- CBT methods
- DBT skills
- Hypnotherapy option
About Helen
Helen Downs, NCPS counsellor, has seven years of experience. She works with people who face stress, anxiety, addictions, LGBT issues, trauma and abuse, and related concerns such as low self-esteem and relationship strain.
She describes practical talking work that helps people manage difficult feelings and behaviours. Sessions aim to identify patterns that get in the way and try clear, manageable changes. Helen also uses hypnotherapy as one of her approaches when clients choose to include it.
Her background includes work with neurodiverse clients and within prison services. That experience informs how she responds to complex problems, addiction and trauma. She says this has helped her understand the practical pressures people face, and to keep sessions down to earth.
Helen combines different approaches depending on the issue. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques are used to spot and change thinking patterns. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills can help with intense emotions and regulation. Psychodynamic ideas are drawn on to look at long-running patterns and relationships.
Sessions are described as collaborative and straightforward. Helen supports people managing grief, parenting stress, sleep and eating issues, anger, bipolar and other mood concerns. She accepts clients from outside the UK as well as locally.
To begin, she asks people to complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule a first appointment. Payment is managed via a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
Therapeutic approaches and working online
Helen uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to help people identify unhelpful thoughts and try different behaviours. CBT focuses on practical steps and short-term exercises that can reduce anxious reactions and improve coping with social situations.She also draws on Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for emotion regulation and distress tolerance. DBT teaches specific skills for managing strong emotions, setting boundaries and improving day-to-day coping. When appropriate, hypnotherapy is offered as an adjunct to support relaxation and focus during therapeutic work.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. Helen expects to discuss goals and preferences in early sessions and to adjust methods together. That collaborative process helps pick techniques that fit the client’s needs and life circumstances.
Confirm the exact online session formats before booking, as the biography does not list them. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy around work, school or caring duties. They also allow shorter check-ins when schedules are tight and let people choose whether to use video or another format depending on comfort and bandwidth.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
7+ years
Listed in
United Kingdom
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, and related issues such as self-esteem, relationship strain and grief.
What is her therapeutic style?
Her style is practical and collaborative, using talking and skills-based work to identify unhelpful patterns and try manageable changes.
How much experience does she have?
She has seven years of professional experience and seven years practising hypnotherapy.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is listed with the NCPS and works from the United Kingdom.
Can I work with her if I live outside the UK?
She accepts international clients and offers sessions to people outside the UK.
Which session formats are available?
Please confirm current session options before booking as formats are not specified in the biography.
How are sessions paid for?
Sessions use a subscription payment that can be cancelled at any time; exact cost varies with location.
How do I start a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.