Therapy Approach
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I provide evidence based Cognitive and Behavioural Psychotherapy for adults, working with a number of approaches including CBT, Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and Mindfulness therapies. These approaches focus on working in the here and now, helping people make sense of their difficulties, and supporting their journey to achieve better psychological flexibility.
I have a particular interest working with professionals in the creative industries, musicians and performers. With a background in music, I understand the challenges of working within these industries. I can support in making sense of and managing these pressures, along with helping with 'stuckness' and career transition. I also enjoy working with high functioning clients who are experiencing stress, burnout, anxiety or loss of meaning in and around their work.
Throughout all this I offer a warm, supportive, non-judgemental space where we can work together to explore what is going on for you, and what you would like to change in your relationships, career, how you experience the world, or how you relate to yourself.
Therapeutic goals might relate to:
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Overcoming low mood or loss of meaning
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Building self-esteem and self-worth whilst creating a meaningful life
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Managing work related stress and identifying particular challenges and stressors, especially for those working in the creative industries
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Overcoming specific phobias so that they no longer get in the way of what matters
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Managing anxiety related problems, whether they be general, health focused, trauma related or obsessive compulsive in nature.
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Please note that if you regularly struggle with suicidal thoughts or intentions, then I recommend you contact your GP for advice and onwards referral.
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT works from the starting point that what really matters is not the content of our thoughts, but how we respond to them. Do we get caught up in them, believe them, let them dictate what we do. Do we over-identify with our thoughts and allow them to consume us and control us. And if this is happening, ACT suggests we will find it harder to live in the present, and we will be less able to live a full and meaningful life.
It also recognises that we all experience difficult emotions and that often attempting to extinguish, avoid or control these can make life harder. ACT says that for us to live a value rich life, it is necessary to accept some of this discomfort, to create some space for it. And when we open up to these feelings, rather than shut them down, we struggle less. We can then commit to actions that move us towards what really matters, helping create the life we really want.
CBT is a structured and evidenced-based therapy which helps clients understand how thoughts, feelings, physical sensations and behaviours can interact and contribute to psychological suffering. CBT says that when we think in a certain way it can impact on how we feel and in turn dictate our behaviour. It suggests that if we can reframe some of our thinking, then we might expand our repertoire of what we do in certain situations and create new, more flexible beliefs.
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CBT helps clients see how past experiences can contribute to certain beliefs about themselves, others and the future, but it very much works in the present to affect change, often with problem solving and practical tools being taught. It is a very collaborative approach where the client ultimately can become their own therapist enabling them to manage better some of the challenges that inevitably come in life.
Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)
CFT is a therapeutic approach that was originally developed to help people who struggled with self-esteem, self-criticism and who experience high levels of shame, often as a result of a difficult or traumatic upbringing. It incorporates neuroscience and how the brain has different emotion regulation systems that need to be working effectively if we are to navigate challenge.
CFT proposes that often our minds are flipping between ‘threat’ and ‘drive’ mode, something helpful for survival, but ultimately problematic if we cannot ‘soothe’ ourselves. It suggests that to move forward effectively in life it can help to step back mindfully, respond less like we are under threat and treat ourselves with more kindness. And while created to help individuals who experience shame and self-criticism, CFT has proved to be highly effective treating a whole range of difficulties, including anxiety and depression.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
What will the therapy process look like?
If you are interested in starting therapy, I suggest we meet either online or on the phone for a 20 minute conversation. Here we will spend a bit of time discussing what it is that you would like to be different and what you would like to take from therapy. I will explain in a bit more detail how I work, and we will be able to better gauge if I am the right therapist for you.
If we agree to work together we would plan a set of 50 minute appointments. Normally it is best to start with 4 to 6 sessions and then review if the process is working for you. If therapy then continues, we would typically meet 8 to 16 times in total.
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Sessions are held via secure video link or in my practice room in Westbourne Park, London W2. We can also incorporate walk and talk therapy later into into treatment where we would conduct the session outside in Hyde Park, W2 or Roundwood Park NW10.
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Typically after each session I will send an email summarising the key points that were covered, along with detailing any 'out of session' practice or tasks that we discussed to help the therapy progress.
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Confidentiality is guaranteed and all data handling and storage of information and notes will be GPDR compliant.
Fees
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Individual session costs are £100 which is to be paid in advance of the session.
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Appointments cancelled within 24 hours of the scheduled time are chargable at the usual rate.
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For insurance payments, I am approved by AXA PPP, Cigna, Aviva, WPA Vitality and Simply Health.