Peter Plaistowe

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Bereavement

About Peter

Peter Plaistowe works on stress, anxiety, grief, self-esteem, relationship concerns, trauma and abuse, career problems and depression using an integrative approach. He is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and has eight years' experience as a counsellor in the United Kingdom.

Peter uses a mix of person-centred, psychodynamic, cognitive behavioural and transactional analysis ideas to help people think about their feelings and behaviour. He focuses on helping clients reflect on past events to understand how these shape present reactions. That reflection is used as a starting point for change rather than a fixed plan imposed from the outset.

He has worked a great deal with bereavement, including bereavement linked to substance misuse, and with people feeling low motivation, work stress and long-standing low self-esteem. He offers both short-term and longer-term work depending on what each person needs. Sessions aim to be straightforward and focused on the issues the client brings.

In sessions Peter listens for patterns in relationships, emotions and thinking, and then suggests practical steps and ways of thinking that can reduce distress. He explains ideas clearly and checks with the client before trying anything new. He is comfortable arranging an initial 20-minute phone conversation to discuss what someone hopes to get from counselling.

People seeking help with guilt, shame, isolation, life purpose, midlife questions or money worries can bring these topics into the work. Peter works in English and does not take international clients.

Therapeutic approaches used in online sessions

Peter uses an integrative mix of evidence-based techniques and adapts them to each person's needs. Person-centred work focuses on listening and helping people to describe their experience in their own words; it is useful for building clarity about feelings and priorities.

Psychodynamic ideas look at how past relationships and patterns influence current feelings and choices. This can help when the same types of problems repeat across different situations. Cognitive behavioural ideas focus on practical changes in thinking and behaviour, often helping with anxiety, low mood and stress by trying small, measurable adjustments.

Choosing which approach to use is part of the work. Peter discusses goals, checks what feels helpful and adjusts methods as the sessions progress, so the client and counsellor decide together what to try next.

Confirm the available session formats before booking, as the biography does not list specific formats. Online sessions can make it easier to fit counselling into a busy week and reduce travel time. They also allow shorter check-ins or phone conversations when that suits practical needs, helping counselling fit around work and family commitments.

Topics Peter lists

• Stress and anxiety
• Grief
• Self-esteem
• Coping with life changes
• Relationship issues
• Trauma and abuse
• Career difficulties
• Depression
• Forgiveness
• Guilt and shame
• Isolation and loneliness
• Life purpose
• Midlife crisis
• Money and financial issues

Questions about Peter

Does he work with anxiety and stress?

Yes. He lists anxiety and stress among his main areas of work and has experience helping people manage those issues.

What kind of counselling approach does he use?

He describes an integrative approach drawing on person-centred, psychodynamic, cognitive behavioural and transactional analysis ideas.

How much experience does he have?

He has been working as a counsellor since 2017, which is eight years of experience.

Is he a registered counsellor in the UK?

He is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

Can I have sessions in a language other than English?

Sessions are offered in English only.

Does he see clients outside the UK?

He does not accept international clients at this time.

How are sessions arranged and what do they cost?

Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.

How do I get started with him?

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