Lesley Aitcheson BA, MSc. MBACP

46 Harley Street London W1G 9QA View map
07779 279240 / 07779 279240 www.harleycp.co.uk Click here to Email me

Profile

I am an experienced psychotherapist, used to working with a range of difficulties, including relationship issues, depression and trauma.

People often turn to psychotherapy when they have tried to resolve their issues themselves but then realise they would like more support without burdening friends or family. These issues could be anything from relationships or health, problems with self-esteem, fear or anger, bereavement or sexual problems.

As a psychotherapist, I will not have a pre-conceived idea of how to manage your situation and I provide a safe environment where you can explore and address your issues at your own pace. There is no judgement of your issues. Instead, we will work in this safe and confidential space to encourage emotional growth and to allow you to resolve your problems or make changes in order to lead a more fulfilled life.We can consider how the events of the past have contributed to your current situation.

Some of the typical problems I work with include anxiety, childhood and adult abuse, bereavement, sexuality, trauma, anger, relationship issues, domestic violence, adoption and assertiveness.

I work as a psychodynamic therpaist, and the work is based on the idea that our unconscious fears, desires and needs impact on our conscious life. I work with you to allow feelings which are hidden, for whatever reason, to come to the fore and be experienced, thought about and understood.

We'll begin with a fifty minute assessment, using this time to think about what has brought you to seek therapy, why now and how you are currently affected. We also check that we can work together and whether the problem you wish to work on is best solved by this way of working. (If it is not, I will help you with the next steps).

If we agree that we would like to work together, then we will make a start with a minimum of six sessions of fifty minutes each.

After this, we review the work and decide what, if anything, needs to happen next.

I have worked with people for a duration of anything from six sessions to over two hundred sessions, depending on the level of difficulty we have been working with.

Whilst some people are satisfied with coping strategies and other tools, others wish to attain a deep understanding of their situation. I ensure that the process remains flexible and responsive to these needs. You can read more about this at www.harleycp.co.uk

Training, Qualifications & Experience

I hold an MSc in Psychodynamic Counselling. I am also a member of the Metanoia Institute where I am researching on a doctoral programme on the long-term efficacy of psychodynamic psychotherapy. I am an accredited Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), and a member of the Association for Independent Practitioners (AIP). I am registered with the United Kingdom Register of Counsellors (UKRCP).

I have experience in working as a psychodynamic psychotherapist dealing with serious issues such as the damage that arises from trauma or abuse. I have also helped people with a range of mental health issues, relationship problems,eating disorders,transgender issues and difficulties at work.

I deal in particular with:

Psychosexual issues

Anger management

Bereavement

Depression

Relationship issues

Anxiety

Career counselling

Bipolar disorder or manic depression

Eating disorders

Addictions

Obsessive compulsive disorder or ocd