What sorts of problems am I able to help with?

I have successfully helped people with a range of issues and emotional difficulties:

• Relationship difficulties and intimacy challenges
• Anxiety, depression and emotional dysregulation
• Trauma and unresolved issues from childhood
• Persistent patterns of self-criticism or low self-worth
• Difficulties in forming or maintaining secure attachments
• Bereavement
• Stress and burn-out
• Addictions
• Self-harm
• Eating disorders
• Post-traumatic stress and dissociation
• Feeling stuck
• Facing a difficult life change

I’ve also developed specific experience of working with those who have discovered in adulthood (perhaps through DNA testing) that they were donor conceived or that their parentage or biological identity is different to what they had assumed.

What kind of therapy do I provide?

I provide psychotherapy from an attachment-based approach within a relational psychoanalytic model to help clients improve the quality of their relationships and their life, so freeing them to live with greater fulfilment and self-acceptance. You can read more about my approach here.

How is this approach different from other forms of therapy?

Unlike therapies that might focus solely on relieving or managing symptoms or thoughts or concentrate on behavioural change, attachment-based psychoanalytic psychotherapy aims to bring about deep-seated ‘characterological’ change and development by exploring your early relational experiences and unconscious processes. It emphasises the therapeutic relationship as a microcosm for understanding and transforming your patterns of attachment while developing greater emotional regulation.

What happens during a typical therapy session?

In sessions, we will work together to build a trusting, empathetic relationship in a non-judgemental environment where you feel respected. You’ll be invited to speak openly and freely and we will explore past experiences and current relational dynamics and work with whatever emotions emerge. The process is gradual and collaborative, with the therapy helping you reflect on both your internal world and your interactions with others. We’ll also explore feelings about past relationships that might be redirected onto me, the therapist (a process called transference) to help you gain insight into your inner world.

Will issues of power, privilege, and social inequality be addressed?

Attachment-based psychoanalytic psychotherapy is typically mindful of, and sensitive to, the broader systemic social, political, and economic forces that shape our lives. As such, it embraces inclusivity and socially aware practices. In our work together, I invite reflection around prejudice, discrimination, and systemic oppression and ongoing exploration as to how these might impact clients’ lives as well as our therapy relationship.

What if discussing my past feels overwhelming?

It’s completely normal to feel vulnerable, uncomfortable or anxious when exploring painful or challenging material. It’s important that you feel that you yourself are in control of pacing the work. I aim to offer a safe, supportive environment that helps you navigate difficult issues gradually, in a way that doesn’t feel overwhelming.

Where will we meet for sessions?

I have a consulting room near Old Street, London, which is conveniently located for public transport, and also a home-based consulting room near Stratford, London, where I can offer on-street parking. I also work online with clients based at any location.

What are my practice hours?

My practice hours are from Monday to Friday, with both early morning and evening appointments available.

What happens at the first appointment?

As a first step, I offer an initial 15-minute Zoom consultation, free of charge, to give you a sense of me and my approach and to see if we'd like to go ahead. At the first full appointment, we will then explore together what’s brought you to therapy, enquire about your history and discuss whether a period of psychotherapy might be of benefit to you. This first session is also an opportunity for you to ask questions and find out more about the therapeutic process. Together, we can then decide whether to continue working together.

How frequent are the sessions?

Once-weekly or twice-weekly sessions are usual, but we may decide together that it’s clinically appropriate to have sessions either more or less frequently.

How long are the sessions?

Sessions are 50 minutes long and normally take place at the same time on the same day each week.

How much does psychotherapy cost?

The fee will be agreed with you before we start working together.

How long will psychotherapy take?

There is no set time limit on psychotherapy and the duration can vary widely. Some clients may experience meaningful change in a shorter period, while those with more complex issues might engage in longer-term therapy.  However, if you need to work on deep-rooted or difficult issues that have been troubling you for some time, then, in my experience, therapy is most beneficial when it is a longer-term undertaking. On the other hand, if you are facing a specific, situational difficulty or you have been through a specific challenging life event you want to address, you may find you get significant benefit from therapy after a few weeks or months. The process is unique to you and evolves based on your specific needs and progress.

What happens if I have to cancel a regular session for an unavoidable reason?

Psychotherapy requires a regular weekly time commitment. Once you begin, we set aside the same time for you each week to maintain the regularity and continuity of your sessions for the duration of your therapy. As your session time is reserved specifically for you, I would like two weeks’ notice should you need to rearrange a session. Short-notice cancellations will be charged for unless we are able to rearrange the session for another time that week. I will always try to rearrange a different session time with you rather than having to cancel, but this may not be possible every time. Of course, you will not be charged if I am absent for any reason.

How soon will I know if psychotherapy is helping me?

After three or four sessions you will probably have a good sense of whether the therapy is likely to be of benefit. It is often helpful to have a review at this point to decide whether to continue.

How will I know I’m making progress?

Progress in an attachment-based therapy often comes through increased self-awareness, improved emotional regulation, and healthier relationships. You might notice a shift in how you relate to yourself and others. Periodic reviews can help us gauge your growth together and adjust the focus as needed.

How do I end psychotherapy?

When you feel it might be time to draw therapy to an end, it can helpful to discuss it fully together to make sure that all aspects of the decision have been carefully considered and explored. If we have been working together for some time, we might spend some time co-constructing a termination that acknowledges the deep emotional work done together, processes the feelings around separation and loss, and equips you with an internal secure base for the future.