I want to be all I am capable of becoming
Katherine Mansfield
WHY HAVE THERAPY?
A long time ago, I asked a friend who was having therapy why he needed it. "To get rid of excess baggage. Why would I want to carry an extra sack of stones throughout my life?" It was a good answer, and one I have given many times as a therapist.
I believe we have one life that we need to nurture as best we can. This means working through whatever weighs us down and prevents us being our best selves. Therapy does not come with all the answers, but it offers a safe place where you can explore how your experiences and/or beliefs might hold you back. How you respond to a situation can be more important than the situation itself. If we can spot your patterns together, we can explore why they got there, what they are doing and how they might be adapted so you can live your best life.
Life can throw up many challenges: there are times when you might feel stuck or swamped: with family, work or relationship problems; with your sense of identity or need for independence, health and security. Such problems may relate to the present, past or even future. They may seem small, but like a tiny shard of glass stuck in your foot, they will still hurt.
I am committed to helping my clients work through whatever may be causing them distress or confusion. You may wish to work through a particular issue or feeling, or may simply want a safe place to talk and be listened to. These sessions should be about your life and your life journey, however it unfolds.
ABOUT ME
I am a qualified psychotherapeutic counsellor, registered with the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP). I have studied at City Lit and the Minster Centre (MA/PG Dip Advanced Clinical Practice in Psychotherapy and Counselling). I have been practising since 2017.
Before becoming a psychotherapist, I worked in television, journalism and the charitable sector. My life experiences and work have taken me to many countries and cultures, and I welcome people from all backgrounds and lifestyles.
I work non-judgmentally, with whatever material you wish to bring.
I have trained as an integrative therapist. If this term is unfamiliar to you, it refers to using a selection of techniques and approaches rather than practising from a specific approach/framework (such as person-centred, psychodynamic or behaviour-focused). For more information, look at the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists' website Types of Therapy. There are additional links in the following section of this website.
I think it is important to work at my client's pace, in the way that is best suited to them. For some people, it may be helpful to think about past relationships and experiences; for others, looking at existing patterns or responses may seem more relevant. Each person is different and I try to work with that difference, taking my cue from each individual client.
I believe in the importance of relationships, and see our ability to manoeuvre relationships and interactions with family, friends and other people as fundamental to our sense of wholeness and wellbeing. It is important that you feel comfortable with me, and I recommend we have a trial session before committing to any work together. How long that relationship lasts depends on what you are looking for, but I recommend an initial six-session commitment, after which we can assess your situation and needs. Some people find the issues they have come with are adequately addressed after a few sessions, while others prefer to work over a longer period of time. Sometimes, clients leave and come back - and that's fine with me.
Each situation is unique and I will work with whatever suits you.
FIND OUT A LITTLE MORE
What others say about therapy
BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF COUNSELLORS AND PSYCHOTHERAPISTS
If you're not sure whether therapy could help, or indeed what it might mean, this guide Thinking About Therapy? might help you find the information you need.
The same website also provides a good guide to How Therapy Works, in terms of sessions, length, confidentiality etc.
A similar NHS site contains general information as well as access details.
YOUTUBE LINKS AND SHORT FILMS
There are many films online that can help you understand therapy, or prepare you for a first visit. Here is a very small selection on YouTube.
Animation about psychotherapy from the School of Life
Beautiful animation about isolation and self-worth by Hannah Grace
Why You Should Try Therapy Yesterday
TED Talk about therapy by Dr. Emily Anhalt
Changing views on mental health in the Black community
TED Talk about access to therapy by Chante Meadows
MY PRACTICE
SESSIONS
Sessions are 50 minutes long, at the same time each week.
I currently offer face-to-face sessions in my private consulting room in N7 - a five-minute walk from Tufnell Park tube station.
I also continue to work remotely by Zoom or telephone. I can be flexible with this, because there are times it may be difficult to meet in person. However, I try to keep to an agreed hour and day.
I work abroad during the months of May and October. During these times, I continue meeting remotely, by Zoom or telephone, or offer clients the option of a break.
HOW LONG?
I recommend we have an initial exploratory session, and if we feel we might work well together, I will suggest we commit to a minimum of six sessions. Some people can benefit hugely from short-term focus. Others may want to use this time to explore what therapy has to offer.
We can end there or decide to work for a longer period of time, or just keep things open. There really are no rules, and the framework and time will be determined by your needs.
CONFIDENTIALITY
I work to BACP regulation and protocol, following their guidelines to ensure the safety and ethical standards of the profession.
Full details can been found on the BACP website.
FEES
I charge £75 per session.
I offer a limited number of sessions at a concessionary rate, but this provision is currently full.
I periodically review my fees.