Robert Paynter, NCPS

Counsellor - anxiety and addictions

CBT influenced work
Person centred approaches
Acceptance and commitment

About Robert

Robert Paynter is a counsellor and a member of NCPS with ten years' experience. He works with stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship difficulties, depression and related problems, and lists LGBT concerns, low self‑esteem and coping with life changes among his areas of focus.

He uses a blend of approaches that often includes cognitive behavioural ideas and person‑centred methods. Sessions typically aim to identify practical steps and clearer thinking patterns, while also attending to feelings and relationship patterns. He talks with people about boundaries, communication and managing strong emotions such as anger.

Robert has worked with people from many cultures and speaks English, Afrikaans and Portuguese. He has experience across different countries and draws on that background when discussing cultural or identity concerns. He also lists further focus areas such as chronic pain and illness, caregiver stress, eating and substance issues, body image and attachment matters.

His way of working combines structured exercises with listening and collaboration. That may mean looking at thoughts and behaviours, trying new coping skills between sessions, and reflecting on patterns that come from close relationships. He also includes approaches that focus on values and acceptance when that fits the issue.

Sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time and costs vary with location. To begin, people are asked to complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule an initial appointment via the See online counselling options button.

Therapeutic approaches used in online counselling

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying what matters to a person and taking small steps that match those values. It often helps with anxiety, low mood and issues where avoidance keeps people stuck.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts, feelings and actions interact. The work tends to use practical exercises and short tasks to test out different ways of thinking and behaving, which can help with anxiety, depression and unhelpful habits.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss goals and preferences and then agree a way of working together. That might mean combining elements from different approaches as needs evolve.

Check the session formats before booking so you know what is offered. Practical benefits of remote sessions include fitting counselling around work or family commitments, shorter check‑in contacts when needed, and avoiding travel time. Confirm current session options via the initial questionnaire and scheduling step so you can match a format to your routine.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Addictions LGBTRelationship issuesDepression

Also works with

Anger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesBDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stress Chronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommunication problems Control issues Divorce and separation Domestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesForgiveness Guilt and shameHIV / AIDSHoardingImmigration issuesImpulsivityInfidelity Isolation / loneliness Jealousy Life purpose Men's issues Midlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issues Mood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissism Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacksPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Self-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobia Workplace issues Young adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Existential TherapyEye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Jungian TherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapySystemic Therapy

Experience

10+ years

Listed in

United Kingdom

Languages

English, Afrikaans, Portuguese

Frequently asked questions

What problems does he help with most often?

He works with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions and relationship difficulties, and also lists self‑esteem and coping with life changes.

What is his therapeutic style?

He combines cognitive behavioural ideas with person‑centred listening and occasionally acceptance focused methods. The emphasis is on practical steps alongside talking about feelings.

How long has he been practising?

He has ten years of practice experience and reports having run thousands of sessions since qualifying.

Which professional body is he registered with?

He is listed with NCPS as given in his profile and works in the United Kingdom.

Which languages are available for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English, Afrikaans and Portuguese.

Can people outside the UK work with him?

He accepts international clients as stated in his profile.

How are sessions arranged and paid for?

Sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time and cost varies with location.

How do I start a first session?

Select the See online counselling options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and then schedule an initial appointment.

Details come from information the counsellor supplied to BetterHelp. A membership or registration can be checked on the professional body's own register.

Online counselling is not emergency care. In an emergency call 999, or see the help numbers.

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