Individual Therapy

I offer both brief and long-term psychological therapy for adults and adolescents aged 16 and above. I work with individuals experiencing a diverse range of difficulties, and who may or may not have a clinical diagnosis.

My areas of interest and experience include working with those struggling with:

  • Low mood and depression, anxiety, and difficulties with adjustment/life transitions;

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Complex PTSD, and difficulties relating to having experienced a recent or historical trauma;

  • Self-esteem difficulties (i.e., poor self-worth, uncertainty around their identity and sense of self);

  • Interpersonal and relationship difficulties;

  • Feelings of emptiness, loneliness, and chronic dissatisfaction with their lives.

I work from a predominantly psychodynamic and attachment-based approach in therapy, and adopt a trauma-informed framework. My main interest is in providing long-term, insight-oriented psychodynamic therapy. This type of therapy is suitable for those seeking to foster deeper self-understanding, and wishing to discover, explore, and make sense of their inner world. For those seeking brief, time-limited therapy, I also work from an integrative framework, drawing upon theories and interventions from other modalities as needed. I aim to tailor my approach in therapy to meet your needs, and we will come up with a collaborative plan to do so together.

“The only way out is through.”

— Robert Frost

What is Psychodynamic Therapy?

Most of us seek out therapy when we find ourselves struggling with symptoms including low mood, anxiety, relationship difficulties, and chronic dissatisfaction with our lives. What we don’t realise is that so much of what we do, feel, and think are driven by internal forces that we may not be consciously aware of. We keep certain feelings, desires, and fantasies out of awareness because they might be too frightening, or they may overwhelm us with shame and guilt. However, as much as we try to keep them concealed, they continue to rumble from their unconscious hiding place, causing unhappiness and suffering in the form of maladaptive thoughts and behaviours. Our symptoms are hence understood as messengers of deep-seated conflicts and tensions within us.

“Psychodynamic therapy focuses on the psychological roots of emotional suffering. Its hallmarks are self-reflection and self-examination, and the use of the relationship between therapist and patient as a window into problematic relationship patterns in the patient’s life. Its goal is not only to alleviate the most obvious symptoms but to help people lead healthier lives."

— Jonathan Shedler

Psychodynamic therapy has been shown to be effective in encouraging change at a deeper, structural level. In psychodynamic therapy, change occurs though exploration and developing an in-depth understanding of these symptoms, rather than simply eliminating them. By looking into your past, we begin to uncover unconscious patterns of how you relate to yourself and to others. Together, we try to make sense of when and why these patterns have developed over time, and how they continue to impact aspects of your life. Most of the “why” had been shoved and hidden away in the deep recesses of the mind. By shining light onto these unconscious aspects of ourselves, the aim is to cultivate an increased capacity to acknowledge and admit what is difficult and painful to see in ourselves, encouraging change at a deeper level. The more honest we can be with ourselves, the deeper the connection we feel with ourselves and with the people around us, the better our chances are in living a fuller, richer and more colourful life.

FAQs

What Does Psychodynamic Therapy Look Like?

Psychodynamic therapy does not offer quick fixes and is a longer-term treatment. It involves us meeting frequently (typically on a weekly basis) over an extended period of time, and is often an open-ended treatment, meaning that it takes as long as it needs to accomplish the goals that we have set out to achieve. This form of therapy is less structured, relying more on you and what’s on your mind that we may reflect and ponder over together. Our time together is intended to make space for the undiscovered parts of yourself.

How Long Will Therapy Take?

The length of therapy varies greatly between individuals. This depends on what you are hoping to achieve out of therapy, the duration and complexity of your difficulties, whether we are addressing specific issues or lifelong patterns of experiences and difficulties, and practical concerns including financial capabilities and time/schedule limitations. This can be discussed and agreed upon when we meet.