Testimonials

‘I came across Chris’ practice in Sept 2024 and I felt I wanted to try something new after feeling that talking therapy had reached its peak for me. Having read about Chris’ robust experience and knowledge and his use of Life Span Integration, EMDR and Art Psychotherapy, I felt ready to give something different a go, with a person who aligned with creativity, imagination and freedom to express myself. 

Chris is a warm, thoughtful, attentive, good-humoured, non-judgemental, experienced, and overall, an amazing therapist. During the initial consultation, Chris explained each therapy clearly and shared what he thought would be the best treatment for me. He guided me safely through the Life Span Integration protocols and processes, and whilst our sessions were online, he was able to create a connective and secure space for me. With empathy and understanding, he offered me the room to work through emotional challenges in a way that fully embraced and respected me and my neurodiversity (particularly on days when I struggled to find the right words) and encouraged creative expression (helping me feel connected to myself). 

Chris works instinctively; every session is fluid and shaped by my current circumstances and any breakthroughs making the work feel more authentic and genuine. Life Span Integration has been absolutely life-changing for me, especially in processing trauma (even pre-verbally): I feel more stable, grounded, less easily triggered, more aligned with my values, actively creating healthy boundaries, and have far more self-compassionate. I don't feel on edge anymore, I don't feel negative all the time or malleable to serve other people's needs excessively. My self-esteem and sense of self-worth have soared, and I couldn't be more grateful to have discovered this incredible therapeutic approach with someone like Chris.

With the endless lists of therapists out there, I honestly cannot recommend his practice enough. I wholeheartedly recommend working with Chris Westray and exploring Life Span Integration without hesitation!’ S, Bristol

‘Chris helped me process trauma from various different stages of my life with an incredible empathetic approach. I had never tried EMDR therapy previously, but it has by far been the most effective therapy I have personally experienced. It has helped me feel so much lighter day-to-day and I'm extremely grateful to have benefitted from it" D, London

"Since starting counselling with Chris 6 months ago, I (and others) have noticed a meaningful improvement in my anxiety and how I manage it. He is professional, but relaxed, approachable and reassuring. I can tell he's taken the time to understand me and tailors his approach accordingly. I'm really grateful to Chris for how he's helping me overcome the difficult stuff from my past, and navigate the challenges of my present and I would recommend him to anyone seeking change and striving to understand themselves better" E, Bristol

“There is a unique wonder in being able to explore yourself through words and thoughts, but also visually through art. It brings understanding on a different level, being able to see and make sense of things that felt abstract, bringing them into the sphere of consciousness. Chris has guided me seamlessly to that place, and helped me feel more connected to myself and the world around me with immediate benefits, as well as tackling the long term effects of a difficult past. I strongly recommend Chris, for gentle but thorough and effective sessions.” L, Bristol

"Chris is a natural, gifted and very knowledgeable psychotherapist. Over the last 6 weeks he has helped me to explore and heal painful parts of my past, rediscover my emotions, and start to reintegrate abandoned parts of myself. The art therapy has allowed me to communicate and release emotion in a way that I couldn't always do with words. I felt like Chris understood and empathised with my story in a very short period of time and his clear experience allowed me to feel safe to share’ J, Bristol

“I wanted to let you know that things have been going really well and the techniques you have given me and that I've been working on have massively helped with my anxiety, self-esteem, trust and self kindness. Things seem to be going in a really good direction. Thank you so much for all your help and time, it is greatly appreciated and I don't think I can really fully put into words the help you have given me.” H, Tayside

‘I saw Chris over a period of two years which began in a period of crisis and lost identity in early motherhood. Chris compassionately held a safe and boundaried space which allowed me the time to bring up and work through both past trauma and present stresses and conflicts. As and when it was needed or appropriate, Chris followed up our sessions by recommending articles or texts to read so that I could further understand the situation I was in and how I was responding. This really helped me gain extra clarity at a time when I was doing a lot of soul searching.

Chris’s practice is a warm balance of empathy, curiosity and gentle humour and I always felt he was truly invested in the process. Having art materials available at sessions gave the opportunity for expressions of experiences or feelings that maybe didn’t have words to start with. Through making images we were able to open a new avenue of conversation and bring curiosity to each stage of the process.

I did say to Chris that he asks a lot of good questions, but I corrected myself to say that he asks a few good questions - which is even better! Ultimately, I consciously draw this period of therapy to a close after two years because I feel confident that I’ve worked through key historic issues and have found the freedom to move forward knowing that- in Chris’s words- I’ll be just fine. I can draw on the narrative that we have created and refer back to my art as reminders of the important journey that brought me to where I am today. Thank you, Chris!’ R, Bristol

‘I feel fortunate and privileged to have had you in my life. You witnessed intense ups and downs and supported me through it all with compassion, authenticity and humanity.’ I, London

‘Working with Chris is a very insightful experience. I have been very wary of therapists in the past and since working with Chris his manner, responses, communication and understanding have made me put trust in him more and more. He has enabled me delve into events - most of which I have suppressed to see what these events mean to me and start on the process of desensitising these painful memories. He not only is an active listener, but his responses are precise and resonate with how I feel. I found him to be an extremely compassionate individual who is empathetic to my issues. His multi-disciplinary approach allows him to help you with your deepest darkest thoughts and feelings by allowing your own psyche to project itself on to page with Art, or via EMDR etc. Things that are too painful can be expressed without a word being said! With Chris’ help…there are now glimmers of light - each session giving me a bit more power, willing me to want to continue and fight on. The space in which we talk is an airtight safe space, nothing is off topic and nothing shocks him. He is there to assist, enable, protect and support you. He really is a very special gem in the world of therapy and if you get to work with him, then you are extremely lucky indeed!’ M, Exeter