Peter Plaistowe, BACP

Peter Plaistowe is a qualified counsellor who has worked with clients since 2017, building a practice founded on compassion, respect and careful listening. He creates a welcoming space where people can explore their thoughts, feelings and life experiences without judgement, and he frames that reflective work as the starting point for change. Peter has substantial experience supporting people with depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, work-related difficulties, lack of motivation and bereavement, including a speciality in bereavement following substance misuse.

Working as an integrative counsellor, Peter draws on elements from several evidence-informed approaches to tailor therapy to each person’s needs. He uses person-centred methods to prioritise the client relationship and emotional safety, cognitive behavioural techniques to address unhelpful thinking and behavioural patterns, psychodynamic ideas to explore past influences, and transactional analysis to clarify interpersonal roles and communication. He offers both short-term and long-term therapy depending on whether a situation calls for focused support or deeper exploration.

Peter believes choosing a counsellor can feel daunting and aims to make that first step easier. He is a member of BACP - the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - which indicates adherence to national professional standards. He is also willing to arrange a free 20-minute phone call to discuss needs and help determine whether his approach feels like a good fit.

Evidence-informed approaches and online therapy options

Peter commonly uses person-centred work, which focuses on listening with empathy and helping people feel understood so they can uncover their own solutions; this approach is helpful for building self-esteem, processing grief and navigating life changes. He also draws on cognitive behavioural therapy, which looks at how thoughts, feelings and behaviours interact and offers practical strategies to reduce anxiety, manage low mood and change unhelpful patterns. Additionally, psychodynamic ideas are used when exploring how past experiences influence current relationships and emotional responses, which can be useful for longer-term self-understanding and healing.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the therapeutic journey. Peter works collaboratively with clients to identify which techniques fit their needs, goals and preferences, adapting methods over time as understanding grows. Therapy is a shared process where the direction is guided by the client’s priorities.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can take place by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging - making it easier to schedule around work, family commitments or mobility considerations. Working remotely allows registered professionals to provide consistent, accessible support so clients can engage in meaningful therapeutic work from wherever they are located in the United Kingdom.