Better Nature Therapies
Counselling, hypnotherapy and coaching. Northallerton and Guisborough, North Yorkshire
"Before I could release the weight of my sadness and pain, I first had to honour its existence."
Yung Pueblo
Counselling
I am an experienced counsellor and psychotherapist and have worked with adults and young people across private practice, schools and other therapeutic settings. My core training is person-centred, which means that I place great importance on really getting to know and understand you as an individual, rather than trying to fit you or your experiences into a particular model.
If you are looking for someone you can trust and confide in — somewhere you can feel safe enough to talk openly, make sense of what is happening and simply be yourself — I can offer you that space.
People come to counselling for many different reasons. You may be struggling with anxiety, low mood, stress, grief, relationship or family difficulties, a loss of confidence or self-esteem, or perhaps life has simply begun to feel overwhelming. You don’t necessarily need to know exactly what is wrong or have a name for how you are feeling. Sometimes you just know that something needs to change.
I also work integratively, drawing on different therapeutic approaches where these may be helpful. This allows us to explore not only what has happened to you, but the patterns, relationships, beliefs and experiences that may be affecting how you feel now. I have a particular interest in the relationship between our emotional and physical wellbeing and in helping people understand themselves with greater compassion rather than judgement.
I won’t tell you what you should think, feel or do. Instead, I will work alongside you, offering warmth, honesty and thoughtful challenge when it may be helpful. My aim is to provide a relationship in which you feel genuinely heard and understood, while helping you develop greater insight, confidence and trust in yourself.
"The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change."
Carl Rogers
Couples Counselling
As an experienced couples therapist, I offer a space where both partners can feel heard. My role is not to decide who is right or wrong, take sides, or tell you whether you should stay together. Instead, I help you slow things down and understand what is happening between you — particularly the patterns of communication, reactions and unmet needs that can leave both people feeling frustrated, hurt or misunderstood.
Relationships can become difficult for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes couples find themselves having the same argument repeatedly without ever really resolving it. Others have gradually become distant, struggle to communicate, have experienced a breach of trust, or simply know that their relationship no longer feels as connected as it once did.
Couples bring many different issues to therapy, including communication difficulties, recurring conflict, infidelity and loss of trust, intimacy, jealousy, parenting and blended-family difficulties, wider family relationships, work or financial pressures, and navigating significant changes in life or in the relationship itself.
An important part of my work is helping couples move beyond the argument on the surface to understand what may be happening underneath it. Anger may be protecting hurt; withdrawal may come from feeling overwhelmed or unheard; criticism may be an unsuccessful attempt to ask for reassurance or connection. When couples begin to recognise these patterns, it becomes possible to respond to each other differently rather than repeatedly becoming caught in the same cycle.
My approach to couples work is integrative and tailored to the particular relationship in front of me. I can help you communicate more openly, understand each other’s perspectives and needs, recognise patterns that may have developed over time, and explore what each of you needs from the relationship going forward.
For me, the aim of couples counselling isn’t to create a “perfect” relationship or one in which nobody disagrees. It is to help you understand yourselves and each other more clearly, communicate more safely and honestly, and make thoughtful choices about the relationship you want to build.
Hypnotherapy
I understand that taking the first steps in contacting a therapist for hypnotherapy can be daunting and you’re likely to have thought about your decision for quite a while! Maybe you’ve tried more conventional approaches in the past which haven’t worked for you which has led you to looking for alternatives?
My approach involves working with you and taking time to help you to make the changes you desire. I can use several established techniques such as: CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), Solution Focused Therapy, Health Coaching and Mindfulness. When these approaches are combined with hypnosis powerful and longer lasting changes can occur.
Hypnotherapy is a safe, natural and effective therapeutic technique that uses guided relaxation, focused attention and suggestion to help you access your subconscious mind. It can support change in thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
During hypnosis you enter a deeply relaxed state, similar to daydreaming, whilst remaining fully in control and aware. Your mind becomes more open to beneficial suggestions and insights, making it easier to address deep rooted issues.
These are some of the areas people come to me for support with:
- Anxiety
- Fatigue (long covid/CFS)
- IBS
- Sleeping issues
- Phobias
- Low self-esteem
- Depression
- Stress
- Panic attacks
- Chronic pain
- Weight loss
- Sports performance issues (adventurous activities)
Coaching
Craig uses a range of techniques to support clients including coaching often alongside hypnotherapy. However, he can support you just with coaching using the latest in coaching and psychological theory and practical application.
‘Coaching can be used therapeutically using approaches such as neuro linguistic programming (NLP) and motivational interviewing to name two but there are many options to explore.
Recently Craig has also undertaken NHS training to become a Healthy Weight Coach and has completed the IAPT (Instant Access to Psychological Therapy) training module to help people suffering with IBS (irritable Bowel Syndrome) and Long Covid Support.
If you would like to find out how health coaching could help you and to find out more please contact me for your free 15 min consultation.
Sport Performance Coaching
(Outdoor/adventurous activities)
Coaching can mean different things to different people. I offer coaching from a psychological perspective for individuals taking part in activities such as: rock climbing & bouldering, snowboarding and skiing, canoeing, caving and mountain biking to name a few.
Some issues that someone might come to me for include a fear of falling, performance anxiety, injury recovery or loss of motivation.
I offer online and face to face support. I can also work with you during one of your activities – please contact me for information.
Get in touch
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or queries, or to arrange an initial assessment appointment.
You can call or message us on WhatsApp: 07349324200
Email enquiries at: betternaturetherapies@gmail.com
We are happy to discuss any questions you may have prior to arranging an initial appointment. We will endeavour to answer your enquiry as soon as possible, and all contact is strictly confidential and uses secure phone and email services.