Rob Manners
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Hi there, I’m Rob and I’m an experienced and qualified UKCP accredited Psychotherapist and Counsellor from Nottingham, UK. I run a successful independent practice which I established in 2015, in which I see people locally, nationally and internationally. I previously worked at the University of Nottingham Counselling Service for 5 years (working with students and staff), the NHS Nottingham City Hospital (Dundee House Diabetes Clinic counselling service) and was also a support worker for Autistic adults with additional needs and/or learning disabilities in my previous career at East Midlands Autism (previously NORSACA). I am also an occasional freelance Illustrator, Artist and professional Astrologer in training.
Although general attitudes towards mental health have greatly improved in recent years, there is still unfortunately a stigma about going to see a counsellor or psychotherapist amongst many communities - people can falsely assume that there must be something "wrong" or "crazy" about those that seek mental health support. This simply isn't true. Many of us visit the dentist to maintain on our oral health fairly, or the doctor/GP when we intermittently feel unwell throughout life - why not apply similar principles to our mental health with a trusted professional?
Attending Counselling and/or Psychotherapy is a very personal decision. Everybody visits for different reasons. There is no 'right' or 'wrong' / 'should' or 'shouldn't'. Sometimes there is a very specific concern or issue. Other times it's more a general 'feeling', you might have; perhaps of sadness or being unable to cope that may not make much sense to at the time. Sometime we may simply want to explore ourselves more thoroughly - to do a bit of detective work!
We may even have great support around us (family, friends etc.), yet still experience an overwhelming sense of isolation, or that something simply isn't fulfilling us. This isn't uncommon! Those who love us might have the best intentions, but talking to somebody completely removed from our lives can be hugely beneficial.
Whatever your reasons for seeking Counselling and/or Psychotherapy, it can be life changing.
My Counselling Approach
After over a decade in practice and many, many professional and personal learning experiences, I strongly believe in a Pluralist and Integrative approach to Counselling and Psychotherapy. Everybody is genuinely different and has individual needs, wants and limits when accessing therapy. I don't believe that any one therapeutic approach or modality holds all the answers and I aim to reject dogmatism in my approach to life professionally and generally. But I do believe in holding a strong philosophical basis of values, to which mine are:
- Kindness, empathy and compassion for self and others
- To encourage personal empowerment and authenticity in non-hierarchical terms
- The right for us all to hold an existential purpose and meaning
- To facilitate relational understanding and to be believed in our life story
I'm not the kind of therapist to passively 'sit and nod' (which is unfortunately a common perception of many counsellors and psychotherapists). I'll be conversing with you as a supporting figure, encouraging us to work together safely and collaboratively in exploring relevant past and present relationship dynamics, behavioural patterns, socio-cultural-economic experiences and sometimes even transpersonal themes that will inform your present issues and build a solid foundation for a healthier, more enriching future. My responsibility is not for you, but always towards you and I am committed to your personal development and mental health.
I originally trained in what's known as 'Person-Centred Psychotherapy and Counselling', which basically means that I work by building a professional relationship with each of my clients based on compassion, trust, empathy, genuineness and acceptance (plus a good laugh!). I value this approach and the core principles greatly, largely centring my work on them to this day. The science and date from psychotherapy research over the years clearly and consistently shows that the quality of the relationship between the therapist and client is what works, which I always prioritise.
It's often useful to discuss and collaborate on goals in the beginning stages of therapy, and I'll occasionally introduce the offer of exercises that work towards specific solutions if necessary. I don't follow a set method for this though and don't follow a strict or rigid cognitive and/or behavioural technique plan. My approach is much more fluid and catered towards what will uniquely work for you based on our conversations about what you value (or not), what makes you tick and/or motivated (and what doesn't), and also the patterns I observe and reflect back to you.
The key factor is that we work together cooperatively and I will guide you through the process, with the emphasis being that you are always empowered and in control.
The Counselling Environment
I work from my counselling room (see pictures on this page) which is situated on the first floor/upstairs of my home. It is a warm, private and safe space, on a small residential street just off Hucknall High Street (you'd never know there was a main road around the corner!). I do have wheelchair access into the house, however sessions would need to be conducted on the ground floor in my front/living room - please ask for further information if these are your requirements.
Transport Links
Transport links are very good, with the NET tram service stopping only a short walk away (3-4 minutes) and the Trent Barton 'The Threes' service stopping regularly on Hucknall high street, just around the corner from me. Specific information on how to get to me can be provided upon request.
Parking Information
There are several free and/or low cost carparks along the High Street such as behind the Lighthouse charity shop or slightly further away 'Piggins Croft' carpark, just off Yorke Street at the back of The Range. Many clients also choose to park at one of the large supermarkets nearby, such as Tesco (at your own risk - please check their signage).
Online Videocall Counselling
I've been facilitating online videocall Counselling and Psychotherapy for several years now. Whilst certainly not a substitute, I really see it as a different way of working and it is already fast becoming a new format for therapies in the NHS, charity and private sector organisations. It's been an incredible tool that has opened up my ability to work with international clients, those in different parts of the UK and those that prefer a blended approach of face-to-face and online work.
The basic principles remain the same as stated in the sections above. However, you will of course be bringing something of your own environment into the meeting too (or wherever you choose to conduct the videocall) and this can mean certain differences in the engagement.
Some of the benefits of online videocall counselling and psychotherapy are:
- Health and safety (during the Covid-19 pandemic, online videocall was legally the only option for therapy in the UK and ensured protection for many peoples health).
- Convenience (working online means that you can cut out the travel time to and from therapy).
- Broader media engagement (sometimes when engaging online it can be useful to have the means to share media directly, that is appropriate and beneficial to your therapy. This might be certain songs, inspirational videos, essays etc. that can be shared instantaneously).
- Ability to meet over a large distance (I've worked with people all over the UK and international clients; videocall tools enable clients to access a much broader pool of Counsellors and Psychotherapists that they want to work with)
Online Platform
I primarily use Zoom for my online therapy videocalls, although I can use Skype as an alternative. I recommend you download the Zoom app (which is free) to your preferred device (PC, laptop or mobile) and ensure you have the correct video and audio settings configured to your liking. Once you have an account, we can also add each other as a contact and call through the app when we are due to meet.
(Alternatively, if you prefer not to download the app and register your own account, I can send an email link 5 minutes before our scheduled meeting which will grant you access to the videocall with a provided passcode).
Online therapy is reliant upon a stable internet connection (and this is never 100% guaranteed!). Please ensure you have the internet bandwidth capacity for this if you wish to meet online
Privacy and Safeguarding
There is also the additional issue of privacy and potential safeguarding issues that may need to be discussed prior to online counselling. It's important to still have a safe, private space to engage in therapy - sometimes this is simply not possible from your home and face to face counselling may be more appropriate for you. There are several other things that may be considered to ensure you get the most out of our meetings - this can be discussed by email and/or an initial consultation. I will also send a further information sheet to you that highlights these considerations.
Training, qualifications & experience
My main interest in working as a Counsellor and Psychotherapist is to facilitate and encourage your personal empowerment, self awareness and sense of purpose and meaning in the world. I have a firm belief that every single one of us has unique qualities, values and skills that we can all access within our minds; new perspectives, and healthier relationships to ourselves, and others around us, that can lead a more enriched and fulfilling life (we might just not know it, or know how to get there, which is a perfectly fine starting point!).
I have an MSc in ‘Person-Centred Psychotherapy and Counselling’, having trained and qualified with the Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute (SPTI) between 2011 - 2015. I am a fully accredited member of the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapists (UKCP).
I was previously employed at the University of Nottingham Counselling Service for 5 years, working with students, staff, lecturers etc. and I previously worked in a multi-disciplinary NHS hospital environment as a counsellor for almost 3 years providing open-ended psychotherapy for individuals with chronic health conditions (primarily Diabetes).
Before this I worked for East Midlands Autism (Previously NORSACA) as a support worker for Autistic adults with learning disabilities (Autistic Spectrum Disorder [ASD] - but I don't like the term 'disorder' in this instance, so I refer to Autism as a difference in processing/being rather than a pathology) - I also have a brother who is diagnosed with Autism at age 5 and I am Neurodivergent (ND) myself for what it's worth, since being 'believed' and/or 'understood' is crucial in support ND individuals (or anybody!).
I have a lot of experience with staff and students from the higher education setting, working on themes such as anxiety, depression, self-harm, bereavement, perfectionism and procrastination. I maintain a trauma informed approach to therapy (including Post Traumatic Stress [PTSD] and Complex Post Traumatic Stress [CPTSD]).
I am interested in the interconnectedness of socio-cultural issues and power dynamics for which every single one of us will be affected by in some way or other (to greater or lesser degrees). I believe power dynamics permeate so many of our personal, family, work, societal and cultural experiences, in both overt and/or covert, subtle or unconscious ways. Understanding these dynamics can help to make sense of our own past and present experiences, towards finding greater self-determination, self-compassion, compassion for others and understanding our sense of meaning and purpose more broadly (and I promise this comes from the heart and not from the aid of some Artificial Intelligence [AI] tools, since you never can tell nowadays!!).
I have supported and acted as an advocate where appropriate for many individuals through bullying and abuse cases (sometimes institutional) and helped said individuals manage their mental health through these events. Abuses of power always exist at the centre of any bullying and abuse case. This leads me to another area of curiosity for me, commonly known as the psychology of 'Narcissism' (sometimes called Narcissistic abuse); whilst Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a psychiatric diagnosis, I do believe that 'Narcissism' is a valid descriptor of a set of largely unhealthy and often potentially dangerous human or organisational behaviours which the psychology field has made leaps and bounds in understanding this past decade in particular.
I am not interested in the demonisation of individuals, however I have stood as a professional witness in Crown Court due to the nature of these patterns of Narcissistic behaviour, so I understand the seriousness and damage caused by them. I believe it is important to help clients who are closely involved with/affected by narcissistic individuals, groups or organisational structures (such as a spouse, families, churches or employers etc.) to recognise and validate what they are experiencing, as it is often subtle, covert and manipulative, but certainly consistent and intentional. It is important to develop the strength and ability to value ourselves, know that we aren't going 'mad', to hold appropriate boundaries/distance, stay safe and contact the correct structural and/or legal bodies if/when necessary.
I also have an interest and experience in the area of family estrangement and do not judge those that have chosen to detach or distance from members of, if not all of their family system. I believe making such decisions are grossly misunderstood, even amongst many in the supporting fields unfortunately. To make such a decision is not done lightly, often builds up gradually over many, many years and can be an incredibly painful grieving experience. It can also often be the most significant factor in personal healing and growth.
I have worked with many, many individuals from across the world, from all walks of life and met some absolutely fantastic, beautiful people along the way and heard their stories. I'm hoping to meet many more!
A brief summary of my areas of experience include, but is not limited to:
- Higher education Counselling and Psychotherapy
- Autism, ADHD and other neurodivergences
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD)
- Childhood abuse (physical and domestic violence, emotional abuse and neglect, sexual abuse)
- Suicidal thoughts and/or ideation
- Self-harm
- Stress, Anxiety and Depression
- Relationship issues (I do not do couples therapy, although sometimes it might be appropriate/requested for partners to join intermittently which I am open to and can facilitate if it benefits you)
- Bereavement, grieving and loss
- Bullying and abuse (including Narcissistic abuse)
- Family estrangement
- Transpersonal themes, Jungian depth psychology (I am not a Jungian analyst), dream interpretations/symbolism and spirituality.
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
Photos & videos
Fees
£55.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
- Initial Consultation - £10
- Standard Session - £55
- (Student | NHS/Public Service Staff - £45)
(If you are unemployed or have a low income, I am happy to discuss alternative pricing)
I ask that all payments are made by bank transfer - I can provide details upon request.
When I work
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I currently work the following hours:
- Mon, Tues, Thurs: 8am - 7pm
- Weds, Fri, Sun: 8am - 1pm
Please contact me to enquire further about availability.
Further information
I will work with individuals who have significant secondary care issues (e.g. Schizophrenia, Bipolar) and/or diagnosed Personality Disorders, so long as there is a treatment plan in place and/or the condition is currently stable/managed.
During initial consultations, I will enquire about this information and any existing or historical support you have received. If during a consultation these issues are identified, I may offer to make a referral to your GP (with your consent), or signpost to more appropriate services to ensure your care and safety.
I do not work with couples (although, with your full consent, it might be appropriate to invite partners and family members to sessions intermittently if this will aid your therapy).
