Stephen Hanscomb
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
I provide an Integrative approach to psychotherapy, working on a one-to-one basis, either in-person or via Zoom, relationally with my clients, creating a safe, non-judgemental and supportive environment.
I believe in relating to my clients in such a way that enables me to fully understand their perspective on the key issues affecting their lives. As this maybe the first time you have ever spoken about difficult aspects of your life, I always work with respect and at your pace, this creates the trust between us which is essential if we are to work effectively together, as challenges present themselves.
Right now we live in pressurised times, where everything from our personal relationships, family and work can affect our wellbeing in all manner of ways, sometimes we just need time to think and express our thoughts and feelings to someone who can listen and accompany us on our journey.
I work with people of all ages and backgrounds, some with complex abusive histories, including childhood sexual abuse, or those who have suffered school or work place bullying, due to sexuality or gender identity issues, or post traumatic stress, to family provoked anxiety leading to issues around self esteem, confidence and addictive behaviours, incl. Chemsex, drugs, alcohol, pornography addiction or sexual compulsivity, which are often seen as escape routes. I can help you look at all aspects of life that affect how you see yourself and your place in the world.
My approach is to integrate a Humanistic, Person Centred, Relational approach, with Psychodynamic and Phenomenological theory to fully relate to my client. Experientially, I have found Mindfulness and Focusing to be of great value, both personally and in my client work.
Location
I work from my office in Belsize Park NW3 (easily accessible from Swiss Cottage - Jubilee, Belsize Park - Northern and Finchley Road - Metropolitan/Jubilee).
I also offer sessions via Zoom.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications
I am fully qualified with an MA in Psychotherapy and Counselling and an Advanced Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy, both from Regent's University London.
I have a diploma in Sex Addiction and Compulsivity from The Laurel Centre.
I am registered with UKCP, MBACP, ATSAC and adhere to their ethical guide lines.
Experience
I completed an honorary placement at The South London and Maudsley NHS Foudation Trust (SLaM). Here I worked with patients suffering from severe mental health issues and often in psychosis including; schizophrenia, personality disorders, paranoia, self harming, suicidal ideation.
I have many years experience working with LGBTQ+ people from within the community, as a mentor, telephone crisis support worker and psychotherapist/counsellor;
Sexual health charity Metro (Greenwich) - working with all aspects of GSRD (Gender Sex and Relationship Diversity) within LGBTQ+ mental health across a wide cross section of age groups and society:
1. Mentor program for gay men (18-50yrs) who were HIV negative but repeatedly practiced unprotected sex. This was a CBT style 9 week program on a one-to-one basis.
2. Psychotherapist/Counsellor for 25yrs plus age group covering all aspects of mental health incl. HIV/AIDS, sexual health, sexuality, addiction (chemsex, alcohol, drugs, gambling), depression, bereavement, family related stress and anxiety, relationship issues, Trans and Gender Identity issues and spirituality.
Youth homelessness at The Albert Kennedy Trust, this mentor role involved working with young people 16-24yrs old. Safety, loneliness and vulnerability were key issues I helped the young people deal with, as well as, coming to terms with their sexuality, sexual health (HIV/AIDS, STI's), learning how to stay mentally and physically healthy as well as trying to deal with isolation and rejection.
Male sexual abuse/rape at Survivors UK. My work has encompassed working with men of all ages, across a wide socio-demographic, in areas including; family issues and relationships, depression, anxiety, stress, suicidal ideation, sexuality, HIV/AIDS, addiction (drugs, sex, alcohol, chemsex, gambling).
Special Interests
I have a special interest in working with addiction, particularly with gay men who engage in Chemsex and related issues, as well as, with men who are survivors of childhood sexual abuse or adult rape, leading to shame and loss of identity.
I also have experience in working with men who suffer with sex addiction and pornography related compulsivity.
I integrate experiential aspects of Mindfulness, Meditation and Focusing into my work, particularly where anxiety is an issue.
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 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.
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred).
Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision.
Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training.
All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Addiction - pornography addiction and sexual compulsivity
Gay men and Chemsex related issues
Male survivors of Sexual Abuse and/or rape.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£60.00 per session
Free initial in-person or online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
At the present time I am able to offer flexible online session times and reduced fees where income is limited.
I charge £60.00 for a 50 minute session. However, I do negotiate rates depending on income.
My initial session is free of charge, with no obligation, as it provides us with an opportunity to get to know one another and to decide if we wish to work together.
When I work
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Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 8am to 8pm.
