Services offered

I can help with conditions and issues such as depression; anxiety; personality disorder; eating disorders; relationship problems; loss and bereavement; stress, trauma and abuse; or perhaps even just a vague feeling of dissatisfaction with your life. 

I have particular interests in LGBTQ+ mental health; older adult mental health; the mental health of health and social work professionals; medically unexplained symptoms; and living with long-term physical health conditions. My field of practice, however, is not solely limited to these areas.

I can provide individual and group based therapies on a short or long term basis depending on your needs. Sessions are typically weekly, but this can be negotiated during the initial consultation assessment.

Mentalization and psychodynamic psychotherapy

Mentalization and psychodynamic psychotherapy involve examining here-and-now relationships and making links into past relationships through repeating patterns of feelings, thoughts and behaviours. This is typically done by examining the sorts of experiences that might occur between the therapist and the client.

Mentalization can occur as a brief therapy, where we focus onto a particular issue, or as a longer term approach. Sessions are usually weekly at a fixed day, time and venue and last up to 6 months. Psychodynamic psychotherapy can be a slower form of therapy for those that prefer a more reflective pace of work that lasts as long as you require. Twice weekly sessions are also sometimes used.

Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR is a specific technique that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of trauma and disturbing life experiences. Repeated studies show that by using EMDR therapy people can experience the benefits of psychotherapy that once took years to make a difference. It is widely assumed that severe emotional pain requires a long time to heal. EMDR therapy shows that the mind can in fact heal from psychological trauma much as the body recovers from physical trauma. The brain’s information processing system naturally moves toward mental health. If the system is blocked or imbalanced by the impact of a disturbing event, the emotional wound festers and can cause suffering. Once the block is removed, healing resumes. 

Group analytic psychotherapy

Often when someone seeks therapy it is usually individual therapy that comes to mind first. However, group psychotherapy is also extremely valuable. Groups are helpful for those who struggle to be with others, or who tend to feel alone or anxious. Groups allow for support but also challenge, and benefit from the whole range of life experiences of each individual attendee. 

It can seem daunting the idea of sitting with a group of strangers talking about yourself and hearing others, but in my experience, this is its greatest value. We are all social beings first and foremost and we all live our lives within various social settings such as families or work. Being able to think about your experiences with others is a safe, confidential and contained space with a therapist allows for an in-depth exploration of how you relate to others. This process allows for new learning to occur that can be taken back out into your own life.

The groups are small (up to a maximum of eight people) and are held on the same day and time and in the same room once or twice a week depending on the group and your need. Group members are strongly discouraged from meeting socially so as to protect the space and maintain confidentiality.

Supervision for professionals

The task of supervision is to ensure that the professional is addressing the needs of the client/patient through becoming aware of potential 'blind spots' in the therapeutic relationship. Research shows this aids professionals in providing better and safer care.

I am able to offer supervision of the therapeutic work of professionals including those in training. I can also offer this individually or to teams of staff. 

I have many hours of experience in providing supervision to mental health professionals and other healthcare sector staff. I would welcome any such enquiries for this work.

Consultancy and team coaching 

My background within group analysis, and also as an experienced clinician and manager/board member within a healthcare setting, provides me with a particular insight into the workings of teams and organisations. My work as a lecturer means I am familiar with modern educational practices and can offer bespoke training programmes related to psychoanalytic theory; counselling and psychotherapy skills in general; organisation and group dynamics; and contemporary issues in modern counselling and psychotherapeutic practice.

Our work lives are enormously important yet sometimes teams can become stuck, unproductive and argumentative. We all need some space and time to think about our lives, our relationships and our work. I can offer a way to think further about the dynamics within work teams and organisations making them happier and more productive places to be. This is achieved by working with you to create a bespoke solution to your needs by exploring in detail such challenges and to identify ways forward.

Perhaps these are questions you may be asking of yourself within your organization:

How do I help people think more about their roles and tasks?

How do I encourage individuals and teams to communicate more effectively and meaningfully with each other?

How do I improve a team’s sense of authority and empowerment to achieve change?

How should I understand this team or organisation?

What is my role in facilitating change and what are they responsible for?

Organisational consultancy can involve groupwork, training and/or coaching. The correct methods for you and your team can be created through an initial meeting where your needs can be discussed.