Break that Rusty Cage, and Run
Openforwards is a Birmingham-based Psychology enterprise providing Professional Training and Personal Well-being Services including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Our response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
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How can we help?
We know how hard it can be when you don’t have the best coping strategies to deal with stress, anxiety, depression and many other psychological difficulties. Our Birmingham-based Accredited Therapists, Counsellors and Clinical Psychologists can teach you a range of effective techniques using Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based interventions including Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) and EMDR for traumatic stress.
New Ways to Relax from Anxiety
Tackle your fears, obsessions, panic, worry and agoraphobia.
How to Lift My Mood & Reduce My Depression
Understand your vulnerability to depression and learn how to give yourself more stability.
Increase My Confidence
Handle a fear of failure or rejection and build your strength to take risks.
Manage My Work Stress
Reduce your work-related stress and build your strength to cope with new challenges.
I’ve got Trust Issues
Change your future, despite any past traumas and cope better with the Ups & Downs.
Save My Marriage
Reduce the arguments and build a closer connection with a Couples Counsellor.
Training & Supervision in Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) & CBT
Expand your skills-set and choice of interventions so you can be a better therapist.
Consultancy Services
We bring specialist knowledge and skills to your well-being project, course or event
Reaching out for help is a sign of strength. It gives you the opportunity to learn and to build your confidence. The truth is that we all struggle from time to time. It’s a part of being alive, and a sign that you want more from life.
Learn the relevant skills to help you get where you want to go
The Openforwards psychological therapy and counselling services, you can get to the root of the problem quickly and find new strategies that work. We’ll help you get fully equipped with practical and scientifically-based methods so you can move forward with your life. Using Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based psychological approaches, we’ll teach you simple and effective techniques that give you more stability quickly and strengthen your resilience. We’ll help you make changes in the short-term and show you how to protect yourself for the future.
VIEW OUR BIRMINGHAM COUNSELLING & (CBT) SERVICES
Hear how what people think about us?
“Jim has helped me so much in the time i have been seeing him. He has helped me in lots of ways, setting me small tasks, listening to me and helping me stand back from certain situations…i can see things are not as bad as i perceive and I’ve learned to take a different perspective”
Louise · 39 years old
“I would recommend Jim to anyone who finds themselves in my position, anyone who is seeking to make changes, those motivated to turn their life around for the better.”
Gary · 31 years old
“I found the counselling sessions and your approach to CBT extremely beneficial. Counselling not only helped me overcome my OCD but has given me the tools to manage my condition and to prevent the obsessions and compulsions from returning”
Ben · 27 years old
“I came to Jim for help after struggling with panic attacks and agoraphobia for many years. The therapy has been challenging at times but, with patience and support, Jim has taught me to adopt a new approach to my anxiety, which is enabling me to live a fuller life”
Maria · 44 years old
The Openforwards Approach to Improving your Well-being
Here are our Evidence-based Psychotherapy tools that we use to help you learn to cope and live a happier and more fulfilling life
Counselling
Counselling is a talking therapy. Sit down with a Counsellor, and explore both past events and current struggles. The Counsellor listens, and creates a safe and compassionate place. It’s a chance to reflect and identify what you want that will make your life better.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behaviour Therapies (CBT) is an umbrella terms for evidence-based interventions that teach you specific coping strategies. Traditional Cognitive techniques teach you how to challenge your unhelpful or inaccurate thoughts, abandon unhelpful behaviours and build more useful ones.
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based CBT treatment that teaches you how to build psychological flexibility. You focus on living less in your head and more in the real external world. By becoming more open to painful emotions, you can focus on what truly matters.
Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)
Compassion-focused Therapy (CFT) works to reduce self-criticism, isolation and shame by building self-compassion. Using courage and kindness, you learn to let go of judgements, tune in to what you are feeling and make investments in your self-care and well-being.
EMDR (Trauma Therapy)
EMDR or Eye Movement Desensitisation Re-Processing is an evidence-based intervention for trauma (PTSD). It focuses on alleviating the suffering caused by flashbacks, nightmares and frightening intrusive memories.
Wondering whether we are the right counselling service to support you through this challenging time?
If you’d like some more information about how therapy works or what to expect, you can check out our FAQs. Alternatively, you can speak to a therapist or book in for a consultation and get the ball rolling.
One of our counsellors, psychotherapists or psychologists will complete an assessment and outline a therapy plan that includes the full range of skills and coping strategies you’ll need to move forward.
Learn to Improve your Health and Wellbeing
We share creative ideas and solid science from around the world through our health and wellbeing resources. Whether you want to change the way you work, communicate in relationships or take care of your body and mental state, our ebooks, online courses, free articles and podcasts will give you new perspectives. We don’t just give you the headlines, we want to show you the practical steps through relevant and accessible ‘how-to’ guides, so that you can put it to work in your life.
Work, Love, Play and ‘Feel’ Better
The Openforwards blog is your portable guide to help you stay psychologically flexible. We write articles and bring together a weekly round-up of other people’s ideas from the around the world to help you work, love, play and feel better.
[weekly] Four ways to cope with parenting in lockdown
How do you cope with parenting during lockdown? Parenting is never an easy task, but right now in lockdown, we’re under enormous strain. The nine-week point is fading into the past. Our children have been at home for longer than the summer holidays. When will it all end? There’s no break, no back-up. You’re getting […]
[weekly] When is the right time to ease lockdown?
When is the right time to ease lockdown? It’s a big question. When is the right time to ease lockdown? The number of reported deaths from COVID-19 remains high, and many people feel it is too soon. Others are eager to get back to work and see some of their friends and family. Opinions are […]
[weekly] What is happening in your communities?
What is happening in your communities? I’ve been moved to tears by the way some people have adjusted to lockdown. Take my son’s kickboxing classes, which were moved online from the get-go. Every day they run various options to help their members stay fit, learn new moves and practise different combinations. They are a ‘life-saver’ […]
[weekly] Why do I get Panic Attacks for no reason?
Why do I get panic attacks for no reason? During difficult times, you will be more likely to have a panic attack. Don’t be surprised right now if you or someone you know is feeling more anxious. It can seem like panic comes out of the blue, but there are often reasons why it happens. […]
