Frequently Asked Questions
Who comes for therapy?
Psychotherapy is helpful to people looking to understand themselves better, explore a painful past, or think about some aspects of their character or personality that they feel troubled by. It may also be helpful for those who feel there are some patterns or repeated problems that crop up in their relationships.
People may come after they have tried counselling or other types of therapy which may have been helpful but did not work in the long term or are looking to go ‘deeper’.
I am experienced in working with adults who are experiencing many types of problem such as :
Relationship difficulties whether at home or at work
Feelings of anxiety and inability to cope with the stresses of life
Feelings of emptiness, sadness or depression
Eating disorders
Personality disorders and difficulties
Blocks in studying, work, creativity
Difficulties as a result of bereavement, divorce or job loss
Traumatic life events
Significant life changes, such as pregnancy, children leaving home, migration
Physical symptoms
Personal development and wanting a deeper understanding of themselves
My experience includes working with adolescents and young adults and an interest in working with older adults. I am interested in working with people from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds and in understanding the effects of these differences on their lives in this country.
What is it like to be in psychotherapy ?
Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy is unstructured, in that there are no fixed goals and no agenda. It is expected that change can take time.
The relationship with the therapist is particularly important and it is expected that unconscious conflicts, beliefs, feelings will inevitably find an expression within the therapy, and within the relationship with the therapist. Understanding these provides an opportunity for learning from this experience and is an important part of the work.
The approach may frustrate those that are looking for direct advice, or to learn specific coping strategies.
Psychotherapy can be brief and with a specific focus or may be long term.
Therapy sessions are 50 minutes and we may agree to meet once weekly or more often.
What to do if you would like to think about psychotherapy for yourself?
If you are interested in meeting please get in touch with me by e mail or by telephone and let me know your contact details.
I will arrange a suitable time to telephone you to speak in confidence about your situation. If I can be of help we will arrange a time to meet.
The initial consultation is an opportunity to discuss what has brought you to seek help and to find out whether psychoanalytic psychotherapy is the most appropriate treatment for you. The consultation lasts up to one and a half hours.
We may decide at the end of the first meeting, to start therapy or we may need to meet more than once before making a decision.
If I do not think I can provide you with the help that you need I will try to recommend another appropriate service.
How much does it cost?
I charge £100 for the initial consultation and this is payable on the day.
I charge £80 for therapy and this is payable monthly.
Fees will be discussed and there is some flexibility based on frequency of sessions and affordability.
I am a registered provider with BUPA and AXA PPP Healthcare
Psychotherapy
North West London
Queens Park
Kilburn