Ben Hughes
Psychological Counsellor
I specialise in:
About me
I am BABCP-accredited and have over 13 years’ experience working across NHS, local authority and private mental health services in the UK. I work with children, adolescents and adults who are experiencing a wide range of emotional and psychological difficulties, including anxiety, mood instability, trauma, dissociation and psychosis. My background spans community, crisis and specialist services. I bring a calm, thoughtful and compassionate approach to my work.
My core training is in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), with enhanced and specialist training in CBT for psychosis, bipolar disorder and complex trauma. Alongside this, I am trained in EMDR, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing and attachment-based approaches, including being a licensed Circle of Security Parenting facilitator. I am also a systemically trained Children and Family Social Worker, which strongly informs how I think about relationships, identity, safety and change.
I currently work within a Complex Trauma and Dissociation Service and a Family Help Mental Health Team in Children’s Social Care. Across my career, I have supported individuals and families in CAMHS, Early Intervention in Psychosis services, crisis teams, community mental health teams and specialist looked-after children’s services. This breadth of experience allows me to work flexibly and thoughtfully, tailoring therapy to each person’s needs, strengths and life context.
I speak:
Location:
Approach
My approach to therapy is integrative, collaborative and trauma-informed. I work holistically, taking time to understand how your thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations, behaviours and life experiences connect and influence one another. Many of the people I work with feel overwhelmed, misunderstood or stuck, and my priority is to create a space where you feel safe, respected and genuinely heard.
I draw primarily on evidence-based approaches, including CBT, EMDR, DBT, Motivational Interviewing and attachment-informed work. Therapy is always tailored to you — there is no one-size-fits-all model. Together, we develop a shared understanding of what’s been happening for you, what has helped you survive, and what may now be getting in the way. From there, we agree goals at a pace that feels manageable, adjusting as your needs change.
I value collaboration and transparency. I will be open about the therapeutic process, invite your feedback, and ensure you have choice and agency throughout our work together. Sessions may involve developing practical coping strategies, gently processing past experiences, strengthening emotional regulation, or exploring patterns in relationships and self-beliefs. Between sessions, we may also work with tools or reflections to support change in everyday life, always with care and consent.
Starting therapy can feel daunting, especially if you’ve had difficult experiences in the past or are carrying a lot already. My role is to walk alongside you with warmth, honesty and clinical skill, helping you build understanding, resilience and a stronger sense of trust in yourself and others. We move at your pace, focusing on what feels most important to you.
