Helen Downs , NCPS

Helen Downs is a UK-based therapist who brings seven years of professional experience to her work, holding the NCPS credential, which is a recognised professional qualification in counselling and psychotherapy. She has spent much of her practice supporting people with stress and anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, and LGBT-related concerns, and she combines hypnotherapy experience with evidence-informed talking therapies to tailor support to each person's needs.

Helen has developed a particular competence working with neurodiverse clients and those navigating ADHD, drawing on both professional and personal insight to make therapy accessible and practical. Her practice also includes work within prison services, where she supports people and families affected by the criminal justice system and the common mental health, diversity and addiction challenges that arise in that setting.

She believes in treating every person with respect, sensitivity and compassion, and in creating a collaborative dialogue that helps people plan and move toward a more fulfilling life. Helen emphasises that setbacks and past struggles can be reframed as part of personal growth, and she supports clients through practical planning and emotional exploration as they rediscover their priorities and sense of self.

Helen accepts clients in the United Kingdom and internationally, offering a range of options for connecting and arranging ongoing support.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Support

Helen integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) into online sessions to help clients identify unhelpful thinking patterns and develop practical skills for managing anxiety, low mood, stress and addictive behaviours. CBT focuses on changing thoughts and behaviours in partnership with the client to produce measurable changes in daily life.

She also uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) techniques when clients need practical tools for emotional regulation, distress tolerance and improving relationships. DBT offers structured skills that can be practised between sessions and adapted to different life challenges.

Hypnotherapy is another part of her toolkit, applied in a focused and collaborative way to support issues such as habit change, stress reduction, and sleep difficulties. In hypnotherapy sessions she guides clients through relaxation and imagery techniques to reinforce therapeutic goals.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process - Helen works with each person to identify which methods fit their needs, goals and preferences, and adapts treatment over time as progress and priorities evolve.

Online therapy with Helen is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging, providing flexibility to fit therapy into busy schedules and to connect from different locations. These options make it easier to access consistent support while balancing work, family and other commitments.