About me
Hi, I'm Nicola.
With more than 30 years of experience, I work as a Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist and Attachment and Trauma Specialist. I'm a warm, open and very present person, providing a safe, reflective space for individuals and couples seeking help with complex trauma, relationship patterns, anxiety, and emotional wellbeing.
My foundation in child development and attachment, along with extensive roles in the NHS and Social Services, has shaped my deeply informed and compassionate approach to therapeutic work.
The aim will be for us to get to the root of your problems and bring about fundamental, lasting change.
My particular interest in attachment means I pay close attention to how childhood experiences and trauma shape the ways we feel, relate, and understand ourselves as adults. I also work sensitively with the mind–body connection, recognising that emotional pain can often show up as physical symptoms, tension, or long-term health issues. I support both your mental and physical wellbeing in a compassionate, holistic way, always considering the social and environmental world you live in.
I offer therapy online, giving you the convenience and comfort of being in your own space.
Working with me
I'm a very experienced therapist, which will hopefully make it easier to make a deep connection. I will be direct when I need to be and aim to be sensitive at all times. I have a proactive, informed and constructive approach.
I will always address the core issues that underlie your problem and look beyond the label you come in with.
Presenting issues may be:
- depression
- anxiety
- trauma
- low self-confidence
- identity distress
- eating disorders and other body problems (including physical illness)
- Childhood and family issues
- sexual and physical abuse
- difficulty in the couple
- Panic and phobias
- overcoming addiction.
The aim of our work is to help you understand and find ways of freeing yourself from the presenting conditions and situations, to become clearer in your thinking and actions, and more hopeful about the future.
Working with trauma
I have expertise in attachment and psychotherapy and many years of experience in trauma and complex forms of trauma. I have had a very rigorous training and many years of experience in a variety of settings, and a thorough grounding in psychoanalytic psychotherapy and in contemporary approaches, working with current crises and in-depth with the core of your problem.
You will be safe in my care.
Please contact me if you want individual psychotherapy, couple therapy or if you have any questions.
Training, qualifications & experience
- First Class Degree in Sociology
- PhD in Psychoanalysis - which focused on psychosomatic conditions and body image difficulties
- Director of PhD studies in Psychotherapy and Counselling, Regents college
- Senior Lecturer in Psychotherapy at the University of East London
- Clinical Scholar with the British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC)
- Senior Lecturer in Counselling within the Psychosocial school at the University of East London.
- Tavistock Clinic
- Staff psychotherapist for years at the Women's Therapy Centre which has given me specialist experience in Women's issues.
- Psychotherapist at the Helen Bamber Foundation for those who have been traumatised by abuse and torture and suffer from trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
I have over thirty years of experience, trained with the British Association of Psychotherapists(BAP) now (BPF) and am registered with the British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC).
I specialised in child development and attachment which are crucial in helping understand adult experiences, I did two years at the Tavistock Clinic in infant-observation and childhood studies, started off working in the NHS and Social Services working psycho dynamically with children and adolescents, then specialised with the British Association (BAP) to work with adults.
- Experience in academic research as well as a clinical background and expertise.
- I also have an interest in working with disability and illnesses.
I have published books and journal papers on attachment theory /practice and bodily issues, sexual abuse, psychosomatic dysfunction and body image, post traumatic disorder and working with body symptoms in psychotherapy.
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
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.
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
Body symptoms that have no clear known organic cause and are rooted in emotional developmental and other related issues. Psychosomatic Hysterical Hypochondriachia Body Dimorphic and other body image disorders.
I have also an interest in chronic physical illness and it's effect on mental health
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£70.00 - £130.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I take into account Individual circumstances and fees vary accordingly.
Please contact me with any questions.
When I work
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I work morning and afternoon all days of the week, and do offer evening sessions which may be necessary for those who work full time.
