Chris Ward

I specialise in working with creative people, particularly those involved in the performing arts, who are looking to try something different in the hope of realising their dreams.

• Are you hoping to achieve something difficult, that other people (and maybe even yourself) doubt you can achieve?
• Do you dream of another life, in which you are the person you most hope to be, if only anything was possible?
• Have you tried Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), or any other type of therapy and have found it only partly helpful, or entirely unhelpful?
• Do you identify as, or have been identified as having any of the following: Anxiety, Depression, Personality Disorder, Addiction? And/or identify as, or have been identified as Neurodivergent and/or LGBTQ+?

If you recognise any of the above, then I can help you determine, create and live the life you hope for. Potentially sooner than you might have thought possible

As a creative person myself I know what it is like to struggle for identity, acceptance and freedom in an uncertain and confusing world.

I also know that simply through talking with the right people, anything you can imagine is achievable!

About

I am a Solution Focused Brief Therapist with over 30 years experience of working in mental health. I am also a registered mental health nurse. My personal skills include dyslexic thinking, hyper-focus and attention to detail.

I recommend picking a therapist who specialises in one approach, rather than someone who says they use several. Here’s why:

• All approaches have been found to produce similar outcomes to each other when practiced well.
• The main factor determining which therapists tend to have the most successful outcomes has been found to be their level of mastery in the approach they use.
• There is a general principle that the greatest hours spent practicing one particular approach leads to the greatest degree of mastery in that approach.

I therefore choose to use a single approach, so that I can be confident in offering therapy with the degree of mastery needed to ensure the highest chance of a successful outcome, and avoid the potential pitfall of becoming a ‘jack of all trades, master of none’.

The most commonly practiced approach is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). It’s an effective approach, but doesn’t always work for everyone. I offer Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) as an alternative.

Why I use SFBT

• It can help anyone seeking change in their life, regardless of diagnosis, history and circumstances.
• It’s as effective as other approaches, usually in fewer sessions. This means less time and money spent on therapy.
• It’s often a more pleasant experience for all involved.

My introduction to the Solution Focused approach was through BRIEF, the world’s leading training centre. I have been awarded their Certificate in Solution Focused Practice.

I am a founding member of the Solution Focused Universe (SFU), a ground breaking online learning community set up and run by my friend and mentor, Elliott Connie.

I am a member of the United Kingdom Association for Solution Focused Practice (UKASFP).