who I provide counselling + therapy to in London
I see adult individuals, normally in person (though, where appropriate, we might arrange to work remotely, over Zoom or similar platform).
I’m pleased to work with those of diverse ethnic, racial, sexual and gender identities, from wide-ranging social and cultural backgrounds, of many faiths and of none. However you identify, I will bring care, attentiveness, and depth of experience to your need to be truly heard and seen.
I work with ...
... many concerns, including:
work/life imbalance
We can habitually overlook our own needs in deference to work, family, friends, a general sense of obligation, or as a way of avoiding things we find uncomfortable – often leading to painful dynamics, relational conflict, parenting issues, or lack of intimacy in personal or family relationships. We might experience friction at work; chronic stress, or Or may lack of personal fulfilment, feel creatively blocked, or be frustrated in relation to career progression. Perhaps we recognise issues in relation to commitment; feel isolated or hopeless; or experience loss of identity, imposter syndrome, or other tendencies.
trauma, abuse, emotional neglect
occurring in diverse forms – including experience of being excluded or marginalised, of coercive behaviour, bullying; emotionally absent parenting, relational trauma, inter-generational trauma; sexual and/or physical abuse. These can surface as PTSD, (single incident trauma) Complex PTSD, developmental trauma, identity issues; or manifest as social anxiety, shame, communication difficulties, low self-esteem or confidence, and as lack of assertiveness, self-acceptance or self-worth. They can also be somatised as chronic or acute pain, and in health disorders such as chronic fatigue (ME/CFS), IBS and many auto-immune conditions.
stress, anxiety, depression
... which may include mood swings, mental and physical hyper-activity, poor concentration, fragile self-esteem or critical inner voice, erratic or low moods, panic attacks, panic episodes, insomnia, imposter syndrome, poor concentration, lack of focus, ADD, ADHD.
For some, mood shifts can be dramatic or apparently unpredictable – perhaps erupting in outbursts of anger or rage. For others, there may be difficulty accessing or expressing emotions. Or an overriding fog of low emotional and physical energy, debilitating depression, or simply an indistinct sense of dissatisfaction.
long covid, post-covid fatigue, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME), post-viral syndrome
I have lengthy experience of the difficulties encountered by those suffering, or who have recovered, from post-viral conditions and chronic illness including, specifically, CFS/ME.
Whilst a ‘cure’ for long Covid is yet to be found, research increasingly indicates that many of the same well-established methods can also be effective for those with long Covid and struggling with the current lack of understanding of this condition.
compulsive, addictive, repetitive or habitual behaviours and dependencies
which may occur in abusive personal relationships or co-dependency; a history of self-harm or neglect; intrusive or repetitive thoughts; adverse patterns relating to procrastination, decision-making; or as food, drink, substance abuse or other forms of self-medication, including sexual and social behaviours or phobias.
identity, gender, sexuality, relationship and sexual concerns
including matters relating to diversity – including cultural, physical diversity and neurodiversity – race, LGBTQ issues, a history of sexual abuse (childhood and adult), and sexual difficulties. These may also connect with issues relating to many aspects of self-expression and creativity.
grief or loss
– whether through bereavement, end of a relationship (separation, divorce) or phase of life; perhaps resulting from recent health diagnosis, illness, incapacity or other change of circumstance such as redundancy, retirement; before or following the birth of a child; supporting ageing parents; adjusting to children leaving home. Any of these can leave us feeling distressed, unsupported and emotionally alone; fearful, angry or lacking a sense of purpose.
self-expression and creativity
which may also connect with issues relating to spirituality and faith, including spiritual crisis, creative block, loss of self-identity.
In addition to psychotherapy and counselling, I also offer one-to-one meditation, mindfulness (Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy - MBCT), and compassion-focused training
areas I work with in mindfulness counselling or psychotherapy
I would be pleased to explore whether we might work together, whatever your difficulties.
With lengthy experience in addressing stress-related issues, I specialise in psychosomatic issues, and support clients in coming to terms with many concerns, including:
abuse ([physical, sexual, emotional)
addiction and dependency
anger, rage
anxiety (general, social, health, workplace)
assertiveness
bereavement and grief
career and work-related issues
chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME)
creativity and self-expression
co-dependency
conflict (relational, family, workplace)
commitment issues
communication difficulties
compassion-focused approaches
crisis (personal and spiritual)
complex PTSD, developmental trauma
compulsive, addictive and habitual behaviours
concentration, lack of focus, ADD, ADHD
confidence
depression
diversity (gender, race, physical, neuro-diversity)
eating disorders, relationship with food
emotional neglect
faith and issues relating to spirituality
family issues (parenting, adoption, step-parenting)
fear
feeling stuck
gender, LGBTQ issues
inner critic
insomnia
inter-generational trauma
intimacy
intrusive or repetitive thoughts
life changes (health, redundancy, retirement, ageing, separation, divorce, ‘empty-nest’)
loneliness
long Covid/post-Covid fatigue
loss
low self-esteem
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
mood swings
one-to-one mindfulness training
pain and illness (chronic, acute, recent diagnosis)
panic attacks, panic episodes
phobias
procrastination, decision-making
sexual and gender identity, LGBTQ issues
relationships (intimate/sexual, romantic, family, workplace)
self-esteem, self-acceptance, self-worth
sexual and/or physical abuse (childhood and adult)
sexual difficulties
sexuality, gender and LGBTQ issues
shame
stress, overwhelm and burnout
trauma (single incident, developmental)
work/life balance, work-related concerns
I offer consultations at the City Therapy Rooms, 33 Furnival Street, Holborn, London EC4A 1JQ and from our sister practice, Barnsbury Therapy Rooms, 144 Liverpool Road, Islington, London N1 1LA.
Getting to your appointment.
I'll let you have detailed directions to enable you to access the appropriate venue when we arrange an initial appointment.
City Therapy Rooms are a couple of minutes' walk from Chancery Lane tube station and ten minutes from Farringdon (Crossrail and London Overground); frequent buses - 8, 17, 25, 45, 46, 341, 521, N8 - pass close by.
There is very restricted street parking, and you're best advised to use public transport or take a cab. I normally see clients on one of the upper floors and regret there is no lift - but with advance notice it may be possible to arrange appointments in more accessible ground floor rooms.
Barnsbury Therapy Rooms are ten minutes' walk from Angel tube station and a similar distance from both Highbury and Islington (tube, London Overground and National Rail), Caledonian Road and Barnsbury stations; frequent buses (4,19, 30, 43) run along Upper Street (five minutes away) and other routes (38, 73,120, 121, 271) are within walking distance.
Metered parking is available in Liverpool Road and nearby Gibson Square. The therapy rooms are on the first floor. I regret there is no lift.