Transform Your Well-Being with Personalised Therapy and Professional Support

Counsellor in the Portsmouth Area

Please watch the video below

It’s time for action.

Hello, I’m Peter Higgins, a qualified counsellor and therapist offering in-person sessions in Portsmouth and virtual sessions across the UK and Europe. I hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling from London South Bank University and am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, ensuring I work within a professional and ethical framework.

I support individuals facing challenges such as addiction, anxiety, depression, and stress. While I cover a range of issues, I specialise in gambling addiction and its impact on both individuals and their loved ones (affected others). Whether you're struggling personally or concerned about someone close to you, therapy provides a safe space for growth and self-discovery. I also work with those feeling lost or unsure of their next steps in life. Together, we’ll explore how deeper issues may influence your coping mechanisms, helping you move forward with clarity.

My approach is neutral, supportive, and non-judgmental, addressing feelings of overwhelm, loneliness, or confusion. Building a strong, trusting connection with your therapist is crucial. Have a look at my short video above and If you feel we might be a good fit, please reach out for an initial consultation.

I offer in-person sessions in Portsmouth and online or phone-based sessions (UK & Europe). Contact me via text or email with any questions or to schedule an appointment.

  • My goal is to help you develop greater self-awareness and understanding of the challenges you're facing, empowering you to make choices that lead to a more fulfilling life.

    My style is shaped by personal experience and a natural ability to create a safe, non-judgmental space where you can feel heard and understood. Together, we’ll work on silencing the inner critic, building self-compassion, and fostering personal growth.

    I tailor my approach to each individual, combining person-centred and humanistic methods with more directive and reality-checking techniques when needed. I specialise in Motivational Interviewing, which helps explore ambivalence and harness your inner motivations for change.

    Using CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), we’ll examine how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours interact, identifying negative patterns and working toward positive, realistic solutions that align with your goals.

    Accreditation

    • Addiction Psychology and Counselling PgDIp

    • BACP Member

    • Accredited Drug and Alcohol Professional

  • You may want to control or stop your addiction but feel conflicted—dealing with cravings, missing the buzz, wanting to escape, or feeling stuck in a destructive cycle. It can be hard to open up or face the impact on yourself, your finances or your relationships.

    Many clients find the first step difficult but often feel a sense of relief after a few sessions. With my experience, I tailor therapy to address both common patterns and individual triggers, helping you develop practical strategies that work for you.

    I understand the unique challenges of being a partner, family member, or friend of someone with a gambling disorder. It can create significant strain on relationships and impact the entire household and extended family.

    If you're personally affected by someone else's gambling, I’m here to support you. Counselling can be valuable for you, even if the person struggling with gambling isn’t ready to seek help.

    Together, we can work through the effects this has on your life, helping you understand the situation and develop strategies to cope.

  • Face to Face

    I offer private and secure sessions in Portsmouth. Together, we will establish a contract to ensure a safe and confidential environment.

    Online Therapy

    I also offer online therapy using Teams or Zoom, providing an accessible and convenient way to receive support. Where practical I can work with you via FaceTime or WhatsApp video.

    Telephone

    For those who prefer, we can conduct sessions over the phone, offering a comfortable alternative to face-to-face or video meetings.

    All sessions are 50 minutes long. The first appointment includes establishing a Personal Contract.

  • My fees are £59 per session for 50 minutes whether in person, online (Teams / Zoom) or telephone.

    I offer a limited number of reduced fee sessions, to assist people in challenging financial circumstances, subject to availability. Please email me to understand more about your situation.

    My availability is as follows:

    • Monday to Friday 10am - 8pm

    • Saturday 10am - 2pm

    • Sunday Unavailable

What people say

  • "My counsellor Peter understood my situation and my problem with gambling and where I was in my life. Really enjoyed my session helped me to understand that I had more ambition with my life and put coping mechanisms in place if I ever felt like gambling again. Would recommend to other people as it’s helped me to get my life back on track and I feel like I’ve come along way in the last 3 months"

    ★★★★★
    Littlehampton

  • "Peter was excellent throughout, he gave me the space to tell him about my situation in my own way, and then took the time to really get under the skin of the issues. He was able to assess my character very quickly and adapt his style to enable me to get the most benefit from the sessions. He was able to get me to identify and accept the best course of action on various issues where I'd previously probably been in denial. Would highly recommend Peter as a counsellor."

    ★★★★★
    Luton

  • "Initially I was very stressed and exhausted my loved one’s gambling really affected me, l was in pieces. I was given a safe space to speak by Peter, to talk and explain about the whole situation. That was the very first time l had really opened up deeply especially to someone who l didn’t know. l felt understood and comfortable to speak. After l had spoken non stop for 40 minutes l felt like huge load had lifted off my shoulders."

    ★★★★★
    Brighton

  • "I would really like to thank my counsellor for the amazing work he does. I would like to thank him for all the advice and support he has given me he has been so amazing. I would highly recommend him as he is so practical and honest. From week to week l was given the platform to speak and ask questions. The appointments were so flexible and l could change them if anything came up. I was given relevant materials to read and reflect on. I was given practical advice and methods on how to handle difficult situations. I have really learnt that l need to prioritise my self care in order to be able to give to others. I cannot pour from an empty cup. When feeling stressed or overwhelmed I was given practical outlets and methods to handle the situation."

    ★★★★★
    Dagenham

  • "I was so worried and nervous for my 1st session and nearly cancelled it, but I really glad I didn't, I don't think I would be in the place I am now if I didn't have these regular meetings and check ins. They have been really usual and it has been lovely to speak to someone who doesn't judge but just listens and assists in what to do and how to do things. This sessions have been great, they have kept me on the right path and I feel like the tools and the experience I have gained from them will still keep me on the correct path to kicking out gambling!"

    ★★★★★
    Chichester