Benjamin Raffles

• Stress and anxiety
• Relationship difficulties
• Self esteem issues

About Benjamin

Benjamin Raffles helps people work on stress, anxiety, relationships, self-esteem, depression and coping with life changes using an integrative approach that combines several complementary methods. He is registered with NCPS and has eight years' experience as a practising counsellor.

Benjamin set up a low-cost counselling service early in his career and later launched a private practice in Somerset. He qualified as a counsellor eight years ago and has continued to work with a broad range of concerns since then.

His way of working blends elements from Person-Centred therapy, Gestalt and Transactional Analysis, along with influences from existential philosophy. Sessions focus on what the person brings to the room and on practical ways to look at problems differently.

In a session he listens to the person's experience and helps them try new ways of exploring issues. He treats the person as the expert in their own life while offering observations and interventions that may open up fresh possibilities.

Clients can expect direct, straightforward conversation and gentle challenge when it helps to move things forward. He works with short-term difficulties and longer-term concerns, aiming to help people find clearer ways to cope and make decisions.

Benjamin practises in the United Kingdom and conducts work in English. For anyone considering counselling with him, it is helpful to think about the specific issues you want to discuss before booking a first session.

How his therapeutic approaches work for online sessions

Benjamin uses an integrative method that mixes Person-Centred work, Gestalt and Transactional Analysis. Person-Centred work focuses on listening and reflecting back what someone says, which helps when someone feels overwhelmed or uncertain about next steps.

Gestalt techniques pay attention to present-moment experience and practical experiments in a session, useful for addressing avoidance, unfinished business or emotional blocks. Transactional Analysis looks at patterns of interaction and communication, which can be helpful for relationship difficulties and problems with control or boundaries.

Choosing an approach is a collaborative process. He will discuss the different methods and agree with the client which techniques to try first based on the person's goals and preferences. This helps to find a working style that fits the individual's needs.

Practical benefits of remote working depend on the formats offered, so please confirm current session options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit counselling into a working day, reduce travel time and allow shorter check-ins when needed. Phone work can be useful when bandwidth is limited, while video work lets the counsellor and client use visual cues during conversation.

Topics Benjamin lists

• Stress and anxiety
• Relationship issues
• Self-esteem
• Depression
• Coping with life changes
• Abandonment
• Caregiver issues and stress
• Communication problems
• Control issues
• Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
• Forgiveness
• Guilt and shame
• Isolation and loneliness
• Life purpose
• Midlife crisis
• Money and financial issues
• Panic disorder and panic attacks
• Phobias
• Self-love
• Social anxiety and phobia
• Workplace issues

Questions about Benjamin

Does he work with anxiety?

Yes. He lists anxiety, panic and social phobia among his areas of work and helps people manage symptoms and triggers.

What kind of counselling does he offer?

He describes an integrative approach drawing on Person-Centred work, Gestalt and Transactional Analysis with existential ideas added where useful.

How much experience does he have?

He has eight years' experience as a qualified counsellor and earlier ran counselling services prior to qualifying.

Where is he based and registered?

He practises in the United Kingdom and is registered with NCPS.

Can I work with him in a language other than English?

Sessions are offered in English only.

Does he see international clients?

No. He does not accept international clients at this time.

How much do sessions cost?

Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.

How do I start counselling with him?

Use the Talk to a counsellor online button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.