My Approach

UKCP accredited Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist and MBT Practioner with years of experience, encompassing NHS secondary care services, private, educational settings and running own workshops. Experienced in weekly and twice weekly, long and short-term individual and group psychotherapy with numerous clients with a range of symptoms from different backgrounds and experiences. Privately I see clients individually online (long term and short term work) using psychoanalytic, MBT and EMDR therapies and offer consultation services for psychotherapists, counsellors and other health care professionals.

PSYCHOANALYTIC PSYCHOTHERAPY
A therapeutic process which helps patients understand and resolve their problems by increasing awareness of their inner world and its influence over relationships, both past and present. It differs from most other therapies in aiming for deep seated change in personality and emotional development, and draws on theories of Analytical Psychology and Psychoanalysis. It aims to help people with serious psychological disorders to understand and change complex, deep-seated and often unconsciously based emotional and relationship problems thereby reducing symptoms and alleviating distress.

EYE MOVEMENT DESENSITISATION REPROCESSING
Is a specialist treatment primarily used to treat trauma related difficulties such as PTSD. EMDR aims to help the brain “unstick” and reprocess the memory properly so that it is no longer so intense. It also helps to desensitise the person to the emotional impact of the memory, so that they can think about the event without experiencing such strong feelings. In EMDR, you will pay attention to a back-and-forth movement or sound while you call to mind the upsetting memory until shifts occur in the way that you experience that memory and more information from the past is processed.

MENTALISATION BASED TREATMENT
Is the process by which we make sense of each other and ourselves, implicitly and explicitly, in terms of subjective states and mental processes. It is a profoundly social construct in the sense that we are attentive to the mental states of those we are with, physically or psychologically.
You focus on what is going on in your mind and think about what might be going on in other peoples' minds, particularly in situations which may cause a strong emotional reaction and problematic behaviours. It helps you to understand non mentalising in your self and others and how you seek care from others.

About Me

CURRENT PROFILE
I am currently working as a Principal (senior) Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist and MBT Practitioner in NHS Secondary Care Psychological Therapy Services with individuals and groups within outer London, with a particular interest in personality disorder, attachment and trauma. I have specialised in delivering evidence-based therapy to adults experiencing symptoms of trauma, depression, anxiety, relational difficulties and loss. Currently working with clients using psychodynamic, mentalisation based treatment (MBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and integrative skills.

A BIT ABOUT THERAPY
Therapy is an opportunity to explore and find words for our experiences, thoughts, feelings and behaviours; both those we are aware of and those of which we are less conscious. This can help us to process our experience, including that which is painful and traumatic.
Therapy can help us to understand ourselves; our thinking, behaviour and relationships better, thus enabling constructive change in our lives. We can move beyond stuck, repetitive and self-destructive patterns of relating to ourselves and others, to new and healthier possibilities. People who benefit most are usually those who want to understand themselves better and who have the motivation to commit to the process, even when it involves facing emotional pain. It is a process that requires working closely together to help you navigate through your current difficulties to where you would like to be and have an improved quality of life.

Psychoanalytic psychotherapy is a talking therapy based on saying whatever is going through your mind. This helps you become aware of hidden meanings or patterns in what you do or say that may contribute to your problems. Many people come to us because they feel they are trapped by their past and want to talk it through with someone.

Through understanding these connections and patterns therapy can:
-Bring relief
-Reduce confusion about what helps and what doesn’t
-Identify changes that can be made in your life
-Help you come to terms with what can’t be changed
-Psychoanalysis is based on the modern developments of the theories of Sigmund Freud. Freud believed that bad thoughts and experiences from childhood are repressed but continue to influence your feelings as an adult.

ISSUES IT CAN HELP WITH
Therapy can help with a range of psychological problems, particularly difficulties that can impact on relationships:

-Depression
-Anxiety disorders
-Relationship difficulties
-Post traumatic difficulties
-Personality difficulties

LENGTH OF TREATMENT
Therapy sessions last for 50 minutes. They usually take place once a week, but sometimes more frequently.
Patients are seen on their own at the same time and in the same room, as this consistency helps people get the most out of their treatment.

THERAPY SESSIONS
I am interested in what’s on your mind. As a session develops this includes possible feelings about our relationship. There are no expectations and you are free to talk about whatever is on your mind.

I try to understand and point out particular difficulties in talking or thinking about certain things. Although we know that it’s helpful to talk, we also know it’s not always easy. It’s important to understand what might get in the way.

RISKS AND EFFECTS
Talking and thinking about emotional problems can be difficult. For this reason some people can feel worse before they feel better. We work with you to manage strong emotional reactions.

Sometimes this kind of therapy can make people feel too angry or makes their depression worse, or some can feel too criticised. It can be painful to face the past and the truth, but this has its limits and I respect that.
I aim to provide a warm, safe confidential and non judgmental space to be able encourage change. I offer both longer-term open-ended work and brief focused therapy.
If you would like to explore the possibility of therapy or consultation, do contact me. I look forward to speaking with you.

I work with

• Companies
• Groups
• Individuals
• Private healthcare referrals

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

• Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist

What I can help with

• Abuse
• Anxiety
• Bereavement
• Bullying
• Cultural Issues
• Depression
• Domestic Violence
• Eating Disorders
• Physical Abuse
• Post-Traumatic Stress
• Relationships
• Sexual Abuse
• Stress
• Suicide
• Supervision
• Trauma