Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy
a confidential and calm space in central Reading
Welcome to my web page.
Most people find themselves in emotional distress at some point in their lives, sometimes the distress doesn't pass and it leaves us feeling despairing and confused. You may be struggling with anxiety, depression, overwhelm, trauma, stress, anger, identity issues or maybe you can't put your struggles into words.
Perhaps you've been thinking about having counselling or psychotherapy for a while now and would like to find out if it's right for you.
I offer open ended or time limited psychoanalytic psychotherapy in a confidential, calm and comfortable setting in central Reading.
What can I expect from psychoanalytic Psychotherapy?
Psychoanalytic psychotherapy is a mode of psychotherapy which takes into consideration a person’s unconscious as well as their conscious thoughts and feelings. Sometimes we simply don’t understand why we feel the way we feel or act the way we act. Having a therapist who works psychoanalytically can help you explore your feelings, thoughts and actions at a deeper level, it gives space for things that are unbearable to think or speak about. It is well suited to those who are not looking for a quick, “easy fix” but are interested in the detailed, and sometimes difficult, work of understanding themselves. Together we would work together to get a picture of your unconscious processes and think about how they might be playing out for you in unhelpful ways.
What would happen in the sessions?
I am interested in whatever is on your mind in any given session, no matter how seemingly small, trivial or odd it might seem to you. This can also include your dreams. Sessions are not structured and you will not be given "homework" to do in between sessions. In psychoanalytic psychotherapy, the relationship with your therapist is key to understanding your unconscious internal world. I work with you in an interested, non-judgemental way to help uncover hidden, deep-rooted behaviour patterns, or defences, that you developed in your early years but are no longer serving you.
About me
I am a UKCP Training Member psychoanalytic psychotherapist with the Association of Individual and Group Psychotherapists (AGIP). As well as my private work I am a Psychodynamic Counsellor at South Bucks Counselling. I also hold a PhD in English from the University of Reading and I have worked in the arts as a dance teacher.
Sessions and Fees
Sessions are between once and three times a week at The Practice Rooms, 31 Castle St in central Reading.
If you would like to speak further about whether psychotherapy with me might be right for you, I offer a free telephone conversation where we would have a brief chat about what brings you to this point and how we might work together. Following that, we would have a face-to-face consultation where you can tell me more about what brings you to therapy. This then gives us a chance to think about whether I am a suitable therapist for you. The consultation is chargable at the usual session rate.
Fees are £45 per session.
Missed sessions are charged for, though I try to rearrange sessions where possible.
* I currently have a very low fee opening for someone who wishes to attend twice a week for a minimum commitment of two years. The fee for this is £12 per session.