Psychotherapy

PSYCHOTHERAPY
The section below aims to answer all the frequently asked questions about psychotherapy, how it works, what it is all about, what to expect and how it may benefit you. One of the key objectives of psychotherapy is to help you cope with your current problematic situation, gain more insight and choice in your life, facilitate positive change to help you move forward. Read more…


What is psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is a type of talking therapy that helps you to recognise and become aware of issues that may hold you back. It enables you to discover your unique inner resources that will motivate you to move beyond your current limitations to a happier and more balanced place. Read more…

Psychotherapy offers a safe and confidential space to talk about issues and problems that are causing you difficulties or anything that may be confusing, painful or uncomfortable. It means talking with someone who is trained to listen and to help you manage and improve things.

The word “psyche” comes from ancient Greek and means breath, spirit or soul; “therapy” means nurse or cure. The word “psychotherapy” often still evokes the image of a patient lying on a couch talking, with the therapist sitting behind to take notes and making the odd comment or interpretation. While only few psychotherapists use this classic type of therapy (e.g. psychoanalysis), modern psychotherapy is actually a much more interactive, co-creative and relational approach.

Modern psychotherapy utilises a wide range of models and methods. Equally, many therapists today are trained in different techniques and approaches to help address your needs in a more personalised way. This is often called integrative psychotherapy. Methods can range from talking and role-playing, breathing and mindfulness work to using other tools or exercises.

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Why psychotherapy and how could it help?
We can all experience periods of stress in our lives, feeling overwhelmed and maybe even needing outside help in order to cope with a problem that may seem insurmountable and out of our control. Sometimes talking to friends and family is not enough. You may feel you cannot talk to them about your issues or feel you don’t have anyone else to talk to. Having access to an impartial and experienced professional can help you work through these problems in a safe and confidential space. Read more…

Sometimes we may experience unhelpful, repeating patterns that make us feel stuck, prevent us from having satisfying relationships with others or finding meaning in our life. Many issues may be related to general relationship problems, divorce, death of a loved one, depression, stressful work situations, losing a job, stress, burnout or substance abuse. These situations or daily life stressors can seem sometimes so debilitating that we need outside help.

Various psychotherapeutic approaches recognise that many of our past experiences, including our upbringing, can set up patterns of behaviours and relationships that can continue to contribute to difficulties we encounter repeatedly throughout our life. These “symptoms” are simply messages from our body-mind telling us that something needs resolving. We normally have a natural ability to adapt to different situations to move on, but sometimes our ability to cope can be compromised. Research has shown that early life stressors and other past traumatic events can greatly affect our ability to cope in later life. Stressors (physical or mental) we experience throughout our life are unfortunately cumulative and effect our resilience ability to cope with different situations.

Sometimes psychotherapy alone may be the best treatment depending on the issue and its severity. Other times, psychotherapy is combined with medications prescribed by a medical doctor or psychiatrist, which will depend on the treatment plan. Psychotherapy can help us cope with (adapt) our problem situations and move on (advance) beyond these issues. These therapeutic approaches, including additional complementary health support (e.g. nutritional, physical, lifestyle) can help achieve longer lasting and more sustainable results (succeed).

Psychotherapy can help with a wide range of difficulties such as:

  • anxiety or an inability to cope or concentrate
  • problems dealing with stress or recovering from stressful situations
  • lack of confidence or extreme shyness
  • coping with the effects of abuse
  • feelings of depression, sadness, grief or emptiness
  • extreme mood swings
  • difficulty making or sustaining relationships, or repeatedly becoming involved in unsatisfying or destructive relationships
  • sexual problems
  • difficulties coming to terms with losses such as bereavement, divorce or loss of employment
  • eating disorders
  • self-harm
  • obsessive behaviour
  • panic attacks and phobia
  • addiction

This is list is from the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) website and can be found here: http://www.psychotherapy.org.uk/16/information/43/chuca

Psychotherapy can also benefit other issues including:

  • low self-esteem, health worries, traumatic or painful experiences or personal history, life crises, lack of motivation or concentration, feelings of loneliness or emptiness, lack of purpose, difficulties coming to terms with death of a loved one, abortion, miscarriage, loss of a job, divorce, sexual problems, body-image issues, suicidal thoughts, sleeping issues, psychosomatic issues, spirituality.

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What type of psychotherapy should I choose?
There are many different types of psychotherapy available. It can be quite confusing to know which one to choose or which approach may be most helpful to you. It is generally not necessary to understand how they all work before starting therapy. Your therapist can talk to you about the most suitable options for your needs. However, if you want to learn more, you can find a list of therapies and definitions in the glossary section. Read more…

Almost all types of psychotherapy involve developing a therapeutic relationship during a process of communicating and creating a dialogue to work on overcoming problematic thoughts or behaviours. Evidence suggests that the relationship with your therapist in a co-creative environment is more important to achieving sustainable changes than the model of psychotherapy or methods used.

Developing a trusting relationship with your therapist is very important, however, developing trust can take time. It is important that the therapist as a person ‘feels right’ to you and that you feel you ‘click’. This may become apparent after the first few sessions. If you feel it isn’t right for you, don’t be shy to talk about this with your therapist. Your therapist can help you find a professional who may be better suited to your needs.

In the resources section you can find some additional handouts, including one that explains more about what psychotherapy should be like and what therapists should do as well as how to make the most of your therapy.

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How does psychotherapy work?
Psychotherapy involves personal face to face contact with a trained and qualified psychotherapist, usually in the same room at the same place and at the same time at regular agreed intervals. This will be agreed with your therapist at the beginning of your psychotherapy. Occasionally, Skype session may be offered for client’s who cannot always attend in person. You can discuss this with your therapist if it this is an appropriate option for you. Read more…

Before you start psychotherapy you will meet with your therapist for a first assessment session. You may be provided with an assessment questionnaire and a consent form to fill in prior to the session. During your first session your therapist will take you through some general information, e.g. take a brief family and health history, home, employment and GP details, and discuss your main reasons for coming. A course of psychotherapy will then be discussed, where you will agree the approach that may be most appropriate for  your needs.

The psychotherapy sessions that follow will involve sitting together with your therapist, providing a space where you can talk through anything that may be on your mind. It offers a safe and confidential environment in which you can express your thoughts or feelings about things you might not feel comfortable discussing with anyone else.

Psychotherapy can provide deeper insight into issues and problems. The therapeutic process will help you learn from, and work with the protective or wounded parts of yourself. You will become conscious of your inner world and start to accept, relate and care for yourself in different ways that can help you heal, change, and grow.

Our approach is to listen attentively and sensitively to you in an empathic and non-judgmental way. We encourage a relational, person-centred and integrative approach that provides a safe space for open exploration, interactive engagement, participation and respectful challenge. We honour the uniqueness and individual needs of each human being. This means valuing the interconnectedness on all levels, which will include the physical, emotional, psychological, socio-cultural and spiritual aspects of your life.

Sometimes other complementary approaches may be suggested if they could be helpful to your particular issues (e.g. nutritional, lifestyle, exercise, body work or other). Your therapist will work with you to find the best possible approach suitable to your own unique needs.

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How can psychotherapy make me feel?
Psychotherapy is a very personal process during which you can often feel a wide range of emotions. As such, the therapeutic process requires a trusting relationship between you and your therapist. Developing trust can take time and your therapist will make sure that they provide an understanding and non-judgemental environment where you can feel safe and explore your issues at your own pace. Read more…

As with most models of psychotherapy, the aim is to help you progress beyond your issues and move forward. This may result in major life changes, for example the beginning of a new relationship, or the ending of an old one. Sometimes we are not ready for this and need more time. Ideally therapy is supposed to follow your own pace in your own time and never force you to do anything that you may not be ready for.

Sometimes it is necessary to talk about some painful feelings or difficult decisions. It is therefore possible that you may go through a period of feeling worse than before you first started. This is often regarded as a positive sign and a necessary process on the healing journey. However, therapy should help you feel better in the long-run and can even be enjoyable at times.

If you do experience a longer period of feeling worse, make sure to talk to your therapist about this to ensure you get the best out of your therapy. Your therapist can help you explore the best approach that may be most appropriate to your unique and individual needs.

In the resources section you can find some additional handouts, including one that explains more about what psychotherapy should be like and what therapists should do as well as how to make the most of your therapy.

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How long does psychotherapy take?
Psychotherapy can be either time-limited (short-term) or more in depth (long-term). The number of sessions required will depend on a number of things, including the type of psychotherapy, and the complexity and depth of the issues you want to resolve. Read more…

Short-term psychotherapy often focuses on one specific issue in order to help you deal with what is going on for you in the immediate present. Longer term psychotherapy can help you explore your experiences of life overall and help you make meaningful links between the past and present to access the root of certain issues and problems. This approach can be particularly helpful when you find yourself repeatedly experiencing unhelpful patterns, e.g. negatives thoughts, behaviours and relationships.

For some people it takes only a few sessions to resolve what they came for. For others it can last for up to two years or more. The average number of sessions for many individuals is usually around 10-12 or more.

Your therapist will evaluate your progress with you at regular intervals and talk to you about the most appropriate way forward to suit your individual needs.

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How frequent and long is a psychotherapy session?
Most commonly, psychotherapy sessions are 50 minutes long starting on the full hour and conducted weekly on the same day, at the same time and place. This is a very important part of the psychotherapeutic process in order to keep boundaries, feelings of containment and consistency. However, some therapists may require you to meet them multiple times per week. Read more…

Psychotherapy can evoke a great deal of mental and emotional processing and you may find that even just a week between sessions can seem very long. Often, if there is a gap between sessions that is longer than a week it can feel like it takes you longer to ‘get into’ your session before the session ends. Sometimes this can hinder progress and more sessions may be needed in the long-run. However, the frequency of your sessions will depend on your own unique personal needs and requirements which your therapist can talk to you about the most appropriate option for you.

Occasionally monthly sessions are arranged for coaching type and follow-up support. This will depend on your agreement and you can speak to your therapist to find out about the different options.

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How much does it cost and how do I pay?
Session costs may depend on the types of therapy offered, the therapist and the location. Sometimes concessions may be offered for students, very low earners, unemployed individuals or those receiving social support with provided evidence. Read more…

You will normally be asked to pay in cash or cheque at the end of each session. This may be different for other therapies. Sometimes monthly BACS payments are agreed in advance. Speak to your therapist to find out more and to agree a solution that meets your needs.

For further information, see booking & fees.

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What is the outcome of psychotherapy?
One of the key objectives of psychotherapy is to help you cope with your current problematic situation in order to gain a better understanding of the issues and in the process, a better understanding of yourself. It facilitates changes in your thought processes and behaviour as well as enabling you to find new ways to approach situations thus helping you to move forward. Sometimes these changes may be quite subtle and only detectable over time, other times significant changes are immediately noticeable. Read more…

Psychotherapy can help improve physical symptoms and research shows that the mind and body are not separate entities as emotional and physical health are closely linked. It can have a positive effect your immune system and improve your overall health, healing ability and wellbeing.

Psychotherapy can help you resolve some of your protective mechanisms and overcome barriers that interfere with your natural positive qualities like joy, compassion, self-esteem, inner peace, love, and spiritual connection. The process of psychotherapy can be enjoyed and you may find yourself relishing the journey of self-awareness and self-actualisation.

Overall, the process of psychotherapy can enable you to achieve:

  • Talking about things that are bothering you in a safe and confidential environment
  • Having more control and choice in your life
  • Improving relationships in your personal and professional life
  • Changing old patterns of behaviour and coping that haven’t worked
  • Finding release from painful, traumatic and emotional symptoms
  • Ending self-destructive or harmful patterns of behaviour
  • Understanding confusing feelings and behaviours
  • Feeling more balance, pleasure, vitality and wellbeing

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Does psychotherapy work for everybody?
Psychotherapy may not work for everybody. It does not provide a magic pill or a universal cure for all. Because some of what you may be talking about can be very personal, painful or distressing, it can sometimes be difficult to keep going. It requires participation and sometimes effort on your side to be willing to go to places that are uncomfortable and not easy. Read more…

Despite this, it is often of great value to talk to your therapist about this in order to help you work through these difficulties. It is often an important part of the therapeutic process itself. Your therapist will evaluate your progress with you at regular intervals and will help you find the most appropriate way forward to suit your individual needs.

In the resources section you can find some additional handouts, including one that explains more about what psychotherapy should be like and what therapists should do as well as how to make the most of your therapy.

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LGBT+ THERAPY
stay tuned for more info – stay tuned for more info – stay tuned for more info – stay tuned for more info -stay tuned for more info – stay tuned for more info – stay tuned for more info -stay tuned for more info – stay tuned for more info – stay tuned for more info – stay tuned for more info- stay tuned for more info – stay tuned for more info- stay tuned for more info- stay tuned for more info- stay tuned for more info – stay tuned for more info- stay tuned for more info .. Read more…


ONLINE THERAPY
We now exclusively provide online therapy and support. We understand that your time is precious and you may not be able to attend psychotherapy, counselling or coaching sessions at our London therapy clinics. We deliver safe and confidential sessions via easy to use media technologies from anywhere in the world, at any time. We can help advise you whether this approach may be right for you and also help you choose the best technologies to make this happen from your phone, iPad or PC. Read more…


walk & talk

WALK & TALK THERAPY
Outdoor psychotherapy and counselling sessions on the large beautiful ancient Hampstead Heath – the only one of its kind in North London. Walk & Talk is just what it says, instead of working online or sitting in an office we talk AND we walk. It combines professional psychotherapeutic support with moving the body in nature. It is moving our bodies forward both literally and metaphorically. Read more…


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EQUINE THERAPY
Equine therapy is also called Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Learning (EAP/L). It is often also interchangeably used with Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy and Learning (EFP/L). It utilises activities in the presence of horse to explore ways a client sees and relates to themselves and others, their patterns of behaviour and survival as well as their gifts and strengths, and may include the exploration of past experiences and traumas. Read more…


Click here to book your session and if you have any further questions.