Robert Thomson

I work Monday, Tuesday ,Thursday and Friday. 

My first appointment is 9am and my last 4pm

Experience

I have worked for over 14 years as a psychotherapist for adults in Brighton and Hove: with the NHS in 4 trusts, the Rock Clinic, a substance misuse service , a cancer service and privately.

Education

My undergraduate degree was in Philosophy at Warwick University where I became interested in continental philosophy. I then took an MA in Existential Psychotherapy at NSPC. From there I took a Post Graduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) at Canterbury Christ Church University.

Skills

I continue to develop my therapeutic skills by regularly attending training courses in a variety of psychotherapeutic approaches. I also study philosophy, psychology and psychotherapy, my current areas of interest include mindfulness, Nietzsche and acceptance and commitment therapy .

Approach

I can work in a brief therapeutic way using CBT which can be useful when there is a distinct difficulty. Alternatively I can work in a more exploratory way using skills from the variety of psychotherapies I have trained in. This being useful with less defined difficulties.

The therapeutic approaches I mainly draw from are CBT, Existential Psychotherapy, ACT, Focusing, Mindfulness and Compassion. I am also influenced by the other therapeutic approaches I have studied.

My philosophy is that whilst each person is unique we share much in common.

As such I will vary how I work from client to client to suit their needs and the topics we engage with, to respond to their unique perspective.

As much as I will work with your unique perspective I also bring to our relationship all that I have learnt from my training, psychological and philosophical studies and experience with other clients.

The common thread through this will be a care for you and your viewpoint. This can enable you to make changes as you see fit.

My standard approach is to be led by you through our session and to collaborate with you in understanding and engaging with your world. At times however I can be directive if it seems useful to you.

At times I can offer you back your view of the world, to help clarify.

At times I can relate one part of your world to another, to help understand.

At times I can offer challenges to parts of your world to provoke re-engagement.

At times I can sit with you to feel the feelings that come up for you.

At times I can sit with you and explore areas that you find confusing.

At times I can offer techniques to help you deal with distress.

At times I can develop frameworks of your problems to help you understand and respond to them.

I offer a low cost first session so that you can experience therapy with me and see if you'd like to continue. 

When looking for a therapist, you may find it helpful to have a first session with a number to find the therapist that best suits you for what you are presenting