Helen Downs

• Hypnotherapy
• CBT and DBT
• Neurodiversity experience

About Helen

Helen Downs works on stress, anxiety, addictions, LGBT+ related issues, trauma and abuse, and related concerns using hypnotherapy alongside talking therapies. She is registered with the NCPS and has seven years' experience as a practising hypnotherapist and counsellor in the United Kingdom.

Helen focuses on straightforward conversation and practical techniques. Sessions combine listening with structured approaches that aim to clarify immediate problems and identify small steps forward. She uses hypnotherapy as one part of her work alongside talking therapies such as client-centred methods and cognitive approaches.

Her background includes work with people who are neurodiverse and those affected by the criminal justice system. That experience informs how she talks about addiction, ADHD and the stresses that can come with caring roles or long-term health conditions. She also works with relationship issues, grief, sleep and eating concerns, and career or life transitions.

In sessions she draws on psychodynamic ideas to notice patterns from the past and on DBT strategies to manage emotions in the moment. Practical skills and brief behavioural steps are used when helpful, and hypnotherapy is offered for clients who want it as part of their plan.

Helen accepts international clients and runs work in English. Costs vary by location and sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time. To start, people use the Talk to a counsellor online button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.

How Helen uses therapeutic approaches for online work

Client-centred therapy focuses on listening and helping the client lead the conversation, which can help when someone needs to talk through stressful events or relationship problems. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) looks at thoughts and behaviours and offers practical strategies to reduce anxiety and improve sleep or mood. Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) teaches emotion regulation and distress tolerance skills that can be useful for managing strong feelings and anger.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Helen will discuss options with each person and agree a plan based on their goals, preferences and what they want to achieve. The decision about which methods to use is collaborative and can change as therapy progresses.

Session formats are not listed in the biography, so please confirm current options before booking. Many people find online sessions helpful because they fit more easily around work and family commitments, can reduce travel time and allow shorter check-ins when needed. Registered or accredited professionals and therapists can adapt CBT tasks, DBT skills coaching and elements of hypnotherapy for online sessions to make the work practical and applicable to everyday life.

Topics Helen lists

• Stress and anxiety
• Addictions
• LGBT
• Trauma and abuse
• Self-esteem
• Relationship issues
• Family conflicts
• Grief
• Intimacy-related issues
• Eating disorders
• Sleeping disorders
• Parenting issues
• Anger management
• Career difficulties
• Bipolar disorder
• Depression
• Coping with life changes
• Compassion fatigue
• ADHD
• Abandonment
• Aging and geriatric issues
• Antisocial personality
• Attachment issues
• Autism and Asperger Syndrome
• Avoidant personality
• Blended family issues
• Body image
• Caregiver issues and stress
• Chronic pain, illness, and disability
• Co-morbidity
• Codependency
• Commitment issues
• Communication problems
• Control issues
• Dependent personality
• Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
• Dissociation
• Divorce and separation
• Domestic violence
• Drug and alcohol addiction
• Eating and food-related issues
• Emptiness
• Family problems
• First responder issues
• Forgiveness
• Gender dysphoria
• Guilt and shame
• Impulsivity
• Infidelity
• Intellectual disability
• Isolation and loneliness
• Jealousy
• Life purpose
• Midlife crisis
• Money and financial issues
• Mood disorders
• Narcissism
• Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
• Panic disorder and panic attacks
• Paranoia
• Personality disorders
• Phobias
• Polyamory and non-monogamous relationships
• Postpartum depression
• Post-traumatic stress
• Pregnancy and childbirth
• Prejudice and discrimination
• Process addictions
• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
• Self-harm
• Self-love
• Sex addiction
• Sexual assault and abuse
• Sexual dysfunction
• Sexuality
• Quitting smoking or vaping
• Social anxiety and phobia
• Women's issues
• Workplace issues
• Young adult issues

Ways of working

• Client-Centred Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
• Hypnotherapy
• Psychodynamic Therapy

Questions about Helen

Does she work with anxiety?

Yes. Anxiety is listed among the main concerns she supports, alongside stress and depression.

What kind of counselling does she offer?

She combines client-centred talking therapy with cognitive behavioural therapy and dialectical behaviour therapy techniques, plus hypnotherapy and psychodynamic ideas.

How long has she been practising?

She has seven years' experience as a practising hypnotherapist and counsellor.

Where is she based?

She practices in the United Kingdom and is registered with the NCPS.

Does she work in other languages?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can international clients work with her?

Yes. She accepts international clients.

How much do sessions cost?

Cost varies with location and sessions are provided through a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.

How do I get started?

Use the Talk to a counsellor online button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.