My Approach

My background in social work and Integrative psychotherapy compliment my long-long-standing commitment to working sensitively and openly with difference and diversity. My Integrative training has also given me a range of therapeutic skills which are informed by (although not limited to); psychodynamic, humanistic, existential and CBT concepts. This enables me to tailor my approach to suit the unique needs of each individual.

Whatever your reasons for starting therapy, I offer a confidential, non-judgmental, supportive space where you can explore and better understand your thoughts, feelings and life experiences in order to develop a more contented sense of yourself. The main essence of my approach is that:

Everyone has the right to feel proud of who they are and I take the importance of respecting equality and diversity very seriously. I also believe that as humans we are all vulnerable to making mistakes and poor choices. Although this may feel devastating at times, counselling and psychotherapy can help us learn from these challenges and move forward rather than allow shame and regret to destroy our potential.

About Me

‘This member has completed UKCP Covid-19 Online Working Guidance’

Hi, I’m Andrea Scherzer and I offer short- and long-term Integrative psychotherapy/counselling and clinical supervision in South/West Hampstead, London, NW6. I am also happy to arrange Zoom, Skype and phone sessions if/when required.

I was born and raised in New York but moved to London in 1990. I started out in education social work in London and completed a 4 year MA in Integrative Psychotherapy and Counselling at Regent’s University London in 1999. I have been registered with the UKCP since 2000 and have been running a private practice since 2001 where I see clients from diverse backgrounds with a wide range of presenting issues. I also have 25 years specialist expertise helping people with eating disorders and other self-harming difficulties and have worked with teams in the NHS, private healthcare sector, State secondary education system and in University and Psychotherapy training settings. In recent years I have developed a particular interest in supporting those in the helping professions whose experience of burn-out and re-traumatisation has resulted in addictive/self-destructive coping mechanisms. I have been providing Integrative clinical supervision to qualified and trainee therapists since 2005, was an associate lecturer, module leader and training supervisor at the Regent’s University School of Psychotherapy and Psychology from 2006-2020 and have been a visiting lecturer at The City Literary Institute, London since 2015.

I understand that the idea of starting counselling/psychotherapy can be anxiety-provoking as I’ve been there myself. However I’ve also seen from personal and professional experience that improving our relationship with ourselves can be empowering and can help us gain the confidence to make positive changes to different areas of our lives.
A few examples of the many diverse issues I have helped people to make sense of and overcome are:
• Depression and mood instability.
• Anxiety and post-traumatic stress.
• Eating disorders, self-harm and substance misuse.
• Low self-esteem/low self-confidence and issues around shame.
• Identity concerns (including gender uncertainty and sexual preference).
• Relationship and communication difficulties.
• Struggles with life transitions (e.g. finishing school/university, changing jobs or location, marriage, divorce, childbirth, retirement, ageing).
• Bullying in the workplace, through social media and in other contexts.
• Bereavement, grief, loss.


I offer short- (minimum 12 weeks) and long- term (no time limit) therapy. Once you make contact we will arrange an initial 60 minute assessment during which you can tell me about yourself and what you would like help with and I can tell you more about me and what I can offer. If you decide to go forward, we will agree a regular session time which usually occurs once or twice weekly for 50 minutes. I am here to listen without judgement and the space is yours to discuss and explore whatever is on your mind. It is my job to help you make sense of your feelings and experiences with the ultimate goal being improved confidence, self-awareness and overall wellbeing. It’s important to remember there are rarely clear-cut answers to life’s dilemmas and therapy is not designed to provide quick solutions. It is a mutual process which requires commitment and work from both client and therapist and progress often takes time.

If you are over 16 and looking for psychotherapy/counselling or clinical supervision in West Hampstead please feel free to contact me.

I work with

• Individuals

Special Interests

Like all UKCP registered psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors I can work with a wide range of issues, but here are some areas in which I have a special interest or additional experience.

Types of Therapies Offered

• Integrative Psychotherapist

What I can help with

• Abuse
• Addiction
• Adoption
• Age-related Issues
• AIDS/HIV
• Anger Management
• Anorexia
• Anxiety
• Bereavement
• Bulimia
• Bullying
• Cancer
• Chronic Illness
• Cultural Issues
• Depression
• Disability
• Domestic Violence
• Eating Disorders
• Employment Difficulties
• Gender
• Health-related Issues
• Identity Problems
• Infertility
• Mental Health Issues
• Obsessions
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Parents
• Phobias
• Physical Abuse
• Post-Traumatic Stress
• Private Practice Issues
• Race Issues
• Relationships
• Sex Problems
• Sexual Abuse
• Sexuality
• Stress
• Suicide
• Supervision
• Telephone Counselling
• Training
• Transgender
• Trauma
• Workplace Counselling