Chris Wilson Counselling

Counselling, Psychotherapy and Focusing in Bristol and South Gloucesteshire

My name is Chris Wilson - welcome to my home page.

I have ten years experience as a psychotherapist and counsellor, with two practices in Bristol (one in Bedminster and one at my home in Filton). I have particular experience in Somatic Trauma Therapy and in a meditative practice known as Focusing.

If you're in difficulties, counselling could make a profound difference to your life. Perhaps you are reading this because you feel that the time has come to start making some real changes. You have nothing to lose, so why not try it? If you decide to work with me, I will suggest that you commit yourself to an initial 6 sessions and see if you're beginning to feel some benefits. Then you can just stay with it for as long as you need to, and we'll review progress at regular intervals. With a little help, you can transform even the most difficult problems into opportunities to live a happier, more satisfying life.

Typical 'problem areas' I work with

Post-traumatic stress resulting from accidents, violence or childhood abuse

Anxiety, including panic attacks

Low self esteem, excessive self criticism and self-doubt

Difficulties with anger and frustration

Depression, lack of motivation, feelings of futility

Mid-life crisis, sudden lack of confidence, 'losing the plot'

Relationship breakdown

Terminal illness, bereavement

Why do so many people seek help from therapists?

Most of us have 'problems' of one kind or another, so people often feel embarrassed about looking for help, as if it were a sign of weakness. But these days, society is putting us under enormous pressure to succeed, to be cool, to look good. Meanwhile, our traditional support systems (family, work, local community) have become more fragile, and employment has become more pressurised and less secure. It's perhaps not surprising that so many of us are turning to counselling and psychotherapy for help, because we are trying to cope with such high levels of stress.

There are plenty of therapists and counsellors in Bristol. Why come to me?

Because I take a strong stand against the modern drive to speed our lives up, to consume more, to use people until they burn out, to mechanise, de-personalise and 'fix' people as if they were just a collection of symptoms. The NHS sees counselling as a bit like a battlefield first-aid station, where they patch you up as quickly as possible and then send you straight out again to fight. But therapy can give you so much more than this: the space to unfold, to reclaim yourself, to be who you really are.

Browse my website to see more about how we could work together, including details of my training and accreditation, the fees I charge, and some answers to FAQs about psychotherapy and counselling, Somatic Trauma Therapy, and Focusing and meditation.

For further information, or to make an appointment at Bedminster or Filton, please contact me on 0117 979 0545 or email me at chriswilson@phonecoop.coop.