D R Downes & Associates

D R Downes & Associates Supporting your Mental Health & Wellbeing. Providing psychotherapy and coaching services for adults. Approved by leading Private Healthcare specialists.

With consulting rooms in the Canary Wharf E14, Chester CH4 and UK-wide remotely. At D R DOWNES & ASSOCIATES our Adult Psychotherapy & Coaching Services create and inspire positive change not only in our own lives but in the lives of others.

"The Healing Power of Art: Supporting Creativity for ADHD Well-Being" 🎨✨ As a Therapeutic ADHD Coach at D R Downes Consu...
27/03/2025

"The Healing Power of Art: Supporting Creativity for ADHD Well-Being" 🎨✨

As a Therapeutic ADHD Coach at D R Downes Consulting, I’ve witnessed the incredible power of reconnecting with creativity, especially for those navigating ADHD. 🧠 Painting isn’t just an art form—it’s a therapeutic tool that helps focus the mind, calm the chaos, and release pent-up energy in a healthy way. 🌿🎨

For many, it provides a unique form of self-expression that words can't always capture, nurturing mental health and fostering peace within. 💖

"I’m incredibly proud of one of my clients who created this beautiful piece and has graciously agreed to share the joy and positive emotions she felt throughout her creative journey. Let’s show her some kindness and support as she recognizes her own gift and worth. Please share your thoughts—does this piece resonate with you and if it were for sale how much would you value it? 🖼️💬"

🌟 Let these weekly tips be your guide on a journey of self-discovery and reflection. ✨ Each week brings a chance to unlo...
20/03/2025

🌟 Let these weekly tips be your guide on a journey of self-discovery and reflection. ✨ Each week brings a chance to unlock new perspectives and insights, allowing you to dive deep into your thoughts and emotions. 💭💡 Embrace this opportunity to connect with your inner self and unleash the best version of you. 🌿💖 As you follow the guidance, you'll gain clarity, wisdom, and a deeper sense of awareness. 🌈🧘‍♂️

Week 1: As you sit here right now, what sensations do you notice in your body?

Do you feel any tension in your shoulders, a sense of warmth in your hands, or a lightness in your chest? Perhaps there’s a subtle tingling, a gentle pulse, or even a sense of ease and relaxation.

Simply observe without judgment—just notice. 🌿✨

Take a moment to jot down these sensations in a notebook or journal. 📖✍️ Reflect on any thoughts or emotions they bring up. This simple practice of awareness can help you deepen your connection with yourself and cultivate mindfulness. 💙

www.drdownes.co.uk

🌸 Healing my pain from within: Personal journey of regulating Fibromyalgia pain🌸I’m Rebecca Downes a Co-founder of D R D...
06/03/2025

🌸 Healing my pain from within: Personal journey of regulating Fibromyalgia pain🌸

I’m Rebecca Downes a Co-founder of D R Downes & Associates and a practicing therapist. Although, I’ve dedicated my life to helping others navigate their emotional and mental health. But what many don’t know is that I also live with fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition that affects my body every single day.

Living with fibromyalgia can sometimes feel like I’m trapped in my own body. The pain, the fatigue, the never-ending cycle of discomfort—it can wear you down, mentally and emotionally. But over time, I’ve learned that healing isn't just about managing the physical pain. It's also about how I respond to it emotionally. 💖

One thing that has truly made a difference for me is training and practicing Somatic Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). At first, I wasn’t sure what it was, but now I can honestly say it’s been a game-changer. It’s about more than just talking through emotions—it’s about connecting to your body and learning how emotional and physical pain are linked. 🌿

Here’s how it’s helped me:

🌱 Listening to My Body: Fibro often makes my body feel like it's constantly in a state of tension. Somatic CBT helped me tune into these signals—tight shoulders, clenched jaw, shallow breathing—and realize how much my emotions were contributing to my pain. By recognizing these patterns, I’ve learned how to release them instead of letting them build up. 🧘‍♀️

🌬️ Breathing Through the Pain: When the pain is unbearable, I use grounding techniques and deep breathing exercises. I imagine myself sinking into the earth, feeling safe and calm. It sounds simple, but this has really helped me take a step back from the pain and manage it more effectively. 🌍💫

💭 Releasing Stored Emotions: One of the most powerful parts of Somatic CBT is learning how to release the emotional tension that gets stuck in my body. Sometimes, the pain isn’t just physical—it’s years of stress, sadness, or frustration that my body has held onto. By working through these emotions, I feel lighter, more in control, and less overwhelmed. 💖

💪 Building Emotional Resilience: As I practice these techniques, I feel more in control of my body and emotions. The pain is still there, but I’ve learned how to respond to it with patience and compassion instead of fear or frustration. That shift has made all the difference. 🌻

I still have hard days, but I now know that healing doesn’t just come from medicine or treatments—it also comes from understanding and caring for my emotions. Fibromyalgia doesn’t define me, and I’m learning that I don’t have to let the pain control me. ❤️

Now, as a therapist who’s walked this path, I’m passionate about helping others who are facing similar challenges. Whether it’s chronic pain, stress, or emotional struggles, I believe that we can all find ways to heal—together.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stuck in your own journey, know that you’re not alone. I’m here to help you build emotional resilience, reconnect with your body, and navigate life with more compassion and understanding. 🌿💜

✨

🚨 Creating Safe Communication 🚨 In relationships, communication can sometimes trigger a "fight or flight" response—meani...
04/03/2025

🚨 Creating Safe Communication 🚨

In relationships, communication can sometimes trigger a "fight or flight" response—meaning we either get defensive and argue (fight) or we shut down and withdraw (flight). This happens when we feel emotionally threatened or unsafe during a conversation.

Does this sound familiar?

Feeling attacked: If one person feels blamed or criticized, their brain may signal danger, prompting them to either fight back or shut down entirely.

Stressful subjects: When sensitive topics come up—like past arguments or unmet needs—emotions can rise, triggering that stress response.

Not feeling heard: If you feel like your feelings or thoughts are being ignored or dismissed, you might instinctively react with frustration or retreat to protect yourself.

Tension in tone or body language: If someone’s voice is raised, or their body language is aggressive, it can make the situation feel unsafe, leading to either confrontation or withdrawal.

🔑 What you can do to prevent "fight or flight":

Stay calm: Take a moment to breathe before responding. A clear head helps you think before you act.

Use "I" statements: Instead of saying "You never listen to me!" try "I feel unheard when...". It reduces the chance of triggering defensiveness.
Listen, truly listen: Show empathy. When your partner feels understood, it’s less likely they’ll go into “fight or flight” mode.

Take breaks if needed: It’s okay to pause a conversation and revisit it when both of you are calmer.

At the end of the day, good communication in relationships is about creating safety and trust. When both people feel heard and respected, it’s easier to avoid those fight or flight responses and have a more productive, understanding conversation.

By fostering safety and empathy, you can create a space where both partners feel heard, understood, and respected. Remember, ‘safe communication’ is about building trust, understanding, and connection. It makes your relationship stronger and more fulfilling. Learn how to develop safe communication at www.drdownes.co.uk 💖✨

Psychological Treatments

A life changing gift!SHARE THE BENEFIT’SShare the benefit’s of psychotherapy with a D R Downes & Associates gift e-card....
11/04/2024

A life changing gift!

SHARE THE BENEFIT’S
Share the benefit’s of psychotherapy with a D R Downes & Associates gift e-card. Our gift e-cards make the perfect gift for your friends and family. www.drdownesandassociates.co.uk

*Counselling & Psychotherapy*Supervision*Corporate Consultancy*Executive Coaching *Workplace Mediation*Critical Incident...
20/07/2014

*Counselling & Psychotherapy
*Supervision
*Corporate Consultancy
*Executive Coaching
*Workplace Mediation
*Critical Incident Stress Debriefing for Trauma
*CPD Workshops

http://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/counsellors/rebecca-downes

Background:Born in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, Rebecca now lives in the North West with her husband and their three daughters. Rebecca’s...

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Broughton

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 6:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 6:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 6:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 6:30pm
Friday 8am - 6:30pm

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Our Story

Do you want to get ahead in your life? Who doesn’t? Whatever slice of humanity, you probably want to grow, provide, succeed and there’s never been a better time to go for it.

Modern life has abundant choice and opportunity. We’re safer, richer and healthier than ever before in human history. Yet despite all the good stuff, this world seems to fry our minds. Mental health and resilience issues are increasing. Wouldn’t it be good to get ahead in life without burning out?

David and Rebecca Downes, are on a mission to help people become unstuck and break free from the glassbox. Both professional accredited practitioner’s practicing in the City of London EC2, Canary Wharf E14 and Surrey KT13.

Using a blended structure of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing (EMDR). Models highly regarded and empirically proven psychological treatments. Recommended by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). Especially relevant for psychological conditions such as: Anxiety, Depression, Phobias, OCD, ADHD, ASD and Trauma.