My name is Chris and I am a licensed BACP-registered counsellor based in the UK. Since completing my training over 10 years ago, I have been dedicated to supporting individuals navigating life and mental health challenges. My experience includes counselling adults, teens and children in one-to-one and group settings. Having now moved my practice online, I am excited to be able to offer the convenience and flexibility of online therapy.
My journey began counselling clients in an NHS mental health day centre, and later, for the charity Mind. This work ignited my passion for mental health recovery and I started working with clients using WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Planning) to develop personalised coping strategies. My background in mental health has helped deepen my understanding of human suffering, as well as our amazing capacity for growth and change when we choose to pursue a happier life.
I've also had the privilege of volunteering for Place2Be, providing counselling to children in a primary school setting. This early-intervention work was very rewarding and reinforced for me the importance of nurturing emotional wellbeing at every life stage. Working with children has informed and enriched my work with adults by deepening my understanding of the integral role our childhood experiences play in shaping us as individuals.
My core training as a person-centred counsellor means I place you at the heart of our work. I believe that you are the expert of your own story, and my priority is to provide a safe space where you can share, and feel understood, without fear of being judged. I will also work with you to identify any goals you might have, and together we can decide on a solution-focused strategy to help you achieve these. It is my hope that you will consider our sessions a safe and supportive place to explore difficult feelings and create positive change in your life.
Additional areas of focus: Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Trauma and abuse, Grief, Sleeping disorders, Attachment issues, Avoidant Personality, Blended Family Issues, Body image, Caregiver issues and stress, Chronic pain illness and disability, Commitment Issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Coping with Natural or Human-Caused Disaster, Emptiness, Family Problems, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Men's issues, Obsessions, Compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Phobias, Self-love, Social anxiety and phobia, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy
BACP Therapist - Registered Member MBACP #177838
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Christopher Macdonald. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Chris continues to be an integral part of my support network and contributes monumentally to my overall happiness. After just a few months of his help I now can't imagine not having sessions with him every week. Thank you, Chris, for always being there for me and guiding me through difficult times in my life.
Written on Oct 02, 2024 after therapy with Christopher for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, eating disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, and career difficulties
Thank you for everything you have done to date. I am feeling more confident in dealing with the issues that I know will come my way. I feel heard and respected even when it’s a very niche topic
Written on Sep 20, 2024 after therapy with Christopher for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, grief, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, self esteem, and career difficulties
Christopher Macdonald is a really good listener and a very empathetic, professional therapist. He seem to ask very insightful questions and summarises your thoughts in a way that makes you come to the conclusions you haven’t considered before.
Written on Sep 02, 2024 after therapy with Christopher for 4 months on issues concerning depression, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, self esteem, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
Chris has been great so far!
Written on Aug 14, 2024 after therapy with Christopher for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, self esteem, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Christopher is an ever-present, competent reference figure which shines a bright light onto some shadow areas of the patient's mind. His guidance is respectful of the patient's needs and tries always to give insightful feedback
Written on May 10, 2024 after therapy with Christopher for 4 months on issues concerning relationship issues, and coping with life changes
Christopher Macdonald has been really helpful. He's professional and also kind, which makes it easy to talk to him. From the beginning, his approach made me feel heard and understood, he is always on time and prepared. After a few sessions, I feel already better, and I look forward towards new sessions with him.
Written on Jan 02, 2024 after therapy with Christopher for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, self esteem, career difficulties, and coping with life changes