Chris Bygrave
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Hi, I'm Chris. I offer psychotherapy and psychotherapeutic counselling in Leeds. I see therapy as the co-creation of a warm, authentic relationship, in which we create the conditions to shine a light onto the wounded or neglected parts of the self. This is a process that encourages healing and growth, helping you to becoming more in tune and at ease with who you are.
I can offer both short and long-term work together, but generally with the sessions being open-ended as this allows the work to unfold at a natural rhythm, leading us towards the places where we can explore the roots of your difficulties. It is usually when working in some depth and in the context of a well-established relationship, that we begin to discover the underlying processes and core beliefs that have informed emotional development and relational patterns.
My approach is humanistic and integrative, with the therapeutic relationship placed at the centre of my work. I also have an interest in psychodynamic, embodied and transpersonal theories and methods. I consider my role as a therapist as being less about giving advice or problem solving and instead about empowering you to step into the entirety of who you are as a unique person.
Please get in touch if you think you would be interested in working together.
Training, qualifications & experience
I have a Diploma and Masters in Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy, which I received upon the completion of an extensive, seven year UKCP accredited training programme with BCPC (Bath Centre for Psychotherapy and Counselling).
I received my foundation certificate in Psychotherapy and Counselling in 2014 and have been working in private practice since 2016, originally seeing clients in Cheltenham and Bristol. Additionally, I have over five years experience working with an agency offering counselling to 11-25 year olds and I have spent four years working for the Bristol Sanctuary, an NHS funded service offering emotional support to people in crisis and working closely alongside emergency services.
Finally, I have an undergraduate degree in Music and am interested in the many different and creative ways in which people express themselves. I believe that words often fail to truly represent us and that healing comes about when we experience being understood and accepted at a deeper, unspoken level.
Having spent the majority of my life in the South West of the country (excluding a stint at university in Newcastle and a year spent studying in Adelaide, South Australia), at the beginning of 2024 I took the decision to relocate to Leeds, where I now live and run my psychotherapy practice from a room in a peaceful square in the city centre.
Member organisations
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.
As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.
UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Fees
£50.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I am happy to offer a free initial 20 minute conversation over the phone to answer questions and discuss working together, as this is sometimes helpful for people before arranging an initial session.
If you are a student or on lower income, please let me know as I sometimes have slots available at a concessionary rate.
Further information
I enjoy working with people from all backgrounds and welcome enquiries from all, regardless of age, gender, race or sexuality.
