Life can be hard. For all the joys we may have there can be as many times when the world we find ourselves in can be tough and lonely. This may manifest itself as anxiety, depression or maybe as grief or anger. Or maybe it is a feeling of being trapped and uncertain where to go and what choices to make about your future.
My approach
I regard the process of therapy as an exploration of these feelings, of where and how you find your self in the world, what your relationship with it and yourself is, and what meaning you put on it. As this becomes clearer through the dialogue between client and therapist new options as to how to lead a fuller and creative life can emerge.
This exploration can be done over a short period or long term depending on what you are looking for. It may be to explore a particular problem or dilemma or it may be, over time, to bring to light the deeper roots of who you are. I will be guided by your aim which will be established in an initial session where we can discuss what has brought you to therapy.
My approach to therapy draws on philosophical roots and in particular existential philosophy which seeks to explore and understand what it is to be alive, to be uniquely us. Rather than categorizing our troubles as symptoms of 'illness' existential therapy takes a view that we can be 'ill at living' and that through the relationship between client and therapist this may be addressed.
Qualifications & experience
My initial training in this field was as an Executive Coach at the BBC where I worked for over thirty years. I subsequently studied for a Masters degree in Integrative Psychotherapy at Regent's University, London followed up by an Advanced Diploma in Existential Psychotherapy, also at Regent's University. I am a registered member of the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) and am a Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP). I am also a member of the Society for Existential Analysis (SEA).