.co.uk ).

Qualifications

I have a Master’s degree (with distinction) in Person-Centred Experiential Counselling & Psychotherapy Practice.

I also have an Advanced Post Diploma Certificate in Person-Centred Couples Counselling, and a Post Graduate Certificate in Counselling Supervision, and a clear enhanced DBS check. I have also trained in Solution-Focused therapy, though the main approach I use is Person-Centred.

My research PhD / doctorate is in modern approaches to enlightenment and is what led me to counselling. While most clients do not aim to become spiritually enlightened through counselling, nevertheless it has been my pleasure to help people attain life-changing realizations and make huge changes in themselves, their lives and relationships.

I've also amassed wide life experience of helping people of different ages, backgrounds and nationalities from my earlier careers in the quarrying industry, IT, law and university teaching. Much of my most important learning has been through life experience and suffering hard knocks as well as ups and downs in work and home life, rather than just reading books!

Place of study

University of Nottingham

Language(s)

English

Fees statement

My fees per 50 minute session for couples or individual clients having one-to-one counselling range from £50 to £70. I offer discounts for groups, block bookings, advance payments, to full-time students and to therapy trainees. Please enquire about counselling supervision, Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) work, corporate, and other organisation/business-related services.

Email Keith Abbott