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WELCOME
Clinical Psychology | Psychological Therapies | Supervision
You may have come to this site because you are struggling with low mood and difficult emotions, find yourself repeating painful life patterns, or are trying to come to terms with traumatic experiences or loss. You may feel a sense of general dissatisfaction and unhappiness but are unsure where this stems from, or are hoping to build self-confidence and improve your relationships with others.
There are many times in life when it can be helpful to meet with an impartial professional to think about personal circumstances in detail, understand what is happening at a deeper level, and find new ways of moving forward. I’m a licensed Clinical Psychologist and Psychotherapist specialising in providing integrative therapy tailored to your unique needs. As a certified Schema Therapist and accredited Mentalization-based Practitioner, my work is strongly influenced by these approaches as well as EMDR and psychodynamic theory. With 17+ years' experience in providing psychological therapies, supervision, and clinical leadership in mental health settings, I would be delighted to help you on your journey.
WHAT I CAN HELP WITH
I aim to provide a therapeutic space in which you can increasingly reflect on and process painful aspects of your life, develop new perspectives, and work towards the changes that you wish to make. I am experienced in providing therapy in many areas, including:
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Anxiety and phobias
Low mood and depression
Stress
Low self-esteem
Relationship problems
Intimacy fears
Sexual difficulties
Family and couples dynamics
Issues relating to food, weight and shape
Anger management
Intense emotions
Self-destructive behaviours
Personality difficulties
Identity problems
Issues to do with social inclusion, belonging, and culture
Life transitions
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Childhood trauma
Adjustment to illness
Pain management
Loss and complicated grief
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PSYCHOLOGICAL THERAPIES
PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT AND CONSULTATION
If you have a sense that something is not feeling right but you are unsure what the issue is or what might help, then this option might be a helpful starting point for you. I offer psychological assessments, one-off and extended consultations as well as exploratory counselling to help you think about yourself and clarify what might be contributing to how you are feeling. Sometimes this can be enough to help you understand what needs to change and how to go about it. Other times it can lead to us agreeing to meet for a longer period of time for a more focused psychological therapy, or to an onward referral to another service.
SCHEMA THERAPY
Schema therapy helps you discover unmet childhood emotional needs, which may be driving problematic life patterns ('schemas') in your adult life, such as repeatedly choosing unavailable partners, overworking, holding yourself back, or engaging in addictive or compulsive behaviours. It increases compassionate awareness of different parts of the self ('modes') that are involved in maintaining these problems and helps you develop your capacity to address your emotional needs in a healthy, fulfilling way. Schema therapy goes beyond giving you an intellectual understanding of your life story. In the course of your therapy you will engage in experiential practices, which will help you break distressing patterns on a deep, emotional level and enable you to live a more expansive life.
MENTALIZATION-BASED THERAPY
Mentalization-based therapy is a psychodynamic therapy, which focuses on developing the capacity to reflect on internal mental states as they unfold in interpersonal interactions and relationships. Mentalizing means being able to understand what is going on in our own minds, as well as seeing ourselves from the outside (how thoughts, feelings and behaviours might be understood by and influence others) and others from the inside (what their intentions, thoughts, feelings, wishes and desires might be). Mentalizing mostly happens automatically, outside of our awareness. It is only when something unexpected happens that we pause and ask ourselves, ‘Why did I do that?’ or ‘What did he mean by that?’ Being able to mentalize is crucial for a stable sense of self and for good relationships with loved ones, friends and colleagues. Fulfilling and healthy relationships are based on being able to take perspective and have curiosity about oneself and other people.
The capacity to mentalize can get inhibited by early trauma and high levels of stress. Mentalization-based therapy focuses on strengthening the ability to reinstate mentalizing whenever it breaks down. It has been shown to be an effective intervention for emotional instability, family conflict, eating difficulties, depression, and suicidality.
MINDFULNESS-BASED APPROACHES
Mindfulness means becoming aware of the workings of the mind without feeling compelled to act on thoughts, feelings or urges that might arise. Regular mindfulness practice can strengthen emotional regulation, reduce ruminative thoughts, and give you more choice about how you want to respond to internal and external events. I offer Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT; one-to-one and in groups) and mindfulness skills training based on Dialectical-Behaviour Therapy (DBT) principles.
EMDR - EYE MOVEMENT DESENSITISATION REPROCESSING
EMDR is an effective intervention for treating psychological trauma relating to single incidents as well as multiple, continuous and complex traumatic experiences, e.g. childhood abuse, emotional neglect, intimate partner violence, group-based hatred, and other forms of adversity in early life. EMDR helps process the intense emotions and negative effects associated with the trauma (e.g. addictions, self-destructive behaviours, low self-worth, recurring relationship problems, avoidance and isolation) so that you can connect to your core self and build a healthy life for yourself in the present and for the future.
ABOUT ME
D.Clin.Psy., PG Dip., MA, BSc., AFBPS, HCPC reg.
Pronouns: she/ her/ hers
I am a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Psychotherapist with extensive experience in providing psychological therapies, supervision, clinical leadership, and training in the NHS, non-statutory settings, and private practice. I have worked in a range of child, adolescent and adult mental health settings, helping people of all ages overcome common as well as more complex mental health difficulties. Before entering into full-time independent practice, I was an Associate at a private clinic on Harley Street, London and had a senior management role as Clinical Lead and Consultant Clinical Psychologist in the NHS, where I developed and managed Young People's Services for a Central London NHS Trust.
Clientele
I specialise in treating long-standing emotional and relational problems and work with adults, adolescents and couples presenting with a wide range of complex needs and strengths. Many clients work in financial services and the creative industries and face particular challenges in achieving a healthy work/ life balance.
I am bilingual and can offer therapy in English and German.
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Approach
I am passionate about using psychological insights to help clients overcome emotional and relational challenges, lead more fulfilling personal lives, and thrive professionally. My approach is integrative, person-centred, and creative. The interventions I offer are grounded in psychological formulation and are tailored to take into account individual needs, hopes, and social and cultural circumstances. I draw on the full range of my training and experience and have learned that patience, keeping an open mind, and considering issues from many different angles is important to allow new understandings and possibilities to emerge.
Qualifications & Accreditations
I received my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Salomons Institute for Applied Psychology (Canterbury Christ Church University), having previously worked in mental health research and psychological support roles.
I am a registered Practitioner Psychologist with the Health Care Professionals Council, a Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society.
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Post-qualification, I specialised further in:
Mentalization-based Treatments for Adults, Adolescents, and Systems (AMBIT) – Accredited Mentalization-based Therapist, British Psychoanalytic Council
Emotion-focused Couples Therapy – Member of The British Emotionally Focused Therapy Centre and ICEEFT
Psychodynamic Group Therapy – Diploma from Institute of Group Analysis; Group Work Practitioner Status
Schema Therapy – Certified Schema Therapist, Full Member of the International Schema Therapy Society
Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) – Full Member of EMDR Association UK
Mindfulness-based approaches – Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy Teacher Training (MBCT); Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Skills Group; 350-hour Yoga Teacher Training, accredited by the British Wheel of Yoga
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Wimpole Street, Marylebone, W1G, London
Liverpool Street, Bishopsgate, EC2M, London
Online sessions on Zoom
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Languages
English, German
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CONTACT
Please leave a message using the private and confidential message box below. ​I aim to get back to you within two working days. Please check your junk folder in case the message has gone in there.
Thank you.
FAQs
WHAT ARE YOUR FEES?
Please enquire about fees for individual therapy and supervision.
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WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?
For your first appointment I require 48 hours notice. Thereafter, if we agree to meet on a regular basis I will reserve the same slot for you each week to provide as much continuity as possible. If you are unable to attend a session, the session will be charged at the full rate. However, I always try and offer you an alternative time or remote option in the week of the missed session.
HOW LONG ARE SESSIONS?
A session lasts 50 minutes, starting at the agreed time of the session.
WHAT IF I NEED OUT OF HOURS SUPPORT?
For non-urgent issues you can contact me by phone or email and I will get back to you within two working days. If you require urgent help, please contact your GP's out of hours service or NHS Trust's crisis team. In the event of an emergency, please dial 111 or go to your nearest A&E.
WHAT HAPPENS AT THE FIRST APPOINTMENT?
The first appointment is a chance to think about what has led you to seek help at this point in time and to see whether it would be helpful to meet again or agree to work together. It is also a chance to ask any questions that you might have about psychological therapy and the difficulties that you are experiencing.
DO YOU ACCEPT HEALTH INSURANCE?
Yes, I work with:
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AXA Global, BUPA Global, Cigna and Evernorth, WPA, Allianz
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Please mention in your initial enquiry if you wish to use insurance.
