My Approach:
My method of working is known as psychoanalytic or sometimes psychodynamic. Overall it is a simple notion that what we feel and experience day to day has deeper connection to less familiar sentiments and attachments, which are the residue of past experience. Our earlier experiences and relationships, particularly as we are growing up are part of the building blocks of who we are. They can affect how we feel about ourselves and how we act and respond in our relationships and the social groups and communities to which we belong.
As we secure our transition into adult life we rely upon those earlier foundations to take us through the unfamiliar and sometimes demanding terrain of relationships in a complex world. Yet they can at times get in the way of realising the hope, excitement and more meaningful life that we expected.
To contact your deeper feelings with the therapist is aimed at defusing their power. It can provide an understanding and resolution to earlier difficulties, giving a greater sense of engagement in the here and now and feeling of personal choice and direction. Therapy provides a safe and supportive space where those deeper connections can become known and where they can start to be talked through.
What happens in the Therapy?
People come to therapy for many reasons but mainly with some pain, frustration or anger that at times can overwhelm them. A decision to approach a therapist is not taken lightly when at a critical point where emotions are high, or where life feels flat if many areas of life are too difficult to address alone or with friends and family. Some points of difficulty are more easily identifiable such as losing someone you love, others are not. Therapy gives you the space to look at this.
The focus really is on you and supporting your resolve. As your therapist, my skills, qualifications and experience are all there to help you. I offer a confidential non-judgemental setting where, by working together, we can recognise the previously hidden patterns in your inner world and how they affect you and your relationships. The aim is for you to feel differently and make positive changes in your life.
Through talking about your concerns and worries you can begin to connect with your own deeper feelings. This is where new patterns of relating and being at one with yourself can grow; so that you can move on and feel better placed in your relationships. Therapy provides a safe and trusted space for you to work through this with the help of your therapist.
What happens next?
Once you have contacted me I will be in touch either by email or phone to arrange a suitable time for the initial consultation. This first meeting can last between an hour and an hour and a quarter.
What is an initial consultation?
It is an opportunity for you to talk about what brings you to counselling or psychotherapy and where the I will clarify any aspect of my counselling and psychoanalytic approach which you may have uncertainties about. I will ask about some aspects of your personal history; yet you won't be put under pressure. How you are feeling about life and relationships is of key importance in therapy rather than the therapy itself being another set of expectations you may feel you have to meet. At the end of the Initial Consultation a decision will be made with the therapist about whether to go ahead with further sessions. When accepting an offer of therapy the fee and the time and frequency of regular sessions will be agreed.
The session
Once you take up therapy, what has been agreed about time and fee will be confirmed in writing. Session duration is usually 50 minutes with an expectation of weekly sessions or twice weekly if agreed with the therapist.
I offer private psychotherapy services for these issues: abuse, addictions, anxiety, assertiveness, bereavement, childhood issues, creativity, depression, dissociation, fear, history of mental health problems, hysteria, identity, inhibitions, lack of meaning in life, low self confidence, low self esteem, obsessions, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), panic attacks, personal growth, personal relationships, phobias, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), self development, self harm, sexual abuse, sexuality, sleep problems, social phobia, stress, suicidal thoughts, transitions, trauma, workplace issues and work relationship problems. Qualifications & Training
MA Psychotherapy – Goldsmiths College, University of London 2001.
MA and Diploma Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychotherapy and Social Studies (IPSS) (UK) 2006.
UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) Registered Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist since 2006.
I am committed to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in Psychotherapy and am currently a PhD researcher in Psychoanalysis at The Centre for Psychoanalytic Studies, University of Essex.
I abide by the Code of Ethics of the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) and the Code of Ethics of the Institute of Psychotherapy and Social Studies (IPSS).Experience
I work as a full time psychotherapist from my private practice in Soho, Central London, as well as research matters of theory and clinical practice as a PhD researcher at The Centre for Psychoanalytic Studies at Essex University. After providing counselling and therapy and managing and researching into counselling services at different points in my career, I undertook a psychoanalytic training, which spanned over 8 years, including two MAs from Goldsmiths, London University and London Metropolitan University, a Diploma in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy and a 6 year personal analysis. Over part of that time I was managing a Community Mental Health Day Centre supported by Local Authorities and NHS. My counselling practice developed over that time and was intensively supervised as part of my trainings. Since qualifying as a psychoanalytic psychotherapist in 2006 I established myself as a full time Associate Psychotherapist at LACAP (London Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy) near to the City in Aldgate, and built up my private practice, working mainly with people either living or working around Central London. I now practice independently in Regent Street’s Linen Hall, as do a number of other psychotherapists.Fees
I offer fees on a sliding scale depending on your financial situation (no proof required).
Individuals: first session set at £57.50, subsequent appointments between £40.00 and £75.00 - 50 minutes.
Key words for this entry:
Individual Counselling, Adults, Elderly, Men, Women, Long-term, Time-limited, Low-cost sessions, Abuse, Addiction, Anger, Anxiety, Attachment, Bereavement, Bullying, Child Abuse, Commitment, Conflict, Crisis Support, Depression, Disabilities, Domestic abuse, Eating, HIV, Identity, Insomnia, Loss, Self-esteem, Narcissism, OCD, Panic, Psychosexual, Psychosomatic, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Relationships, Self-confidence, Self-harm, Sexual Abuse, Sexuality, Stress, Suicide, Trauma, Workplace, Counselling, Psychodynamic, Psychotherapy. |
