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I have current availability.  

I practise psychoanalytic psychotherapy, also known as psychodynamic psychotherapy, with individual adults and older adolescents. I also offer psychotherapy to parents with infants under 12 months old, where there is a concern about the bonding, or the relationship with the infant, or the parent may feel concerned about their feelings towards the baby.

 Psychoanalytic/dynamic psychotherapy is based on the ideas that our past relationships and experiences often influence our current experience in relationships and life and that we are not always wholly aware of the thoughts and beliefs which influence us. For example, someone may repeatedly choose partners they feel are 'wrong' for them, and yet, despite this awareness, they continue with this pattern.   It is this appreciation of an unconscious element in our minds which distinguishes psychoanalytic therapy from other approaches. When people feel they know themselves more, they find this helps with making choices. Although someone’s early life experiences will be discussed,  the focus of the therapy is on the present and living a more satisfying current life

Psychodynamic therapy suits people who are curious about themselves, who are willing to talk about their lifes and relationships. past and present, and feel there is value in doing if it enhances their self awareness.  

Confidentiality in psychotherapy and counselling is very important and taken seriously. It is essential that the individual feels safe enough,  respected and in no way judged in order that they begin to talk about personal and often very private matters. 

I would see you in my comfortable, quiet and confidential room. I invite you tell me about yourself, what has brought you to seek psychotherapy and what you are hoping to get out of it. Having gained an understanding of the issues, I would then summarise them with you. It is important that you broadly agree, and this understanding forms the focus of the therapy.  You will find that I am an attentive listener, and while I will give you plenty of space to say what you want, I will also ask some questions to help my understanding.   

In terms of practicalities, sessions are 50 minutes long,  and start and end on time, and are typically at the same time each week. I usually see clients at a minimum of once weekly, but this can be discussed if it feels problematic.  Unfortunately , I cannot extend the session time, for example,  if you are late to arrive. I do not charge if I cancel your session, such as for holiday, but I do charge if you cancel, unless I can fill the session time.  

Following you contacting me by phone or email,   would offer you a consultation.  I prefer this to be in person, but if that is not possible, then it can be online. I invite you tell me about yourself, what has brought you to seek psychotherapy and what you are hoping to get out of it. You will find that I am an attentive listener, and while I will give you plenty of space to say what you want, I will also ask some questions to help my understanding. After a few sessions, which is generally known as the assessment period, I will summarise my understanding of the issues, see if you agree, and then discuss with you how best to approach them in therapy. My fee is the same for assessment and for therapy sessions.  I am also happy to offer an initial telephone contact of about 10 minutes  for which there is no charge.  

I have availability to offer consultation/ supervision to individuals on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Sessions last 50 - 60 mins. I can offer on line supervision , but it would be good to meet in person at least once at the outset, if possible. 

My annual leave generally fits with the typical Christmas and Easter holiday period. My summer break is in August. I may also take a midterm break on occasion.  

I am an adult psychoanalytic psychotherapist and offer psychotherapy to practitioners trained, or who are currently training, or wish to learn this approach. I qualified in 2007, after a long and rigorous training. I have myself had intensive long term psychotherapy and I would expect practitioners in psychoanalytic /dynamic psychotherapy to also have had, or be in regular psychotherapy themselves at a minimum of once a week.  

I have worked in mental health for about 40 years and as psychoanalytic psychotherapist since qualification in 2007,  both in the NHS and in private practice. I have experience of working with a wide range of presentations, across the life span and in a range of settings - clinic and community based.  I am also qualified as a parent-infant psychotherapist. I teach and train in the field of psychoanalysis,  psychotherapy and developmental psychology and supervise other psychotherapists or trainees. I am a training therapist for qualifying courses in psychodynamic psychotherapy. My back ground is that following under graduate degree, and interested and curious about human behaviour, relationships, mental health and illness, I trained as a psychodynamic social worker and specialised in initially adult mental health and then child, adolescent and families. I have worked in NHS  multi-disciplinary teams, so am familiar with the perspective of other mental health professionals, and I know my way around the NHS mental health settings and systems.  

I usually suggest an initial meeting to discuss what you are looking for in supervision, and other practicalities. It is useful to hear about a piece of clinical work, and then we can both get a sense of how each other thinks and understands the work, and whether we think we can work together. Once agreed, we would usually keep to the same time and frequency, but I can try to be flexible if needed. I welcome feedback, and would prefer to hear about, at an early stage, any difficulties you are experiencing that you feel is impacting upon the work or upon your experience of supervision, so we can hopefully address them. 

I see individuals over the age 17 for assessment as to suitability for psychoanalytic/dynamic psychotherapy, and also I also offer  psychotherapy.   Individuals seek psychotherapy for a  range of mental health/emotional issues, such as mood difficulties, anxiety, difficulties with sleep, eating, daily functioning, identity issues, including concerns about gender identity.  I would consider a person's difficulties within the context of their past and present relationships and experiences.   Even if the individual has been assessed elsewhere, I would always do my own assessment and discuss my opinion with the individual at the outset.  Some individuals may have unrealistic ideas as to what psychotherapy can achieve, and if I don't think what I can offer would be helpful for them, I would always discuss other options . My therapeutic frame is typical for psychoanalytic psychotherapist in that sessions last 50 minutes with good notice of any breaks I intend to take. I  offer myself and my consulting room as a  safe, reliable space to enable a person to bring their thoughts and feelings, including their most difficult, and about which they may feel great discomfort.  

Some individuals sit, others use the couch. I tend to see people for long terms therapy, but this depends upon what the individual is seeking, and is discussed in the assessment period. . 

I offer a free, brief to potential supervisees - 15/20 minute  - phone conversation, and this is to ascertain the basics as to what you are looking for and what I offer. Should it seem indicated,  we would then meet, preferably in person if possible, and then discuss further as I have described above  I would charge for this second contact.