About me
Hello, I’m Kristian.
I’m an Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist with over thirteen years of experience as a therapist in NHS and charitable settings. I provide help and support to people with all kinds of difficulties; people feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, numb, lost or hopeless. People managing traumatic experiences, or finding themselves stuck in patterns, or with intrusive thoughts, worries or struggling with difficult emotions. I have a special interest in trauma and relational work, meaning I focus on the relationships people develop in the present and attachment difficulties they may have had with caregivers. I provide a space to process what’s happening now, what’s happened before building awareness of triggering behaviours and events before helping clients to develop coping strategies and skills.
I'm experienced working with adults and young adults facing a wide range of emotional and psychological difficulties. I specialise in supporting those who have experienced trauma, sexual violence, or domestic abuse, as well as those navigating relational patterns, attachment challenges or managing strong emotions. I also provide support for grief, including the loss of pets or animal companions.
I work with clients online, by telephone, and face to face, including walk or wheel and talk sessions in and around Abergavenny. I can offer brief, focused therapy as well as longer-term work for those wanting to explore themselves more deeply and get to the bottom of things.
If you feel we might work well together, please get in touch to arrange a free 30-minute consultation.
Sometimes change begins with a conversation.
How I Work
Therapy is most effective when it feels safe, supportive, and tailored to you. I am a Relational Therapist, which means that at the heart of my approach is the relationship we build together. I believe the connection in the therapy space is not just a setting for our work, but also an important part of it. The way we relate, the feelings that arise between us, and how we understand one another can reveal patterns in how you relate to yourself and others outside of therapy. We can explore patterns in how you respond, protect yourself, or withdraw, and see what happens when these patterns are understood or approached differently.
I bring myself to our work as a real person, not a blank screen or an expert who simply analyses you. I strive to be present, genuine, and fully engaged in supporting you.
Therapy is also a collaborative process, and your feedback matters. If something does not feel right or helpful, we can work together to find other ways of approaching it. This ensures that our work together is grounded in your experience, responsive to your needs, and empowering rather than just prescribed. Therapy is never something done to you, but something we do together.
I work in a Trauma-Informed way, recognising that overwhelming or distressing experiences can have lasting effects on how we think, feel, and relate. Therapy itself can sometimes feel exposing, and I aim to create a space that feels steady and respectful. You have real choice and control over what we explore and when. Often, we focus first on building safety and stability before addressing more painful or challenging material, and I check in regularly to make sure the pace and focus feel right for you.
Similarly, I welcome and work sensitively with Neurodivergent clients, recognising that different ways of thinking, feeling, and processing the world can shape both experience and the therapeutic process.
I am also an Integrative Therapist/Counsellor. This means I draw on theory and methods from a range of therapeutic approaches rather than following a single model. Integrative practice allows me to adapt my approach to suit your unique experiences and ways of making sense of them. As we work together, I listen closely and may offer explanations or ways of framing challenges, drawing on the approaches I am trained in. This helps us understand not just what is happening, but why it may be happening and how change can be possible.
My core training is in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and I’ve received further specialist training in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and many others. As a counsellor, my core training has been a mixture of Psychodynamic, Personal Centred, and Existential Therapies.
Training, qualifications & experience
I currently occupy the role of psychological therapist role within the NHS and counsellor with Cyfannol Women’s Aid - Horizon Sexual Violence and Domestic Abuse counselling service.
I completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy at the University of South Wales, where I am now completing my MA dissertation, which explores how therapeutic work with survivors of sexual violence and domestic abuse affects male therapists.
Before training as a counsellor, I worked as an assistant psychologist and psychological wellbeing practitioner in various NHS settings spanning adult primary care mental health services, community mental health teams, and acute mental health services. I later chose to move into a more client-focused role, which I find more rewarding and in keeping with my personal values.
I have also worked with children in schools with learning and developmental differences or disabilities, and with secondary school pupils experiencing emotional and behavioural challenges.
I have continued to develop my practice through various ongoing professional and specialist training courses.
My academic qualifications are:
- MA Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy (in progress – dissertation stage)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP accredited) – University of South Wales – 2025
- Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling Skills – University of South Wales – 2023
- BSc Psychology – 1st Class - Edge Hill University, Liverpool
Member organisations
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
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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Pet loss
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£55.00 - £70.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I offer sessions on weekday evenings, Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays to provide flexibility around work and other commitments.
Weekday Sessions (via Online or Face to Face In Abergavenny)
Single session: £60
Block bookings of four or more sessions: £220 (£55 per session)
Saturday Sessions (Online, Face to Face, and Walk/Wheel and Talk in Abergavenny)
Single session: £70
Block bookings of four or more sessions: £260 (£65 per session)
Please feel free to get in touch to arrange a chat if you'd like to find out more or have any questions.
When I work
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Further information
Other Ways I Work, Support and Can Help:
Walk/Wheel and Talk Sessions
I offer Walk and Wheel and Talk sessions in the areas around Abergavenny for clients who find it helpful to move and spend time outdoors during therapy. I also provide extended sessions to support clients who are working with exposure exercises or facing particular anxieties, allowing us to take the time needed at a pace that feels manageable.
Organisational Training and Consultancy
I also provide organisational consultancy for mental health and wellbeing. Across my NHS career, I have gained extensive experience designing and delivering workshops, training, and psychological wellbeing groups on a variety of subjects within mental health. I tailor sessions and materials to the needs of your organisation and staff. I have supported policy development through service audits and research, presenting key findings to executive boards and preparing reports for the Welsh government. My firsthand knowledge of how mental health services are structured and operate informs practical, responsive consultancy.
Individual Coaching
I have also supported and coached individuals in public speaking, emotional awareness and sensitivity, and managing high-performance roles. This work focuses on helping people build confidence, resilience, and effectiveness in professional settings.
A Little About Me
I find my meaning and balance through creativity and curiosity. I have a deep love of animals and the natural world, and I enjoy spending time with animal companions, reading, rock climbing, and travelling. I’m drawn to the expressive arts, and writing, acting, and reading are ways I explore imagination and human experience. I also enjoy cooking, learning new languages, and discovering more about history and different cultures.
