Adam Ryan

I offer men’s counselling in Birmingham and Solihull, specialising in outdoor therapy with evening sessions available.

I am a BACP-registered counsellor (MBACP) with a Level 4 Diploma in Person-Centred Therapeutic Counselling. I hold full professional indemnity insurance and an enhanced DBS certificate.

My professional background includes:

• Addiction & Recovery: Several years working in addiction services and men’s gambling rehabilitation.
• Neurodiversity: Lived experience of ADHD, professional experience in working with autism and specialist ADHD training.
• Mental Health Counselling: Experience working in community counselling settings with adults navigating a wide range of difficulties, currently in my own practice.
• Environment & Nature: A Level 3 Certificate in Countryside Management and Environmental Studies, following a period of working in the nature conservation sector.

I work with men (25+) and have a specific interest in the ways in which shame informs men’s experiences. My background in conservation and environmental studies informs my choice to work outdoors, while my experience in addiction services allows me to sit with complex and difficult life situations.

As a man, I have lived experience and insight into many of the issues that men face, be it relationships, work, sex, the pressures of family life and the, at times, conflicting messages that we receive from society about what it means to be a man. Where I don’t, I lead with curiosity, seeking to understand first and foremost what it is like to be you.

I am a B1 Mandarin speaker. Although unable to provide sessions wholly in Mandarin, I am able to offer conversational support to native speakers where English feels an insufficient mode of expression.

The men I work with come for support with a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, overwhelm, burnout, low self-esteem and the feeling of having lost connection with themselves. Many of those I support have spent years overthinking, pushing through or trying to cope alone.

Sessions take place outdoors in Clowes Wood, on the outskirts of Birmingham and Solihull, as well as in Highbury Park in Kings Heath. I also offer remote nature-based sessions and traditional online sessions nationwide.

Counselling In The Outdoors:

Counselling can feel incredibly daunting for men – when you’ve grown up with the message that feelings or asking for help are signs of weakness then of course the prospect of 50 minutes, in a room, with a stranger, feeling the weight of expectation to just ‘let it all out’ will feel intense.

But take a moment to imagine: a walk through the woods, just talking. Talking about life, about the meaning of things, about meaningful things with somebody who seems to get it. With the support of nature and the freedom to move or sit as you please we can work to create a space in which you can talk about the difficult things you have avoided for months, years or maybe even decades.

And as you do you notice that the process is lighter than you expected, and that it starts to feel like a burden has been lifted. Men I’ve worked with report a newfound sense of themselves as a whole person, an ability to navigate life on life’s terms and a capacity to face difficulties with calm, dignity and openness.

This is how I work. And experience tells me that for many men, this approach really works.

A Neuro-Affirming Space:

My practice is also neurodiversity friendly. Having lived experience of ADHD, I provide a low-pressure environment where you are welcome to be muddled, to move, or to drop the mask you carry in daily life. Whether you are navigating the specific challenges of neurodiversity or feel stuck in a cycle of shame and overwhelm, this is a space where you are understood without having to perform.

Next Steps: 

If you feel we might be a good fit, please get in touch to book a free 15-minute introductory phone call. This is an opportunity for us to connect, discuss what you are looking for, and see how we might work together.