Neil Keenan

I'm a UKCP Registered Psychotherapist and Certified Transactional Analyst working with adults and I'm a trainer of psychotherapists at a training centre just north of Bristol. In my practice, I meet in person with clients living locally, as well as online with people who live outside of the area. 

In recent years, my private practice has focussed on working with people in positions of senior leadership in commercial organisations, government, education, and in the third sector. A second area of my specialist work has been working with people identifying or diagnosed as having high-functioning autism and other neurodivergent thinking styles.

Clients in leadership

Senior roles in organisations bring unique challenges that are peculiar to leadership and management, and they can create social and relational isolation. Discretion and confidentiality are of great importance to my clients in light of the niche they often occupy within their organisations.

I am often contacted by leaders who have gained benefit from coaching sessions, and who want to explore further aspects of themselves or their lives that fall outside of the scope of coaching. I provide therapy with such clients that enables them to continue supporting coworkers who are relying on them, while also allowing them to address the issues they're bringing to therapy and to make the changes they want to see in themselves and their lives. In addition to working with current leaders, I meet in therapy sessions with those who have recently retired and are working out how to move into the next stage of their lives.

Neurodiversity and high-functioning autism

My second specialist are of work is with people who identify or are diagnosed as having high-functioning autism and other neurodivergent thinking styles. 'Standard' psychotherapy often doesn't suit this client group, and sometimes can be unhelpful. I make no assumptions about how neurodivergent clients mentally and emotionally process life events. Often, clients express relief at being able to explain their thinking style to me and for their explanation to be welcomed and accepted. If you identify yourself as mentally processing in a way that is very different to the majority, I'll work with you to adapt the therapeutic process to meet your individual needs. I've observed many times how this cooperative way of developing a personally-tailored therapeutic approach creates an environment where neurodivergent thinkers successfully address the challenges they bring to therapy.

My specialist training and work with clients who have high-functioning autism (Asperger Syndrome) has helped many people and has been reported in the national press: www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5923425/Failed-NHS-Lukes-autism-left-suicidal-hes-thriving.html.

Therapy for individuals

People can feel overwhelmed as they move into the next stage of their life, which brings new challenges. Some find they are repeating past mistakes, which are emotionally painful, but they do not know how to do things differently.

My clients are sometimes experiencing crisis in their life and seek support to help them to make changes to habitual and intrusive feelings and thoughts that limit their joy. Such thoughts and feelings can lead to behaviour that damages relationships and the quality of life. Such issues include:

• depression or the absence of joy
• anxiety
• stress and managing work, family and personal commitments
• unfulfilling family relationships
• lack of meaning or purpose in life
• low self-esteem and confidence
• bereavement
• and confusion regarding sexual orientation and gender.

You can explore and resolve these issues in psychotherapy, resulting in real changes in the your way of life, improved relationships and an ability to maintain joy in the face of current problems and pressures. 

Therapy for couples

I have much experience working with couples, and I understand that the way people experience themselves in a relationship is often very different to how they feel when with friends and other family members.

This means that the counselling needs to be tailored to meet the needs of each individual in the relationship, as well as the needs of the relationship itself, so it can flourish and provide an environment where you experience joy in life and in one another.

Professional standards

I work closely with clinical supervisors and, when necessary, other outside agencies, such as GPs, schools and local mental health professionals. I always consult with clients and work with them when advocating on their behalf to outside agencies. I follow the codes of ethics of the European Association for Transactional Analysis (EATA) and the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP). I am a Certified Transactional Analyst registered with the United Kingdom Association for Transactional Analysis, and I am accredited as a Psychotherapist by the UKCP. I'm endorsed by EATA to train and supervise psychotherapists, and I'm Director of Training at The Wyvern Institute of Psychotherapy & Counselling in Bristol. The Wyvern Institute is a Registered Training Establishment of the United Kingdom Association for Transactional Analysis and regulated by the UKCP.

£120 per 50-minute session for individuals

£160 per 75-minute session for couples