Focused sessions for men
Practical help for stress, in three short sessions.
The Stress Lab is a focused, practical approach for men, based on contextual behavioural science. Three 25-minute online sessions with a clear focus from the start.
Who it's for
This is for you if you want:
Breathing room from work pressure
Switching off from work is a skill. The Stress Lab teaches you this skill.
Practical skills from the first session
So you have something to use that same week. Small changes can start in session.
Your time and energy going where you want it
So you can be more present for the people and things that matter to you.
Your own plan for staying well
So you know how to stay on track.
Is this you?
You want change, quickly?
You are feeling more stressed, irritable and exhausted lately, and rest isn't fixing it. You want to keep doing well at work, be more present at home, and get on top of this now. You want something you can try, and to know how long it might take.
The Stress Lab is designed for that. It's structured, practical and focused on what's keeping you stuck now, and you finish with a set of skills to guide you through the pressures of life. You also get your own plan to guide you once you have completed the Stress Lab.
Want to know exactly what you're getting?
The Stress Lab is three sessions. We agree a clear focus at the start, work on it together, and then review what has changed.
Short on time?
Sessions are a focused 25 minutes online, early in the morning or late in the evening, so they fit before or after work. If your week changes, you can reschedule online.
Weekly therapy is great, but you want something briefer and focused on practical skills
You want to learn a set of skills to manage now. The experience of being a Clinical Psychologist means I am trained to help clients change, even in the context of high stress or mental health difficulties. If the Stress Lab is not right, I will let you know.
Less talking about the problem. More doing something about it.
Book a free consultationIf you've already tried other things
You've probably tried to sort this yourself. That's normal.
Many men try to sort this out on their own before they speak to anyone. You've probably tried a productivity system, some breathing exercises or a few self-help books, and maybe you booked a holiday hoping that would fix it.
When those things don't last, it's easy to decide the problem is you. It usually isn't. General advice can only go so far, because it wasn't built around what's keeping you stuck.
In the Stress Lab, we understand what's driving the problems. You are then given evidence based skills to help you to feel more like yourself. This reduces time spent on generic, "guess and we will see" advice.
What could change
By the end, you could have:
- A clearer idea of what's driving the stress, and what keeps it going.
- Confidence with skills to help you manage stress more effectively. Tried in sessions, with problems troubleshot by a doctor of clinical psychology.
- A better sense of what matters to you, and where your time is going.
- A written plan for staying on track.
The same life, with more room in it.
Want to make a start today? Get the free 10 Minute Audit by email.
How it works
Three phases, one clear direction
Create breathing room
- We agree a clear focus and measure where things are, so you can see whether they change.
- You learn one or two practical skills chosen for your situation, so you get some space quickly.
- We look at how you switch off, so being "on" isn't the default.
Reconnect with what matters
- We work out what matters to you and what's getting in the way.
- You build the skills into your routine, so the change happens in your week.
Stay on track
- We put together your own plan for staying well, including the early signs to watch for.
- The aim is that you can say why this happened, what kept it going, what helped, and what to do next time.
What's included
Built around a busy week
- 25-minute online sessions, early in the morning or late in the eveningSo sessions fit your week, not the other way round.
- Online booking and reschedulingSo you can move a session when work gets busy, without the back and forth.
- Session summaries and a resources portalSo you can look back at what worked.
- A troubleshooting email between sessionsSo you can get unstuck without waiting for your next session.
- Lifetime access to your resourcesSo you can keep using them after the sessions end.
- Progress measures at the start and the endSo you can see what has changed, in numbers.
- Your written plan for staying wellSo you know how to stay on track.
- The option of a one-off top-up session later, for £170So you can pick up where you left off, rather than start again.
The Stress Lab
£445
Three 25-minute sessions, plus all the extras: session summaries, lifetime access to your resources, a troubleshooting email between sessions, progress measures and your written plan for staying well.
The Stress Lab is self-funded and can't be claimed through health insurance.
You're in control
You set the pace. Come back any time.
If you stop early, you keep your summaries and resources. If you'd like a refresher later, you can book a one-off top-up session for £170 and pick up where you left off.
The Stress Lab is three sessions for £445. If you stop early, I refund any unused sessions.
Is the Stress Lab right for you?
It suits you if you want focused, practical help and you're ready to try things out between sessions.
We will decide this when we speak. Sometimes the Stress Lab is the right option, sometimes it's weekly therapy, sometimes it's neither. We can talk this through on the consultation call.
I'd rather point you to the right option than the quickest one.
Why work with me
Dr Brett Hayes
I'm an HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist (PYL043819) specialising in men, and a trained EMDR therapist. My qualifications are BSc (Hons), MSc and DClinPsy, and I have contributed to peer-reviewed research in psychology.
I have worked in mental health for many years, across a range of clinical and specialist settings. I work almost entirely with men who've never sat across from a therapist before.
The Stress Lab is based on contextual behavioural science and uses the Acceptance and Commitment model, a practical, evidence based approach that is well evidenced for stress and anxiety.
Questions
Before you book
Who is it for?
Men who are dealing with stress and want focused, practical help that fits around work.
What can I get out of it?
The Stress Lab aims to give you breathing room, practical skills you can use day to day, and your own plan for staying on track. Everyone is different, so we measure how things are going from the first session. That way you can see for yourself whether it's helping.
How many sessions are there?
3 sessions. We agree how often we meet based on what suits you. Every two weeks is often a good place to start.
Can three sessions really help?
They can, and short formats are a recognised way of working. Many studies of this approach have tested brief formats of two to four sessions. Everyone is different, so we measure how things are going from the first session, and if something else would suit you better, I'll let you know.
How much does it cost?
The Stress Lab is £445 for all 3 sessions, including all the extras.
Online or in person?
It's online only, via Microsoft Teams.
Is my stress bad enough for this?
You don't need to be at breaking point. Many men want to get on top of things early, while work and home are still going.
Can I use health insurance?
No. It's self-funded, so you pay for it yourself and can't claim it through health insurance.
What if I need to reschedule?
You can book and reschedule online. A brief cancellation policy applies, and I'll go through it with you before we begin.
Do I have to go through my whole history?
No. We focus on what's keeping you stuck now. If something from the past is relevant, we'll look at it, but only when it helps.
Can I stop part way through?
Yes. You can stop at any point and keep everything you've learned so far. I refund any unused sessions.
What if I want more support?
We can move to weekly therapy, or you can book a one-off top-up session later for £170.
What happens after my 3 sessions?
You finish with your skills and your plan. If you want help keeping things going, you can book a one-off top-up session later for £170.
What happens after I book a consultation?
You choose a time online for a free 20-minute call. We talk about what's going on, and we'll work out whether the Stress Lab, weekly therapy or something else is the right fit. If the Stress Lab suits you, you can book your first session online.
Is it confidential?
Yes. What you share stays between us, within the usual professional and legal limits that apply to all registered psychologists.
What's your refund and cancellation policy?
If you stop early, I refund any unused sessions. If you book online, you also have a 14-day cooling-off period. A brief cancellation policy applies, and I'll go through it with you before we begin.
Next step
Book a free consultation call
We'll talk about what's going on, and we'll work out whether the Stress Lab, weekly therapy or something else is the right fit.
Book your callNot ready to talk yet? Get the free 10 Minute Audit, a short exercise to find out what's draining you, sent straight to your inbox.