About
Welcome to the Bodhi Tree
Let’s be honest - looking for a therapist can feel pretty daunting. You decide you might need to talk to someone, search online, and suddenly you’re scrolling through pages of smiling faces, all saying more or less the same thing. The titles and initials next to our names might not mean a great deal to you. This specialism, that theory, these many years, those qualifications.
So how do you tell us apart?
In the end, what really matters is whether we connect. The research backs this up, and my experience does too. You will get a small sense of me from this website, but you will not really know whether I am someone you feel comfortable with until we meet.
That is why I offer a free initial chat and, where appropriate, a free introductory session with no pressure or commitment. If we decide to continue, we will work out a regular time and fee that suits. And if we do not, that is okay too. You will still be one step closer to knowing what you are looking for in a therapist.
My name is Christopher Ryan, and I am the founder of The Bodhi Tree. I am a qualified therapeutic counsellor with a diploma in Therapeutic Counselling accredited by the CPCAB (Counselling & Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body). I am also a member of the BACP (British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy) and adhere to the ethical framework of this professional body.
I work integratively, which means I do not believe every person should be squeezed into the same model of therapy. People are complicated - what helps one person may not help another.
Some people come to therapy knowing exactly what they want to talk about. Others arrive with only a vague sense that something is not quite right. Both are welcome here. Part of the work may be finding the words together.
For some people, therapy is about being heard properly for the first time. For others, it is about noticing patterns, understanding relationships, working through painful experiences, or being gently challenged.
I am warm, curious about who you are, and fully present in our work. I am not a passive therapist who simply sits back in silence. I listen carefully, but I also ask questions, reflect patterns, and help you think more deeply about what you bring.
My role is to help you develop a deeper understanding of yourself. Change often follows.
My Approach
Over the years, I’ve become particularly known for my work with men, and it has become an important part of what I do.
For a lot of men, talking openly doesn’t always come naturally. Sometimes it’s uncomfortable, sometimes it’s been put off for years, and sometimes they simply don’t know where to start.
I’ve worked with men from all sorts of backgrounds and at very different points in their lives, and creating a space where they can speak honestly and without judgement is something I care a great deal about.
Working with men has become a particular specialism of mine. Alongside this, I work with people of all genders and backgrounds and have experience supporting a wide range of clients.