I run Headstart Mental Health from In Motion Clinics on Long Lane in Upton, about ten minutes from Chester city centre. This is where I see clients face to face for cognitive behavioural therapy and primitive reflex integration therapy. It's a proper clinical setting with free parking outside the door and ground-floor access throughout.
I chose this location deliberately. Chester has a real shortage of private CBT therapists who actually specialise in the approach rather than offering it as one of half a dozen modalities. I've spent 13 years working in mental health, including time in the RAF, and CBT has been my primary tool throughout. It's what I know inside out.
Getting to the Clinic
The clinic address is 137 Long Lane, Upton, Chester CH2 1JF. If you're coming from Chester city centre, head north on the A41 towards Birkenhead. Turn left onto Long Lane and you'll find In Motion Clinics on your right. The whole trip takes about 10 minutes in normal traffic.
Parking is free and there's plenty of it. You won't be clock-watching during your session worrying about a parking meter running out. That matters more than you'd think. Therapy works best when you're not distracted.
If you're using public transport, the number 1 bus from Chester Bus Exchange stops on Long Lane. It's a 15-minute ride and the stop is a two-minute walk from the clinic. For cyclists, there's space to lock up your bike outside.
Why Chester Needs More Private Therapy Options
Cheshire West and Chester is served by the NHS Talking Therapies programme (formerly IAPT), which does good work with limited resources. But the waiting times tell their own story. You're looking at 8 to 14 weeks just for an initial assessment. If you need something more specialist, CAMHS referrals for children or complex trauma services for adults, the wait can stretch well past a year.
That's not a criticism of the people working in those services. They're stretched thin. But if you're struggling now, waiting three months to start getting help isn't really acceptable. Private therapy fills that gap. I can typically see new clients within one to two weeks of first contact.
The other issue with NHS provision locally is session limits. Many people are offered 6 to 8 sessions of CBT through the NHS. For straightforward anxiety or mild depression, that can be enough. For anything more complex, OCD, PTSD, eating disorders, personality difficulties, it barely scratches the surface. I don't cap sessions. We work until you've got what you came for.
What I Offer at the Chester Clinic
CBT therapy is what I do most. I work with adults and young people dealing with anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, phobias, eating disorders, anger, and more. Every course of therapy starts with a thorough assessment so I understand what's actually going on, not just the presenting problem. Then we build a plan and get to work.
Primitive reflex integration therapy is the other side of my practice. This is specialist work that addresses retained primitive reflexes, the neurological reflexes that should integrate during early childhood but sometimes don't. Unintegrated reflexes can affect concentration, coordination, emotional regulation, and anxiety levels. I'm one of very few therapists in the northwest offering this. Most clients travel specifically for it.
I also offer online sessions for CBT where face-to-face isn't practical. Primitive reflex work needs to be done in person, at least for assessment and the first few sessions.
Who I Work With
I see adults and young people from about age 10 upwards. Many of my Chester clients are professionals who want to sort out anxiety or stress without a long NHS wait. Parents bring children and teenagers for both CBT and primitive reflex assessments, often after being told there's an 18-month wait for CAMHS.
I'm a straight talker. I'll tell you what I think is going on, what I think will help, and roughly how long it should take. If I don't think I'm the right person to help you, I'll say so and point you somewhere better. That happens occasionally and it's the right thing to do.
Booking and Fees
I offer a free initial phone consultation so you can ask questions and I can check I'm the right fit. No pressure, no sales pitch. Call me on 07469 870 295 or use the contact form to get in touch. I'll usually get back to you within a few hours during working days.
Sessions run for 50 minutes. I'm flexible with scheduling and can often accommodate early morning or evening appointments for people who work standard hours.
