About Counselling & Psychotherapy

 

Psychotherapy, which is often referred to as “counselling” or simply “therapy”, offers a safe and confidential space where you can speak about difficult personal issues with a qualified professional. The kind of therapy that I practice is called psychodynamic psychotherapy and it aims at helping people gain a greater understanding of their present challenges and overcoming them.

In the sessions we will understand in greater depth the problems you are facing today in the context of your past patterns and relationships. We will explore the reasons why you might be facing the current difficulties and we will try to identify different ways forward. We will do this at your own pace and without judgement. You will have the freedom to speak about anything that is troubling you in our sessions or anything on your mind, and with my support, we will try to understand and face the challenge

As a psychodynamic therapist I will also be tuned into any unconscious clues that help us to understand more of your inner world and your ways of relating to others. Some people bring their dreams to the sessions which can prove to be very effective for accessing unconscious thoughts.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy is particularly helpful to people who wish to understand themselves and their difficulties more deeply, rather than only seeking symptom control. It is an open-ended type of therapy which means that we will not set a number of sessions at the start of the work but your therapy will be ongoing until you feel ready to end it.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy has proven effective for a wide range of issues including:

Psychosomatic Issues

“It feels real because it is real. Your paralysis is not imagined, but that does not necessarily mean that it is a primarily physical disorder.”

Issues with self-esteem and self-image

"My self-esteem has almost disappeared.... I don't know how to interact with people...

Work-related Issues

“I felt an overwhelming sense of inadequacy every day, which led me to depression. I would feel afraid every day when I got up to go to work…”

Parenting and Family Issues

“How do you provide a healthy barrier for your child to bounce off and let them know that we “have their back”

Issues of sexual orientation and identity

“I feel like my body is in a waiting room.”

Sexual problems

“People tend to link "sex and drugs" because both are condemned by society.

Relationship Difficulties

“There is no pain equal to that which two lovers can inflict on one another.”

Trauma

"I don't want to talk to anyone, and all I can think about is what has happened and that it will happen again."

Loss and Bereavement

“All the happy times that have followed Clare’s death have a hint of deep sadness for me.”

Depression and Suicidal Thoughts

What is depression like? It's like drowning, except everyone around you is breanthing

Anxiety and Panic Attacks

”It’s like drowning, except everyone around you is breathing.”