About Me

Hello. My name is Maxwell Addo.

I am a fully qualified psychotherapeutic counsellor and a member of The United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP), British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapy (MBACP) and British Psychological Society (MBPsS).

My role as a therapist is to work alongside you to help find ways to understand and address the issues you may be facing. My approach is to build a safe, trusting and confidential environment that challenges and supports you but also encourages self-awareness, resilience and personal growth.

My therapeutic approach is integrative which means I can draw upon different skills and techniques (Humanistic, Psychodynamic, Existential, Cognitive Behavioural) that may best support you and your personal goals.

I have particular experience in supporting clients from corporate backgrounds and the creative industries. Familiar concerns have included issues with identity, true/false selves, managing relationships, power dynamics - some of which can manifest in anxiety, depression, insomnia and other psychological issues.


What Is Therapy?

Therapy is the meeting of a therapist and client in a safe, non-judgmental and confidential environment.

The goal of therapy is to better understand psychological and emotional difficulties and find ways to resolve issues such as problematic beliefs, behaviours, feelings or relationship issues which can affect our daily lives.

Therapy can often be misunderstood as being required only for people experiencing unbearable life problems or significant mental health issues. Although therapy can certainly be beneficial in those situations, therapy can also be useful to address those early concerns that clients may not yet understand, or for something as simple as self-reflecting, needing help reaching a specific goal or having someone trained to talk to.

Although there are various therapeutic approaches, generally speaking, therapists do not tell their clients what to do or create the solutions for the client but rather have more of a co-creating role where they mirror back the responses from the client to reach mutual conclusions about the best steps to take for the client.

Therapy can be challenging, insightful and revealing and can often bring a range of emotions and feelings to the surface. The role of a trained therapist is to support the client through their journey at a pace that is appropriate and thoughtful, taking into account the clients needs.


Next Steps?

Before starting therapy, we can arrange to meet for an initial consultation session.

This will give you the opportunity to get a feel for the process and how we can work together. I will ask a series of questions to help me understand your needs; what brings you to therapy and what you want to get out of it. There will also be time for you to ask any questions you might have about psychotherapy or my approach. The initial consultation and any subsequent therapy sessions are held in strictest confidence.

Sessions are normally held weekly or twice weekly, for 50 minutes. I offer both short term and open ended contracts, this can be discussed at the consultation session to see what may suit you best.

I am based across two practices in Shoreditch and Liverpool Street, Central London.

The locations are within easy reach of public transport links and in close proximity to Old Street, Bethnal Green, Bishopsgate, Aldgate, Moorgate as well as other parts of the City and East London.

Training, qualifications & experience

As well as working in private practice, I also currently provide psychotherapeutic services in voluntary settings (MIND) and statutory organisations.

I work with both individuals and couples and have many years experience in working with clients from wide ranging and diverse backgrounds and communities.

I have experience of supporting clients with various issues including:

Anxiety and generalised anxiety
Depression
Stress
Work related issues
Work/Life balance
Low self esteem
Abuse/Trauma
Anger and anger management
Identity - Self and other
Gender roles
Finding meaning
Issues of power
Infidelity
Sexual addiction
Relationship / Family issues
Race and cultural identity
Personal development and growth
Bereavement and loss
Life transitions
Qualifications / Training

MSc Psychology - University of East London

BSc (Hons) Integrative Counselling - Roehampton University

Foundation Integrative Counselling - Minster Centre

Trained Facilitator - Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Memberships

Member of British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapy (BACP)

Member of British Psychological Society (BPS)

Member of The United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) i

I work with

• Couples
• Individuals

Types of Therapies Offered

• Psychotherapeutic Counsellor

What I can help with

• Abuse
• ADHD
• Anger Management
• Anxiety
• Bullying
• Cultural Issues
• Depression
• Employment Difficulties
• Health-related Issues
• Mental Health Issues
• Obsessions
• Physical Abuse
• Race Issues
• Relationships
• Sex Problems
• Sexual Abuse
• Sexuality
• Stress