Robert Paynter, NCPS
Empathic counsellor who blends narrative and practical methods
Details
| Name | Robert Paynter |
|---|---|
| Credentials | NCPS |
| Based in | United Kingdom |
| Registered with | NCPS |
| Session format | Online |
| Languages | English, Afrikaans, Portuguese |
| Years in practice | 10 |
About Robert
Robert Paynter is a counsellor who uses Narrative therapy alongside other human-centred methods. He works with people facing stress, anxiety, addiction and relationship concerns. He also helps with depression, anger, self-esteem and career questions.
Robert speaks English, Afrikaans and Portuguese and practices from the United Kingdom. Robert combines practical talking work with shaped plans. He draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Client-Centred approaches depending on what each person needs.
Background and approach
Sessions focus on understanding the story a person tells about their life and finding small, manageable changes to move forward. Over a decade of practice informs his style. He emphasises listening, respect and clear, down-to-earth guidance.
He aims to offer tools that people can use between sessions to cope with day-to-day pressures and emotional pain. Robert has supported people with a wide range of issues beyond the headline concerns. These include body image and eating difficulties, substance problems, chronic illness and caregiver stress, plus questions around attachment, control, divorce and communication problems.
He works with international clients and uses video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging to connect. His approach is collaborative - he helps people choose techniques that suit their situation and goals.
What this therapist works with
His listing names Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, LGBT among the things Robert works with, alongside the areas below.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Depression
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Coping with life changes
- Coaching
- Compassion fatigue
- Abandonment
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Attachment issues
- BDSM, kink, and alternative sex culture
- Body image
- Cancer
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Codependency
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Eating and food-related issues
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- First responder issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- HIV / AIDS
- Hoarding
- Immigration issues
- Impulsivity
- Infidelity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Money and financial issues
- Mood disorders
- Multicultural concerns
- Narcissism
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
- Post-traumatic stress
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
- Self-love
- Sex addiction
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Sexual dysfunction
- Sexuality
- Smoking / vaping cessation
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches listed
- Narrative Therapy: Named in his listing among his approaches.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Listed by Robert among the ways he works.
- Attachment-Based Therapy: Listed by Robert among the ways he works.
- Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Robert among the ways he works.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Robert among the ways he works.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Listed by Robert among the ways he works.
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT): Listed by Robert among the ways he works.
- Existential Therapy: Listed by Robert among the ways he works.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Listed by Robert among the ways he works.
- Jungian Therapy: Listed by Robert among the ways he works.
- Mindfulness Therapy: Listed by Robert among the ways he works.
- Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Robert among the ways he works.
- Psychodynamic Therapy: Listed by Robert among the ways he works.
- Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Robert among the ways he works.
- Somatic Therapy: Listed by Robert among the ways he works.
- Trauma-Focused Therapy: Listed by Robert among the ways he works.
- Systemic Therapy: Listed by Robert among the ways he works.
- Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Robert directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.
Narrative Therapy in this listing
Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how he works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.
If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Robert directly how he uses it and what a session usually looks like.
Online session options
How narrative and behaviour work online
Robert blends Narrative therapy with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Client-Centred approaches. Narrative therapy helps people reframe the stories they tell about themselves to open up new possibilities and reduce shame. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) teaches ways to notice thoughts without being driven by them and to act in line with personal values. Client-Centred therapy focuses on listening, empathy and building a trusting conversation to make change feel possible.Choosing an approach is part of the work. Robert treats it as a collaboration and will help people try different methods to see what fits. He tailors techniques to your goals, whether that means learning specific coping skills, shifting harmful self-narratives, or working through attachment patterns.
Online sessions use video calls, phone conversations, live chat and text-based messaging. Video suits deeper, face-to-face style work while phone calls can be easier when bandwidth is limited. Live chat and messaging make quick check-ins or brief coaching-style support possible during busy weeks. These options give flexibility to fit therapy around work, travel and daily life while letting the therapist and client focus on practical steps and steady progress.
Common questions about this listing
What issues does Robert focus on?
He supports people with stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship concerns and depression. He also works on anger, self-esteem, career changes and coping with life transitions.
How would you describe his therapeutic style?
He uses Narrative therapy alongside Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. The work is conversational and aims to reshape the stories that keep someone stuck.
What background and experience does he bring?
He has ten years of practice and has run several thousand sessions since qualifying. That experience informs a direct, practical approach to problem-solving.
Where is he based and what credential does he hold?
He practices from the United Kingdom and holds the NCPS credential as listed in his profile.
Which languages are available for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English, Afrikaans and Portuguese for English- and other language speakers who prefer those languages.
Can people outside the UK work with him?
International clients are accepted and he is able to work with people in different countries.
How are sessions delivered and what formats are used?
He uses video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging to run therapy. Different formats suit different needs, from shorter check-ins to longer video conversations.
How does payment and scheduling work?
Session cost varies with location and therapist availability and is managed via a subscription that can be cancelled at any time. To begin, select the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire and schedule according to availability.
Contacting this therapist
Sessions with Robert are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Robert where he has space. Ask about fees, and whether he holds a licence or registration where you live.
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