About
Renata Königsman
Hello & welcome to my psychotherapy practice. I have been working as a Psychologist / Psychotherapist, CBT Therapist & EMDR Therapist in private practice since June 2009. As a bilingual therapist, I work with both Polish and English-speaking clients.
​
I offer a professional therapeutic relationship, where clients can explore issues and difficult thoughts, feelings and behaviours. I regularly supervise my therapeutic work. I only work with adults. I have been working therapeutically using an Integrative approach. I mainly offer CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing). I offer trauma therapy and work as a PTSD therapist. I use EMDR to help treat trauma and PTSD, which is very effective. I am a Trauma - Informed Psychotherapist.
​
For 10 years (2012 - 2022) I also worked as a Psychotherapist in the NHS (National Health Service) in the IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) Services, where I offered psychotherapy for depression, anxiety and trauma. For almost 7 years I worked as a supervisor at the University of Exeter, supervising High Intensity CBT trainee therapists.
​
I completed Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive – Behavioural Therapy at the University in Exeter (High Intensity IAPT Programme) and Postgraduate Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (CBT Pathway) at the University of Wales in Newport. I graduated from the Institute of Psychology of Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz, Poland (Master's Degree - MSc. in Health Psychology). I am also trained in EMDR – Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (Level 3).
​
I’m passionate about supporting people on their journeys toward healing and growth. My own self-care practices like yoga, meditation, and long walks with my dog help me stay grounded and present for the work I do. I am very interested in ideas around spirituality, and I believe that integrating mind, body, and spirit creates a more balanced and authentic path to well-being. I strongly believe in the importance of self-care activities to keep a good work – life balance. I try to bring those beliefs into my therapeutic work.
I have been living in Bristol since 2005. I have experience working in many different mental health services, e.g. I worked for one for the mental health helplines for women and at a psychiatric hospital with patients suffering from eating disorders, depression, emotional difficulties and anxiety disorders. As a psychologist – volunteer I am a creator of The Projekt Bristol - Polish Psychologists’ Association (PPA) who I successfully run for 4 years (2009 - 2012). I coordinated the psychology section, offered counselling sessions and facilitated psycho – educational workshops for the Polish community in Bristol.
​
You can also read about me on the Bristol Talking Therapy Rooms website.
​
Please feel free to check my profile on Psychology Today.
​
I am accredited by British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP). I am also accredited by EMDR Association UK.
Qualifications & Certifications
My Professional Qualifications
2017
IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapy) CBT Supervisor Training, 2017.
2016
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) Psychotherapy, Level 3 Training - University of Exeter, 2016.
2013
Postgraduate Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, PgDipCouns, University of Wales, Newport, 2013.
2008
Master's Degree (MSc.) in Health Psychology, The Institute of Psychology of Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz, Poland, 2008.
2014
Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive – Behavioural Therapy (CBT), PgDipCBT, University of Exeter, 2014.
To maintain my accreditation and stay up-to-date, I regularly attend additional trainings and workshops - CPD (Continuous Professional Development).
Testimonials
What my clients say about working with me:
Working with Renata has truly changed my life in ways I could never have imagined. From our very first session, she made me feel at ease, safe and understood.
Renata's knowledge, insight, kindness and patience helped me get to the root of my problems, and she helped to guide me from a state of extreme anxiety to a confident and self-assured individual that I can barely even recognise.
Renata's use of EMDR in particular has been truly life changing for me, and in just ten EMDR sessions I feel like a completely new person.
I can't speak of Renata's abilities highly enough, and I would recommend her for anyone struggling to deal with trauma no matter how big or small.
You can’t change what you did or what was done to you, but you can choose to rebuild the connections in your mind and change the way that experience ‘sits’ in your life story. Renata helped me to reframe my trauma, and by using EMDR, we were able to reprocess my feelings about my experience and how I viewed myself as a consequence.
What was really powerful was reprocessing to reframe the experience, which let me see how things can be quite different in my life in the present, and also how I can have more positive relationships with myself and others going forwards.
I am very grateful to Renata and really appreciated her supportive approach which really helped me feel comfortable through all of our sessions. Thank you, Renata
Renata seriously has changed my life. I'd been living with PTSD causing panic and anxiety attacks for around 2 years and I didn't know where else to go.
A friend of mine told me about EMDR therapy. I did some research and found Renata, who is warm, friendly and so knowledgeable.
I was very apprehensive before going, I believed I had already exhausted all avenues, and was sure I was going to live in a world of panic, and fear, of a catastrophe happening at any time forever. I am finally myself again, I can’t believe I’m saying it but I am back to being me. I had 9 sessions in total but everyone is different. If anyone is suffering from anxiety or panic attacks you don't need to live like this anymore.
This form of psychotherapy with Renata will literally change your life.I will forever be thankful to Renata, for helping me see out 2 of the hardest years of my life, where I could not see the light at the end of the tunnel.
My life has changed since Renata helped me and I will be forever grateful, I have the strength to face every situation these days with confidence and respect and pride.
​
I am beyond grateful for my EMDR therapy journey with Renata. Even though it was fully online, it was just as effective as in-person sessions. From day one, she provided a safe, supportive space where I felt truly heard. The process wasn’t always easy, but her expertise and encouragement helped me heal and find peace. I now feel lighter, happier, and more in control. Truly life-changing—highly recommend! :)