Counselling and Therapy in London Fields, Hackney E8
Hello and welcome.
The first step to find a therapist can feel daunting. We all strive to be strong and self sufficient. But be assured that seeking support is a sign of self-awareness and wisdom, not weakness. As a Counsellor with over 20 years of experience of I have worked with people from different walks of life with many different issues (please see page “about me”).
I recognise that you may have a lot of other demands on your time and are not always able to come to sessions in person. I offer flexible therapy options which include: In-person sessions at my Hackney consulting room, online sessions via Zoom, phone sessions as well as a combination of these approaches.
How to choose the right Therapist or Counsellor?
This is really important to find the right person for you. All the research shows that the relationship you develop with the therapist is the most important factor to achieve positive change. You need to feel comfortable with them and to trust that in time you will feel safe enough to talk about messy, distressing and sometimes even shameful things.
I recommend:
1.Start by searching through professional organisations like BACP (British Association of Psychotherapists) or UKCP (United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy) or HPCP (Health and Care Professionals council)
2. Review the profiles of accredited professionals
3. Arrange an initial consultation with therapists who resonate with you
4. Begin with a set of sessions before making a longer-term commitment.
My approach integrates several therapeutic frameworks which have arisen from my personal and professional experience:
Psychodynamic Theory
Understanding how unconscious mental processes, shaped by early childhood experiences, influence our behaviour and coping strategies.
Attachment Theory
Exploring how early relationships impact our identity and shape our current relationships.
Systemic Theory
Examining individual challenges we face within the context of family, work, and community relationships.
I acknowledge the role of genetics and the broader social, economic, and political environment in shaping who we are.
Hopefully I am not dogmatic in my thinking and am always open to new ideas. I am interested in anything that will help to improve quality of life.
What is the difference between Counselling and Psychotherapy?
People often ask this.
Counsellors tend to see people for shorter periods of time and often will choose to focus on a particular issue or event. Psychotherapists are trained to work at greater intensity, often seeing people up to five times a week, addressing the immediate problems as well as the underlying causes.
In practice the distinction between the two can blur according to the experience of the practitioner. I am qualified as a Counsellor, however my many years of experience has equipped me with the skills to work at the depth of a Psychotherapist. My accreditation with the BACP is a recognition of this.
What kind of issues bring people to Therapy and Counselling?
Life can be really tough. All of us struggle at different times in our lives. This can simply be due to a the pace of it, or with more challenging events such as a death of someone important to us, the break up of a relationship, illness, the birth of children, struggles with work, family life etc. Having someone who understands all of what is going on will always be helpful. While family and friends can be very valuable, the distance of therapy provides a safer space to explore vulnerable feelings.
What happens in a Counselling Therapy session?
As a Counsellor / Psychotherapist I aim to provide a confidential non judgemental space to allow you to feel safe to be yourself. This means getting to know about the things that led you to therapy, and gain some understanding about your earlier life and patterns which have developed. I will also want to know about your strengths, the things in life you enjoy and provide fun as well as the hopes you may have for the future.
How does therapy counselling help?
The continuity of weekly sessions helps to build a safe relationship, making it possible to talk about things that may otherwise feel difficult.
i don't have magical answers to give you. I cannot change a difficult past. However, the process of sharing hidden, messy thoughts and feelings in a safe environment can be surprisingly powerful. I aim to join with you to try to understand some of the things that have been troubling you, and to work together to try to understand the causes and facilitate more constructive patterns of relating to yourself and others. This can generally lead to an improved quality of life with greater confidence and resilience.
If you would like to learn more, please contact me with any questions. You are also welcome to have an initial meeting by phone, online or in person at the London Fields Hackney (E8) consulting rooms with absolutely no obligation to continue.
