Existential Counselling & Psychotherapy
Blackheath, London Bridge
& Virtual
Hello, I am an experienced Psychotherapist and Counsellor, working full time in private practice. I qualified in 2008 and over the years I have worked with various charities in the area of Children's Rights and as a Psychotherapist. I work in person and online, offering long term, short term and Single Session Therapy interventions. I work with individuals and couples.
My specialisms are in ADHD and narcissistic abuse. I also have extensive experience working with binge eating, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, and life transitions.
If you're interested in learning more about my approach please feel free to reach out, and we can arrange an informal conversation.
Approach
While my approach is primarily Existential and Humanistic, it is informed by other therapeutic approaches such as Gestalt, Person Centred and Psychoanalysis.
The starting point of Existential Psychotherapy is your experience; this means that I focus on your unique experience of yourself and the world, and your meaning-making processes. We all have a natural inclination to find connections and make sense of life, but sometimes, in our attempts, we may tie things together that aren't truly linked. I like to call these connections 'obstructive meanings' or 'knots.' In our sessions, we'll work together to spot these knots, deconstruct them, and create healthier connections. The goal of therapy is to craft a narrative that resonates with you. As your therapist, I will actively participate in our sessions, helping you explore different perspectives of your life story.
Existential psychotherapy is a relational approach, examining in detail our relationship patterns with ourselves (our bodies and lived experiences), others, and the world around us. Rather than viewing individuals in isolation, I see them within the rich context of the world they inhabit. This holistic perspective proves especially powerful in navigating relationship challenges, steering away from treating individuals as an isolated entity that needs to be fixed. I find this approach particularly effective when addressing issues related to Narcissistic Abuse and relationship difficulties.
When suitable I incorporate bodywork to facilitate trauma healing. Furthermore, I use inner child work to help clients become aware of their internal dialogues, understand the way that they relate with themselves and foster healthier self relationships.
Often our internal dialogues are contaminated by negative self talk. The objective of therapy would be to shed light in these internal dialogues, understand where they come from and how they came to be incorporated on our sense of self, and slowly start building a new, more self aware, inner voice.
ADHD
I have a keen interest in working with clients with ADHD, and my approach isn't just about going through diagnostic criteria. Instead, I aim to help you understand your unique experience and how it shapes your life story.
Given the wide spectrum of ADHD and its varied impact on individuals, I will help you understand your own experience and embodiment of ADHD symptoms, as well as the impact of growing up with (often undiagnosed) ADHD.
Together, we will explore personalised strategies to address ADHD symptoms in a way that fits your unique experience.
Narcissistic Abuse
Narcissistic abuse can occur in various relationships, including those with partners, parents, siblings, or friends. It can also be found in different settings such as institutional (e.g., medical) or spiritual (e.g. cultic systems) contexts, and even in the workplace. This type of abuse is deeply traumatising and confusing, often eroding a person’s sense of identity and reality.
Psychotherapy offers a safe, compassionate, and non-judgmental space where we will focus on validating and making sense of your experiences. We will work on psychoeducation to help you comprehend what happened, which is essential for rebuilding your sense of reality and processing your trauma. Additionally, we will work towards empowering you to take control of your life after the abuse. Empowerment is crucial for breaking free from the abuser’s control and reclaiming your autonomy.
Find more details about how existential psychotherapy can assist in healing from narcissistic abuse on my blog here.
Binge Eating
I have extensive experience supporting individuals dealing with disordered eating, particularly binge eating. My approach treats binge eating as a symptom of emotional difficulties rather than the root cause. We will start by addressing the underlying issues that lead to binge eating. Once we have a good grasp of this, we will work towards addressing the binge eating itself and finding strategies to manage it.
Working existentially with binge eating means that I will focus on your unique experience with food and try to understand what functions this has had in your life. That means taking into account any cultural, familial and personal meanings around food and unravel their layers. Often disordered eating feels like something that is happening to us, an external force that leaves us completely disempowered. By gaining insights into its functions and origins, we can reclaim ownership and empower ourselves to reshape our relationship with food.
Other Issues
Existential analysis addresses a variety of psychological and emotional challenges by focusing on the core aspects of human existence, such as meaning, freedom, responsibility, and authenticity. If you're experiencing anxiety and stress, existential analysis delves into the root causes, including existential anxiety about life's uncertainties and inevitable mortality. By helping you understand and confront these deep-seated fears, existential analysis fosters greater resilience and a sense of empowerment.
The Existential approach can be highly effective if you're dealing with depression, as it encourages you to explore your values and find personal meaning, which can alleviate feelings of hopelessness and despair.
Additionally, existential analysis is particularly beneficial for navigating significant life transitions, and relationship issues. Whether you're facing career changes, retirement, or the loss of a loved one, this therapeutic approach provides a supportive space for you to process your experiences and adapt to new circumstances. It helps you rebuild your sense of identity and purpose during times of change, fostering emotional resilience.
While Existential therapy has a philosophical foundation, it's not just about abstract ideas—it's practical and applicable to real-life situations.
In essence, the Existential approach is a journey of self-exploration, embracing different ways of being, and integrating practical, real-world strategies into your therapeutic experience, all done with compassion and understanding.
Qualifications
MA in Psychosocial Studies - University of East London
PgDip in Counselling - University of West London
Foundation in Psychotherapy and Counselling - NSPC
BSc Psychology - Middlesex University
Additional Training
Working with the Fallout of Narcissistic Abuse with Ramani Durvasula - PESI
Single Session Therapy (Level 2) - The Association for Psychological Therapies
ADHD Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP) Certification Course - PESI
Working with clients who experience an eating disorder – The Metanoia Institute
Working with narcissistic behaviour – Trauma training - UK
Neurodiversity and Eating Presentations – NEDDE
Traumatic bereavement; working therapeutically with young people - Anna Freud Centre and the Trauma Council
Fundamentals of Gestalt Therapy Theory - The Gestalt Centre
Certificate in Bereavement Counselling - Cruse Bereavement Care
