About Carl Stephens – Specialist Psychotherapist (in Advanced Training) for Men & High-Performance Individuals

I’m Carl Stephens, a Transactional Analyst in Psychotherapy in Advanced Training. I have completed several years of Level 7 Masters-level training in psychotherapy and am now in the final stages of becoming a Registered Psychotherapist with the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).

I specialise in working with men, athletes, and high-performance individuals, supporting them to navigate the pressures, transitions, and challenges that come with sport, work, and life. My approach is grounded in Transactional Analysis (TA), a powerful, evidence-based therapy model that explores how our past experiences shape the way we think, feel, and behave in the present. By understanding these patterns, we can challenge old, unhelpful habits and create new ways of thinking and being, empowering you to live more fully and authentically.

My Background

Before entering Psychotherapy, my life was rooted in rugby and sports coaching. A career-ending shoulder injury shifted my path, leading me first into teaching P.E. and eventually to psychotherapy. My own experience of seeking psychological support revealed a deep passion for helping others, particularly men who often struggle to access the support they need.

I understand firsthand the pressures of a high-performance mindset, the sense of identity tied to achievement, and the challenges that arise when sport, career, or personal circumstances disrupt that identity. This lived experience allows me to connect with clients authentically, with empathy and insight that only comes from having been there myself.

Outside of work, I continue to embrace life’s challenges, I’m an avid surfer and love exploring Cornwall’s coastal paths with my two dogs. This connection to movement, nature, and adventure informs my approach to therapy, particularly for clients who thrive in active, embodied ways of exploring themselves.

Specialist Areas

I specialise in supporting men and high-performance individuals, though I also work with women and couples. My key areas of expertise include:

• Elite athletes and high performers navigating career-ending injuries, retirement, or transitions out of sport

• Brain injury or concussion-related challenges, including the emotional and identity impacts of contact sports

• Performance anxiety, stress, and burnout in competitive or high-pressure contexts

• Identity reconstruction and life transitions, helping clients redefine purpose and meaning outside of sport or achievement

• Emotional resilience and relationship challenges, supporting mental and emotional wellbeing both on and off the field

I help clients rewrite their stories, break free of unhelpful patterns, and reclaim confidence, resilience, and clarity. My goal is to support you in creating a life that aligns with your values, ambitions, and authentic self, both as an athlete and as a person.

Why Work With Me

I bring a unique combination of lived experience, high-performance insight, and clinical expertise. I understand the athlete mindset, the drive to succeed, and the difficulty men often face in seeking help. My work is collaborative, evidence-based, and tailored, ensuring that therapy is not just talk, but a transformative experience that delivers lasting change.

If you are ready to explore your patterns, navigate life’s transitions, and build the resilience to thrive, both in sport and in life, I’m here to support you every step of the way.