Peter Plaistowe, BACP

Peter Plaistowe is a BACP counsellor with eight years' experience. He focuses on building a respectful, compassionate relationship so people can talk through difficult feelings. Peter offers both short-term and longer-term support depending on what someone needs.

He works with common concerns such as stress, anxiety and depression. He also helps people facing grief, loss and bereavement including bereavement linked to substance misuse. Midlife crisis, career changes, money worries and questions about life purpose are also areas he addresses.

Peter uses an integrative approach and draws on different ways of working to suit each person. He often uses person centred listening to follow what matters most to the client. Cognitive behavioural techniques are used when practical changes or thinking patterns need attention.

Psychodynamic ideas are brought in to look at how past experiences shape current feelings. Transactional analysis tools can help people understand patterns in relationships and communication. Peter aims to explain these ideas in plain language and then try what feels most useful.

He offers a short 20-minute phone conversation at the start to talk about needs and how to proceed. Sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time, and readers should confirm current session options before booking.

Therapeutic approaches and online working

Peter practises an integrative model and commonly uses person centred listening and cognitive behavioural techniques. Person centred work means the counsellor follows what matters most to the client and offers empathic, non-directive support; it can help when someone needs space to reflect and be heard. Cognitive behavioural techniques focus on identifying unhelpful thought patterns and trying practical steps to change behaviours, which can suit anxiety, stress and low mood.

He also draws on psychodynamic ideas to look at how earlier life experiences affect current feelings, and transactional analysis to clarify repeating relationship patterns. Choosing the right mix of approaches is a collaborative process - the therapist will discuss options and agree what to try based on the person's goals and preferences.

The original biography does not list specific online session formats, so please confirm the available formats before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, reduce travel time and allow shorter or longer check-ins depending on need. Many people find remote sessions help maintain continuity through life changes, and the therapist will adapt techniques to suit the way you meet.