Chris Beale

Professional qualifications, accreditations and memberships

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Behaviour Science
• Bachelor of Psychological Science (HONS)
• Post Graduate Diploma in Professional Practice
• Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy

Memberships

• BPS
• HCPC
• EMDR UK & Ireland
• EMCC (European Mentoring & Coaching Council)

Professional statement

Chris Beale’s training as a psychologist has encompassed a number of therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing (EMDR), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy and Mindfulness approaches, and adopts a supportive, strengths-based approach to psychological therapy. He has experience in treating a wide range of mental health problems including depression, anxiety, panic disorder, trauma/PTSD, specific phobias, drug dependence, self-esteem/confidence, relationship difficulties and work-related stress. Additionally, Chris has extensive experience working with the LGBTI community and the unique stressors that present.

In addition to neuropsychological work assisting young and older adults with suspected intellectual impairment, Chris has worked with a range of populations including the unemployed and low SES populations, the LGBTI charity sector and the corporate sector both as a coach and mental health facilitator – work that he continues to do today. To this end, Chris has assisted many organisations to improve psychological health and safety compliance by working closely with organisations to identify and remediate workplace psychological risk factors.

Personal statement

Chris Beale understands that clients, first and foremost, want to be genuinely heard and responded to in a way that makes positive life changes. He also understands that clients want results: they want to feel better, they want to manage their lives better and they want to get more enjoyment in life. He believes in working collaboratively with clients and that the therapeutic relationship is critical for developing trust.

Over time, Chris has noticed that the majority of clients he treats are in many ways feeling lost or disconnected, either socially or from meaning/purpose in their lives or both. Supporting clients to reconnect tends to reduce distress, provide clarity and increase behavioural freedom. Working collaboratively to help bring to awareness unhelpful thinking styles or habits tends to work very effectively in combination with identifying meaning for them.

Chris adopts a supportive, person-centred, non-judgemental and empathic style. He believes in empowering clients through providing strategies that help to raise self-awareness and alleviate psychological distress. Ultimately, he believes it is important to provide practical, everyday psychological tools.

Additional information about research, publications and interests

Chris’ interests include trauma work, LGBT issues, workplace risk factors for mental health, social psychology, contemporary factors impacting mental health (e.g. tech, online factors, socio-political etc), psychological resilience, emotional intelligence, philosophical origins of psychology, mindfulness and meditation.