My name is Simon Stafford-Townsend, and I run a private psychotherapy practice in Montpelier, Bristol.

I offer four approaches to therapy, each of which is suited to undertaking different kinds of exploration. To read more about each of these approaches, you can use the links below or in the sidebar to your right:

Brief therapy – a fixed number of sessions (typically between 6 and 24) with an end date agreed at the start of therapy

On-going therapy – a regular therapy slot, usually meeting on a once-weekly basis, with no pre-determined end date

Trauma therapy – a specialised therapy focused on stabilising symptoms for people experiencing post traumatic stress, and/or resolving trauma memories

Dream therapy – a specialised therapy, that can be brief or on-going, in which sessions are focused on dreamwork

If you need a bit of support in working out what approach you’re looking for, then I’ve designed a therapy decision journey that will hopefully guide you to an answer that meets your needs. All you need to do is click on the link that most appropriately answers each question I present you with.

If you prefer the idea of working these things out in person, then the best thing to do is book an initial consultation with me. In this session, we will go through what’s motivated you to seek therapy at this time, what you’d like to get from therapy, and what your expectations of the process are; if indeed you have any. To book an initial consultation, contact me.

And of course, you are welcome to call or email me if you have questions you need to address before you can feel comfortable booking an initial consultation.

In the meantime, please look around my website to get a feel for my style and approach. You’ll find information about my training and experience, and a lot of information about my core training; gestalt psychotherapy. I also keep a blog called le chat d’argent (the silver cat), where I write about things that interest me in a (sometimes only vaguely) gestalt/therapeutic vein.

Finally, Bristol Mind maintain a list of psychotherapy and counselling services in Bristol that are usually free or low-cost. Private psychotherapy isn’t for everyone, especially when finances are unstable, or you need the re-assurance of specialised expertise in a specific area that issue-focused support services can provide.

My main hope is that I can support you in discovering the best therapeutic situation for you; which is probably my approach to therapy in a nutshell!

Please note: I will be on paternity leave starting the week commencing 23rd April, and returning the week commencing 4th June; this will be a six week break from practice.

Best wishes

Simon

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