Helen Downs, NCPS

Helen Downs helps people facing stress, anxiety, addictions and trauma. She also supports those dealing with depression, bipolar features, grief and low self-esteem. Parents worried about sleeping or eating problems, intimacy or relationship strain will find practical help. Helen works with issues linked to ADHD, compassion fatigue and LGBT concerns.

Helen uses a mix of talking therapy and hypnotherapy in her work. She has seven years of experience as a practising hypnotherapist and longer professional practice supporting people in challenging settings. Her offered approaches include client-centred work, cognitive behavioural techniques, dialectical behaviour ideas, psychodynamic thinking and hypnotherapy.

Her style is straightforward and respectful. Helen aims to make difficult topics easier to talk about. Sessions focus on small, manageable steps and real-life strategies that people can try between meetings.

Helen has worked with people who are neurodiverse and those affected by the criminal justice system. That background means she is used to addressing complex problems where mental health, diversity and addiction overlap. She also supports carers and those coping with chronic illness and ageing concerns.

She asks people to expect a collaborative process. Together they identify clear goals and practical ways to reach them. To begin, people complete a short questionnaire and then schedule sessions based on availability.

Approaches that guide online sessions

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on the person rather than the problem. The therapist offers empathy and listens carefully to help people find their own solutions and build self-trust. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, breaks problems into thoughts, feelings and actions and teaches practical skills to change unhelpful patterns. It is often used for anxiety, low mood and coping with life changes.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Helen will discuss different options and try methods that fit the person's goals and preferences. This is a collaborative process where the therapist and client review what helps and adjust the plan over time.

Please confirm which session formats are available before booking, since the biography does not list specific options. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy around work, childcare and travel, and they allow people to meet from a convenient location. They can also let someone choose a shorter check-in or a phone call when video is not practical. Registered or accredited professionals can help tailor a rhythm and style that suit everyday life.