Chris Bygrave (my pronouns are He/Him)

Hi, I'm Chris. I am a qualified psychotherapist and I offer psychotherapy and psychotherapeutic counselling in Leeds and online. I see therapy as the co-creation of a warm, authentic relationship, in which we create the conditions to shine a light onto the wounded or neglected parts of the self.  This is a process that also encourages growth, helping you to becoming more in tune and at ease with who you are.

I can offer both short and long-term work together, but generally with the sessions being open-ended as this allows the work together to unfold at a natural rhythm, leading us towards the places where we can explore the roots of your difficulties. It is usually when working in some depth and in the context of a well-established relationship, that we begin to discover the underlying processes and core beliefs that have informed emotional development and relational patterns.

My approach is humanistic and integrative, with the therapeutic relationship placed at the centre of my work.  I also have an interest in psychodynamic, embodied and transpersonal theories and methods.  I see my role as a therapist as being less about giving advice or 'self improvement' and instead about empowering you to step into the entirety of yourself as a unique person.

Training, qualifications & experience

I have a Diploma and Masters in Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy, which I received upon the completion of an extensive, seven year UKCP accredited training programme with BCPC (Bath Centre for Psychotherapy and Counselling).

I received my foundation certificate in Psychotherapy and Counselling in 2014 and have been working in private practice since 2016, originally seeing clients in Cheltenham and Bristol. Additionally, I have over five years’ experience working with an agency offering counselling to 11-25 year olds and I have spent four years working for the Bristol Sanctuary, an NHS funded service offering emotional support to people in crisis and working closely alongside emergency services.

Finally, I have an undergraduate degree in Music and am interested in the many different and creative ways in which people express themselves.  I believe that words often fail to truly represent us and that healing comes about when we experience being understood and accepted at a deeper, unspoken level.

Having spent the majority of my life in the South West of the country (excluding a stint at university in Newcastle and a year spent studying in Adelaide, South Australia), at the beginning of 2024 I took the decision to relocate to Leeds, where I now live and run my psychotherapy practice from a The Practice Rooms, located in a peaceful square in the city centre.

Arranging a Session

Please get in touch if you are interested in making an appointment.  I am happy to offer a free initial 20 minute consultation over the phone to answer questions and discuss working together.