A space to understand yourself more deeply
Behind the feelings you can't explain and the patterns you can't seem to change is a story worth understanding.
Sometimes life brings experiences that are difficult to navigate alone. You may be dealing with a loss, a relationship ending or a significant change, or perhaps you're feeling anxious, stuck or low without quite knowing why. You may also find yourself repeating familiar patterns in your relationships or reacting in ways you don't fully understand
Therapy can be a place to become curious about what you're experiencing, make sense of what may be happening beneath the surface and begin to understand yourself differently.
I offer face-to-face counselling in central St Albans, as well as online and by telephone
What might bring you to therapy?
There may be something specific that has brought you to therapy, or it may be harder to put into words. You may be feeling anxious, overwhelmed or low, going through a loss, the end of a relationship or a significant life change. You may find yourself questioning yourself, struggling in your relationships or noticing familiar patterns that seem difficult to change.
Sometimes there isn't one particular reason. You may simply have a sense that something doesn't feel right, or that you would like to understand yourself more deeply.
Whatever brings you to therapy, you don't need to have it all worked out before you begin. We can start with what feels most important to you.
About me and how I work
I’ve always been interested in people and in the experiences and relationships that shape who we are. For me, therapy begins with having a confidential space where you can talk openly and feel genuinely heard, perhaps about things that have been difficult to put into words elsewhere.
I work from a contemporary psychodynamic perspective. This means being curious about what is happening in your life now, while also exploring how past experiences and relationships may be influencing the way you feel about yourself and relate to others today.
Rather than looking for quick answers, we can take time to understand what is happening for you and why certain feelings or patterns may keep returning. Over time, this can create more space for different ways of thinking, feeling and relating.
I have a particular interest in working with women, including around pregnancy, fertility difficulties, miscarriage, motherhood and menopause, and in how these experiences can affect our relationships and sense of self.
Having lived in different countries myself, I’m also drawn to questions of identity and belonging, and to how moving between countries and cultures can shape your sense of who you are and where you belong.
Qualifications & Professional Standards
Diploma in Contemporary Psychodynamic Counselling
Foundation Certificate in Psychodynamic Counselling
BA in Sociology and Anthropology, with additional coursework in Psychology
Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), working within the BACP Ethical Framework
Enhanced DBS check
Professional liability insurance
Registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
Regular clinical supervision and ongoing professional development
Taking the next step
Finding the right therapist is an important part of beginning therapy. I offer a complimentary 30-minute online introductory conversation, giving us a chance to meet and get a sense of whether working together feels right.
We can briefly talk about what has brought you to therapy, what you’re looking for and any questions you may have about the way I work. There is no obligation to continue.
If we decide to work together, we’ll arrange our first 50-minute session and begin exploring what has brought you to therapy in more depth.
Sessions
Individual therapy sessions
Please get in touch for more information about fees
Sessions are 50 minutes and usually take place weekly at an agreed regular time
Face-to-face, online and telephone
I offer face-to-face sessions in central St Albans, as well as online and by telephone
A few questions you may have
What can I talk about in therapy?
You can bring whatever feels important to you. You may have something specific you want to explore, or you may not know where to begin. We can take time to understand what is happening for you together.
Is therapy confidential?
What you share in therapy is treated confidentially. There are some circumstances where I may need to share information, for example if I have serious concerns about your safety or someone else’s. Wherever possible, I would discuss this with you first.
What happens in the first therapy session?
Our first session gives us more time to talk about what has brought you to therapy and what is happening in your life at the moment. You don’t need to prepare anything or know exactly where to begin. We can start with whatever feels most important to you.
How long will I need therapy for?
There isn’t one answer to this, as everyone comes to therapy with different experiences and needs. We can think together about what feels right for you and review our work as we go.