Patrick Maxwell

Patrick Maxwell is the Lead Therapist for Addictions at Nightingale Hospital, where he supports individuals through addiction recovery using evidence-based therapy and a compassionate, person-centred approach. With over 30 years of experience in mental health care, he has worked extensively across NHS and private settings in both clinical and leadership roles. His specialist areas include alcohol and gambling addiction, behavioural addictions, dual diagnosis, mood disorders, interpersonal difficulties, and trauma-related conditions such as PTSD.

Patrick began his career as a psychiatric nurse before transitioning into psychotherapy, where he now specialises in addiction treatment. At Nightingale Hospital, he provides support for patients on the hospital’s 28-day addiction treatment programme and offers short- and long-term therapy, including relapse prevention, trauma support and EMDR. His work combines counselling with structured addiction interventions, including detox programmes, to help clients navigate the emotional, psychological and physical aspects of recovery.

He has worked across inpatient and outpatient services and spent several years on a dual diagnosis programme supporting individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use challenges. Before joining Nightingale Hospital, he held positions at the Priory Hospital Roehampton and the Perry Clayman Project, where he also served as a CQC Registered Manager overseeing residential care. Earlier in his career, Patrick worked for over a decade at St Patrick’s University Hospital in Dublin, where he was an addiction counsellor and senior nurse across acute and addiction services.

Patrick’s therapeutic approach is collaborative and grounded in respect for each person’s individual journey. He sees his role as helping people reconnect with their authentic selves through growth, insight, and lasting change. As he puts it: “Remain humble and embrace all the possibilities recovery can bring.”

He holds a BSc (Hons) in Counselling & Psychotherapy, a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology with Merit, a Diploma in Addiction Studies, and a Diploma in Counselling. He is a Registered Mental Nurse and has completed Parts 1 and 2 of EMDR training. Patrick is an accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP) and a member of the Federation of Drug & Alcohol Practitioners (MFDAP).