Chris Masterton

Psychotherapeutic Counsellor

Life can be tough. Talking can help.
Psychotherapy in central Reading, Berkshire.

© Chris Masterton. All rights reserved.

Approach

Therapy works by inviting you to talk about whatever comes to your mind, starting an intuitive process, which does not involve fixed tasks or homework.Through examining the way our stories, and how we tell them, affect how we live, our problems can be transformed.We are amazingly complex, and it is not possible to know what path a course of therapy might take. Open-ended talking therapy offers a unique opportunity to spaciously explore who you are in a relationship that is radically different to any other. However, if this is not the right time for you to embark on long-term therapy, we can discuss working in a time-limited way, usually over a minimum of 6 weeks.I hold confidentiality, curiosity, and consistency as key values in my work.I believe that conversion therapy is harmful and I work in a way that is affirming of LGBTQIA+ perspectives.I recognise that systemic racism affects mental health and the therapeutic relationship, and view my work in addressing these inequities as ongoing.Sessions last 50 minutes.

Problems I Work With

It’s not always easy to know what exactly what’s wrong, in which case therapy can be a good place to explore what might be going on. However, sometimes we do have an idea of what is getting in our way. Therapy may help you to manage the burden of many problems and challenges, including, but not limited to:

  • Abuse

  • Anger

  • Anxiety

  • Bereavement

  • Climate anxiety

  • Coming out

  • Depression

  • Family problems

  • Identity and values (including veganism)

  • Inhibition

  • LGBTQIA+ issues

  • Life changes

  • Loneliness

  • Low self-esteem

  • Men's issues

  • Neurodiversity

  • Overwhelm

  • Phobias

  • Political anxiety

  • Procrastination

  • Relationship issues

  • Stress

  • Work

  • Worry

Training and Experience

I undertook my postgraduate clinical training over four years at the University of Oxford. This master’s qualification forms the foundation from which I continue to develop and learn as a therapist.My career, spanning education, social care and psychotherapy, has given me the privilege for over a decade of exploring the human condition with a wide variety of people with diverse aims and challenges.I am a member of and work in accordance with the ethical guidelines of the UKCP and the BACP.

Location and Cost

I work from rooms in central Reading. I am able to offer sessions from a ground-floor room, although toilets are located in the basement.If you would like to arrange a free phone call to discuss meeting for an initial session, please send an email by clicking ‘enquire’ below.The fee for the first session is £55, and the rate for ongoing sessions can be discussed in this initial meeting.I accept payment by card in the session or by BACS.

Enquire

Please contact me using the form below if you would like to arrange an initial phone call. If appropriate, we can arrange to meet for a session, after which we can decide if I am the right person to help you. Please read the Privacy Notice below before submitting an enquiry.