Chrissy Peel

About me

When life events, feelings, recent or past traumatic events become overwhelming, it can feel so hard to cope with things on your own and often hard to reach out to family or friends. But you don't have to do it all alone, we all need a bit of help sometimes and change is possible.

By offering you a safe, confidential, non-judgemental, empathetic space where you can talk freely and explore your thoughts, feelings and patterns, with someone who is trained to help you make sense of any issues or concerns, we can work together at your own pace, to find out what you need to make the changes you want.

As a military veteran who has served almost a decade in the armed forces and also many years in the corporate world, I really understand how life events, both personal and professional, can cause stress, anxiety, depression, feeling sad, panic attacks and trauma responses.

I feel passionate about helping people work through trauma and PTSD whether it's recent or historic events, supporting and helping them to move forward to live a happier and more fulfilling life.

"Trauma is not what happens to you, it’s what happens inside you as a result of what happened to you. Trauma is that scarring that makes you less flexible, more rigid, less feeling and more defended." (Dr Gabor Mate)

Using an integrative counselling approach means I can offer various theoretical approaches tailored to suit your needs, but you and what you need are at the centre of the therapy.

Training, qualifications & experience

CPD Certificate in Advanced Memory Reconsolidation & Flash Technique
CPD Certificate in Memory Reconsolidation & Flash Technique
CPD Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling
CPD Mindfulness Training
CPD Certificate in Shame & Trauma Informed Practice
OCN Level 3 Certificate in Working with Survivors of Sexual Violence (ISVA)
BACP Certificate in Proficiency
CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling (in progress)
CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies
CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills
Enhanced DBS Checked

I have specialist training and experience of working with trauma and PTSD, including with survivors of sexual assault, sexual abuse, domestic abuse and historic child sex abuse.

Client issues I have worked with include: anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, flashbacks, night-terrors, panic attacks, sleeping issues, EUPD, anger issues, self-harm, alcohol / drug abuse, eating disorders, low self-esteem / confidence issues, shame, sadness, loneliness / isolation, sexual issues, relationship/communication issues, disconnection, body image issues, loss and grief.

As a trauma informed therapist, I use the Trauma Informed Model and I am also trained in the Flash Technique (FT).

FT is a recently developed and minimally intrusive therapeutic intervention for reducing the distress associated with traumatic or disturbing memories. Unlike many conventional trauma therapy interventions, FT does not require clients to consciously engage with the traumatic memory. This allows traumatic memories to then be processed with further talking therapy, without having to connect with the overwhelming feelings of trauma.

FT can help children and adults of all ages and can help with many presenting issues including but not limited to, anxiety, OCD, mild and severe dissociation and depression, as well as trauma.

Working in private practice on the outskirts of Aylesbury, I have created a light therapy space from my conservatory room at home, accompanied by my therapy companion dog, who is small, quiet, friendly and hypoallergenic. I have a side access for face to face clients, with roadside parking available. I am also trained and experienced in offering online sessions via Zoom.

In addition I work for a sexual assault and abuse support services charity that covers the Aylesbury Vale and Milton Keynes areas, working with survivors of sexual violence, domestic abuse, domestic violence, coercive control, rape and historic child sex abuse. I also have experience of working as an ISVA (Independent Sexual Violence Advisor), supporting agency clients going through the Criminal Justice Process.

Member organisations

Accredited register membership

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Areas of counselling I deal with

Other areas of counselling I deal with

Disturbing memories

Therapies offered

Photos & videos

Fees

£50.00 per session
Free initial in-person or online session

Concessions offered for

Keyworkers
Trainee counsellors

Additional information

I offer an initial 30 minute consultation which is free of charge.

This is either face to face or via zoom, depending on what format you would like for your counselling sessions, (hybrid - face to face / zoom combination is also an option for sessions).

This gives you an opportunity to tell me a little more about what has brought you to therapy and what help / support you would like from me.

It also gives me a chance to share a little about how I work and what I can or cannot offer you. We can also explore how we might work together, and experience the environment we would be working in.

Our therapeutic relationship is really key to any therapy, so this will give us a chance to see if we would both like to work together, and to see if I am the right therapist for you and what you need.

After the initial consultation, the sessions would be weekly and last 50 minutes.

Fees can be paid via preferably by BACS or bank transfer. I do accept cash (if in person and notified in advance). Payment is required 24 hours prior to the appointment or at the beginning of the session (if by cash in person).