Phil Brain

I am a psychotherapist and counsellor, working predominantly with a Person-Centred base which means I aim to support and empower you to find a way to make changes and feel better yourself. I do also integrate other models of counselling where appropriate and have completed a course in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. I am an Accredited Member of The National Counselling Society.
I offer a non-judgemental and compassionate, empathetic space to listen and discuss what is going on in your life. Whether you are looking for help with anxiety, stress, depression, abuse, relationship problems etc, or for self-exploration, looking for personal change and growth, we can explore how to best move forward. I am open to working with everyone.
I am a qualified secondary school teacher and have experience of working with children both as a teacher and with one to one counselling, I have worked with Pool Academy Cornwall for the last 12 months as a trainee and since I qualified which has enabled me to have a wealth of experience working with young people.
I will be working with local schools as a counsellor moving forwards. I am also happy to see Under 18s in private practice. I do hold a full and current enhanced DBS check.
I have experience of working with drug and alcohol addiction, chronic pain and health issues. I have personal experience of suffering from chronic pain and the impact this can play on life and mental health. Having suffered from chronic Sciatic pain for over a decade, including multiple operations I can offer true empathy and understanding of the multiple ways living with chronic pain can impact upon physical and mental health. I have attended a ten-week pain management program, developed by the NHS Pain clinic looking at the psychology of pain and the effects it has on people’s lives. This also included using mindfulness techniques to help with pain management. I personally found this to be extremely helpful. My belief in this means I am also happy to offer sessions exploring understanding of chronic pain and pain management techniques within sessions or offer a program of Pain management sessions for individuals or possibly groups as part of our Wellbeing service.
I can offer traditional Person-Centred counselling in a mutually agreeable venue, domiciliary, skype/facetime and telephone counselling. I can also offer the opportunity to work in an outside environment using Walk and Talk therapy or at a suitable location.