Orion Peterson
Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.
This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Hello and welcome to my profile
If you are reading this you may be wanting to learn more about me or maybe you are wanting to learn more about yourself. Perhaps you are experiencing distress in some area of your life that no longer feels manageable or bearable. Or maybe you aren’t sure why you continue to find yourself in the same difficult relationships or engaging in the same unwanted behaviours. Whatever the difficulties you may be facing perhaps what’s most important is that you are considering reaching out for help and in being able to do that, there is a part of you that believes things can be better. I would very much welcome the opportunity to work with you to realise whatever better might be for you.
My name is Orion Peterson and I am a professionally qualified and registered (UKCP, BPC, SAP, FPC) analytical psychologist/Jungian analyst and psychodynamic psychotherapist experienced in full time private practice as well as clinical work environments, offering one-to-one therapy sessions with adults. I am based in Southwark, Central London in between Borough, London Bridge and Waterloo tube stations.
A bit about how I work
As a professional psychotherapist I offer a supportive, confidential and non-judgemental space in which you can explore whatever difficulties you may be facing and together we can begin to make sense of your experience. My approach is warm, relational and collaborative. We can focus on whatever is on your mind on that day or in that moment. There is no how-to manual, no agenda and no formula. I believe that working together we can create a safe thinking space which enables deeper reflection on yourself as well as your experience of the people and the world around you.
Training, qualifications & experience
Training
I am a fully-qualified Analytical Psychologist/Jungian Analyst and Psychodynamic Psychotherapist. I originally began my career in a corporate business setting but later decided to change course and explore psychotherapy. Following a one- year certificate course in Counselling Skills, I undertook a rigorous four-year postgraduate training in psychodynamic theory and practice through The University of Roehampton and WPF Therapy, one of the leading academic and clinical institutions in Britain, accredited by BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) and UKCP (United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy). I also practised as a psychodynamic psychotherapist for four and a half years at the WPF Therapy clinic in London. Most recently in 2016, I began a further intensive training in Jungian Adult Analysis (analytical psychology) at The Society of Analytical Psychology. I am a member of the UKCP (United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy), BPC (British Psychoanalytical Council), SAP (Society of Analytical Psychology) and FPC (Foundation for Counselling and Psychotherapy).
Qualifications
- Postgraduate Diploma in Psychodynamic Theory and Practice (University of Roehampton)
- Qualification in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (WPF Therapy)
- Certificate in Counselling Skills (WPF Therapy)
- Jungian Adult Analysis/ Analytical Psychology Training (The Society of Analytical Psychology) 2016-2021
Professional Standards & Confidentiality
As a member of the BPC (British Psychoanalytical Council) and FPC (Foundation for Counselling and Psychotherapy) I follow their strict ethical codes and professional standards including:
- Confidentiality: all your communications with me - whether in person, email or over the phone - will remain confidential.
- Full-cover professional indemnity insurance
- Having regular clinical supervision
- Undertaking regular professional development
Experience
I have experience of working with people from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures and across all age groups. People have reached out to me for a wide range of reasons including:
- Acute stress or anxiety, including having panic attacks/panic disorde
- Loss of purpose or hope and lack of fulfilment
- Issues around poor self-esteem and low confidence
- Depression, loneliness or isolation
- Disassociation and trauma
- Family issues and relationship issues
- Physical or emotional abuse in family or personal relationship dynamics
- Sexual abuse
- Questions, confusion or issues relating to sexuality and desire
- Psychosexual difficulties
- Anger management
- Concerns or confusion around identity relating to race, ideology or gender
- Addiction issues
- Obsessive and compulsive behaviors
- Workplace conflicts, including bullying and discrimination
- LGBTQ support
- Self-harm
- Eating disorders
- Difficulties in making or sustaining affirming relationships
- Bereavement and grief
- Feelings or anxieties relating to trauma
Whatever it is you are grappling with, I believe that the safety and openness of the therapeutic relationship can offer a uniquely containing and reflective space within which to explore, understand and discover oneself. And with that increased understanding can come a stronger sense of self, an increased inner confidence and a feeling of being more alive.
Member organisations
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
The British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC) is a professional association, representing the profession of psychoanalytic psychotherapy.
The organisation is itself made up of fourteen member organisations and BPC accredits the trainings of its member organisations. An individual who qualifies from one of these trainings is then eligible for entry into the BPC's register.
BPC registrants are governed by a code of ethics, a policy of continuing professional development, a statement on confidentiality and a complaints procedure. The BPC is a Member Society of the European Federation for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy in the Public Sector (EFPP). Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.
As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.
UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
My regular fee is £90 per session but we can discuss this during our initial consultation with consideration of your individual circumstances and agree a fee together before any commitment to ongoing therapy is made. My fee for initial consultations is £75.
When I work
Monday-Friday : Flexible hours including early morning and evening appointments; Saturday appointments also available
Further information
Taking the next step
Please feel welcome to send me an email or contact me by phone to arrange a consultation or with any further queries you may have. I am also happy to have a brief conversation on the telephone if that would be helpful. Our first meeting will be treated as an initial consultation. This will give you a chance to come and meet me, discuss your reasons for seeking therapy and experience how a session feels for you. It also allows you to dip your toe in the water and get a sense of my way of working to help you decide whether I am the right therapist for you. Choosing a therapist that is right for you - one that you feel you can work with and trust - is important.
If we decide to move forward then we would agree a regular schedule for your sessions. These would be a minimum of once weekly and at the same day and time each week. Each session lasts 50 minutes and the therapy would be open-ended. Although sometimes it can feel quite daunting to take the decision to make contact, it is an important and positive step to reach out for help. I would welcome hearing from you and I will reply as quickly as possible with sensitivity and in confidence.
