Jimi Katsis
Counsellor & Psychological Counsellor
UK-trained (30+ yrs) split between Bristol & Cyprus. I specialise in relational and vicarious trauma—the legacy of difficult family systems and the toll of caring for others. Deep, attachment-focused online care
I specialise in:
About me
I am a UK-trained psychotherapist with over three decades of clinical experience, now operating a dual-base practice between Bristol and Cyprus. My work has always been rooted in the belief that we don't exist in a vacuum; we are the products of the systems—family, professional, and cultural—that we inhabit.
Having navigated the move between the UK and the Mediterranean myself, I have a particular clinical interest in the "expat experience." Living abroad offers a unique kind of freedom, but it can also lead to a profound sense of dislocation. I help professionals, "helpers," and those in high-pressure roles navigate this transition, especially when the coping mechanisms that served them well for years begin to reach their limit.
My background is deeply informed by attachment theory and family-systems work. I see therapy as a collaborative investigation. I don’t sit in sterile silence, nor do I offer "quick-fix" slogans. Instead, I provide a steady, grounded presence where we can look at the "how" and "why" of your current experience. This is particularly vital for those I work with through Arkesie, my initiative focused on vicarious and relational trauma.
Whether you are an NGO worker dealing with the secondary "cost of caring," or an individual struggling with the legacy of a difficult family system, my approach is to look at the somatic (body-based) and emotional signals of strain. We work to understand how your nervous system has adapted to survive, and how we can move toward a way of living that feels more sustainable and less "on edge."
In our sessions, we pay attention to both your narrative history and the "here-and-now" of our relationship. With 30 years in the field, I’ve learned that the most profound shifts happen when a client feels truly seen and held in a space that is both clinically robust and warmly human.
I speak:
Location:
Approach
My approach is built on the understanding that trauma and chronic stress are not just "memories" we carry; they are physiological states that reside in the nervous system. When you have spent years navigating difficult family systems or working in high-strain environments, your body learns to adapt—often by staying in a state of high alert (hyper-vigilance) or by shutting down (dissociation).
In our work, we move beyond simply "talking about" problems. We pay attention to the somatic signals—the physical tension, the breath, the "gut feelings"—that tell the story your words might not yet have found.
A Relational & Systemic Lens I don’t view symptoms as "broken parts" to be fixed. Instead, I see them as survival strategies that once made perfect sense but are now beginning to fray. Drawing on attachment-based and family-systems work, we look at the internalised scripts you carry. Who did you have to be to survive your early environment? And who are you allowed to be now?
The Pace of Safety Because I specialise in relational and vicarious trauma, I am acutely aware of the risk of re-traumatisation. My style is influenced by Polyvagal Theory and somatic awareness. We work within your "Window of Tolerance"—finding that middle ground where you are challenged enough to grow, but supported enough to remain regulated.
What Sessions Look Like Therapy with me is a robust, collaborative conversation. I bring 30 years of clinical experience, which means I have a large "internal library" of psychodynamic, mindfulness, and ACT-informed perspectives to draw from. However, I am not a technician applying a formula.
Steady and Reliable: I provide a grounded space where even the most "overwhelming" experiences can be unpacked at a manageable pace.
Focus on the "Here-and-Now": We often look at what is happening between us in the room. This "relational" aspect of therapy is often where the most significant healing occurs.
Restoring Choice: The ultimate goal is not just symptom reduction, but the restoration of choice. Moving from a life dictated by automatic survival responses to one where you feel empowered to relate to yourself and others with compassion and clarity.
Whether you are seeking support for long-standing childhood trauma or the cumulative "wear and tear" of a demanding career, my aim is to help you build a more sustainable internal landscape.
Experience
Founder – Arkesie: Trauma & Psychotherapy Cyprus | UK | International | 2023 – Present I lead Arkesie, an initiative dedicated to relational and vicarious trauma. My work is three-fold:
Clinical: High-depth psychotherapy for those navigating difficult family systems.
Consultative: Reflective spaces and training for NGOs and "helpers" (medics, aid workers) exposed to secondary trauma.
Systems-Focused: Bridging somatic research with practical sustainability for high-strain roles. My therapy moves beyond symptom reduction to understand the complex environments my clients inhabit.
Psychotherapist in Private Practice Bristol (UK) | Online | 1999 – Present For over 25 years, I have maintained a robust UK practice. My longitudinal experience allows for a level of clinical "quietness" and depth built over thousands of hours in the room.
Specialisation: While starting as a relational generalist, my practice evolved into a focus on complex relational trauma.
Approach: I address deep-seated family-of-origin patterns and the somatic impact of chronic emotional strain. I work extensively with high-performing professionals and "carers" whose coping mechanisms are fraying under vicarious stress.
Clinical Consultant: Community & Organisations United Kingdom Parallel to private work, I have spent years embedded in voluntary and organisational settings.
Education
Advanced DBT Advanced CBT Trauma informed Mindfulness MA in Counselling Psychotherapy DIPSW social work
Services
Intro Call
Individual Session
Couples Session
Insurances
