Debbie Keenan

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Doctor (Ongoing), MA, PGDip CBT, MBACP (Senior Accred), EMDR
Chepstow, Sir Fynwy, NP16 5EL

About me

'Awarded The Dean’s Prize for Most Outstanding and Notable Achievement, in the School of Psychology and Therapeutic Studies, University of South Wales (2019)'

MEDIA WORK

“Frequently cited as an expert, with appearances in over 250 articles across top news outlets, both nationally and internationally.”

"Appeared on Channel 5 news. See links here, here and quoted in The Times newspaper here".

Contributed to a Politics Home parliamentary publication examining children’s use of AI chatbots for mental health support, May 2026

Contributor and part of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy launch of their new national campaign, Outside View, with Professor Green, aimed at encouraging men to access therapy and mental health support and spoke on South Wales radio-www.outside-view.co.uk, April 2026

Interviewed as a relationship expert on iRadio, Ireland, February 2026

Contributor and expert peer reviewer, Parkinson’s UK Support and Counselling for Relationships and Sex booklet (28th of February 2026).

Collaborated with British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) on their nationwide media campaign,  offering guidance and support to parents of children struggling with their mental health, February 2026- https://tr.ee/vo01qc

A sample of my interviews below-

Interviewed as an expert for The Times newspaper (2025), Women's Health magazine (2025), HuffPost (2025) Huffpost (2025),  Anything Goes Lifestyle (2025)  Metro (2025), Yahoo!Life (2025), Cosmopolitan (2025), Daily Mail (2025), Therapy Today (2025), HELLO! magazine (2025), The Times (2025), The Independent (2025), The Daily Telegraph (2025) and Stylist magazine (2025 and 2024), The Irish news (2025), Women & Home,  The Guardian (2026), The Irish news (2026), Good House Keeping 2026

Several written articles published in BACP Therapy Today  and The Counselling Directory, October, November and December (2026, 2025 and 2024)

'Winner of several leading and outstanding ground-breaking Mental Health Awards and Achievements'

Hello, my name is Debbie, and I am a Senior Accredited, multi award winning Integrative Psychotherapist and published writer in the field of psychotherapy and counselling. Also, I am a specialist psychotherapist in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which is an  evidence-based trauma treatment, as well as Single Session Therapy (SST) and the Rewind Trauma Technique. I have studied counselling and psychotherapy for thirteen years now and am currently finishing my Doctorate Degree in Psychotherapy and counselling. The way I work, is to draw on different theoretical models to provide my clients with a tailored and bespoke approach to match their individual needs. I help clients gain a deeper understanding of their self by working through obstacles and difficulties, exploring why these may have arisen, and how to learn and move on from them. I know first hand how daunting it can be going into therapy, but even though making that first step is hard, it is undeniably a step towards healing. I will be alongside you every step of the way, offering warmth, support, an open mind and understanding.

In addition to having a Master degree in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy, I have two Post Graduate diplomas, one in CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), one in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy, and a diploma in Couple Counselling Advanced Specialist Diploma NCPS. I believe in healing the whole person, which includes the mind and body. I will walk alongside you to make sense of your experiences and explore new ways of being. In this way, I hope to help you gain greater insight and understanding of yourself.

How counselling can help:

I provide a compassionate, open, non-judgemental space. I want to support you in gaining a deeper insight into drivers of distress, overcome emotional barriers and find alternative ways to cope or bring about change so that you can achieve an optimum state of mental health and wellbeing. Please get in touch and take the first step in owning your future.

Training, qualifications & experience

  • Doctorate Degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy-present
  • Alongside my private practice, I work part-time in education and within the NHS as a Psychotherapist, specialising in complex trauma and providing therapeutic support to individuals experiencing a range of mental health and emotional well-being issues.
  • Certified Trauma Rewind Practitioner Training, April 2026
  • Advanced specialist psychotherapist in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, specialist trauma training, all four parts of training completed.
  • Single Session Therapy (SST), or 'one-at-a-time counselling,' is a focused, one-time session designed to address your top concern. You’ll leave with immediate strategies or insights. If needed, more sessions can be booked. SST is ideal for clients seeking counselling without long-term commitment. Trained by Professor Windy Dryden.
  • The Flash Technique – The Flash Technique helps clients quickly reduce distress from traumatic memories by pairing brief memory activation with a positive focus.
  • Several written articles published by the Counselling Directory, February (2026),  September and May (2025), October and November (2024)
  • Written articles published by BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) (2026, 2025 and 2024)
  • Couples Counselling Advanced Specialist Diploma NCPS (National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society) (2024)
  • Master Degree in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy, University of South Wales (2022)
  • Completed 80 hours of accredited online and telephone counselling training through the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), with a focus on ethical remote practice and client engagement.
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Integrative counselling and Psychotherapy, University of South Wales, 2 year study (2021)
  • Co presented and helped produce, in conjunction with Monmouthshire Educational Psychology Service, a training video to be used as CPD for educational staff on coping skills/strategies for managing anxiety -2020, and again in 2021
  • Post Graduate Certificate in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy from the University of South Wales in 2019
  • University of South Wales 2019, The Dean’s Prize for Most Outstanding and Notable Achievement, in the School of Psychology and Therapeutic Studies
  • Post Graduate Level 4 Diploma in CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), 2 year study, 2018
  • Level 2 and level 3 in Counselling Skills, 2 year study, 2016
  • Established a ground breaking provision  for counselling children within an educational setting in 2014, earning recognition and awards as the first of its kind in the field.
  • Honoured as the NIACE Monmouthshire Student of the Year in 2013, a prestigious recognition celebrating exceptional academic and personal achievement.

Achievements/training

  • As a school's Wellbeing and pastoral support leader, I led my previous school to achieve the Carnegie Centre for Excellence in Mental Health Bronze Award in 2019 and in 2020 my leadership saw the school becoming the first school in Wales to achieve the Silver Award.
  • Interviewed by The Chair of The Children and Young People's Mental Health Coalition, for setting up emotional check-ins, for staff in an educational setting, 2019
  • I successfully led my current educational setting, to become  the first school in Wales to attain all three prestigious Young Carer awards, setting a benchmark for excellence in supporting young carers.
  • As a Wellbeing Lead, I conducted comprehensive observations and evaluations of wellbeing provisions across diverse educational settings in Finland and Italy.
  • Collaborated with Cardiff University in 2019 by observing the delivery of my mindfulness teaching as part of a ground breaking PhD research project
  • Keynote guest speaker at MISP International Conference 2020, speaking about the importance of Mental Health Awareness and Mindfulness. Also, I have been used as an exemplary case study for other schools in the UK, on how to embed Mental Health awareness and cascade to all staff teams and pupils, Whole School Approach.
  • Authored and presented an autobiographical personal case study to the First Minister of Wales in 2019, showcasing the creation and successful implementation of a pioneering Whole School Approach to Mental Health and Mindfulness.
  • Counselling and mindfulness skills, level 3 Teacher/Trainer education qualification (PTLLS)
  • Counsellor at the University of South Wales Therapy Clinic, providing professional support to both NHS and private clients in a dynamic and diverse therapeutic setting.
  • Provided dedicated volunteer counselling services to individuals facing addictions, personality disorders and a range of mental health issues, delivering compassionate support and tailored therapeutic interventions.
  • Achieved the prestigious Lead Mindfulness Teacher Qualification from Oxford in 2019, signifying advanced expertise in mindfulness education and practice
  • Level 3 Award in Education and Training (PTLLS)
  • Advanced Safeguarding Level 3 Award

Read some of my Counselling Directory articles:

Member organisations

Registered / Accredited

Registered / Accredited

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.

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred). Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision. Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training. All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.

Accredited register membership

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Accredited Register Scheme

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.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Areas of counselling I deal with

Therapies offered

Fees

£100.00 per session

Health Insurance/EAP

  • Aviva
  • Axa Health
  • Vitality
  • WPA

Additional information

  • Face to Face therapy £100
  • Couple sessions £140
  • Evening  sessions availability
  • I offer both face-to-face and online therapy sessions across the UK and internationally, making it easy to access support wherever you are located.

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Early morning
Morning
Early afternoon
Late afternoon
Evening

Further information

I regularly attend training events such as Mental Health First Aid, The Freedom Programme, Domestic Abuse, Suicide Intervention, Child Abuse, Emotional Freedom Therapy, (EFT), ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences), and Family Support Training. 

I am a Senior Accredited Member of the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists MBACP (Snr Accred). This status means that my practice has met BACP's highest standards as a competent, ethical and independent practitioner. EMDR Specialist Trauma Psychotherapist.

I have vast experience and training in working with the following areas/people 

  • Self-regulation
  • Anger
  • Psychoeducation
  • Critical Inner Voice
  • Mood disorders
  • Panic attacks
  • Low self-esteem
  • Sexuality
  • Trauma and PTSD
  • Relationship issues
  • Health anxiety
  • Women issues
  • Men's issues
  • Teenage issues
  • Body dysmorphia
  • Stress
  • Deep rooted childhood trauma
  • Loss 
  • Transition
  • Low self confidence
  • Catastrophizing
  • NAT's (Negative Automatic Thoughts)
  • Learning and physical disabilities
  • Affairs
  • Dysfunctional vicious cycles of thinking and behaviour
  • Neurodiversity 
  • Sexuality
  • Bereavement 

The Wellbeing Centre, Manor House, Bank Street, Chepstow, Sir Fynwy, NP16 5EL

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Types of client

Children (0-12)
Young people (13-17)
Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)
Couples
Families
Groups
Employee Assistance Programme

Key details

DBS check

In England and Wales, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, formerly known as CRB) carry out criminal records checks for individuals working with vulnerable groups, such as children. To find out more, visit gov.uk , or contact this professional directly

Online platforms

FaceTime
Microsoft Teams
Whatsapp
RemotEMDR

Social

Debbie Keenan
Debbie Keenan