Eileen McWilliams

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MA: BPC, UKCP, FPC(WPF)
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

Herne Bay, Kent, CT6 8HR
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

Taking the first step towards seeking professional help can feel like the most difficult step to take but once taken it can be the most rewarding one.

I am a fully qualified, accredited and experienced Psychodynamic Psychotherapist and Counsellor providing therapy in Herne Bay, Kent.

I provide a safe, respectful and supportive environment where you can talk about thoughts and feelings that worry or frighten you without fear of judgement. I see people from all walks of life and sexual orientations. Confidentiality is assured.

I trained at the Westminster Pastoral Foundation, Kensington. WPF Therapy is highly regarded as one of the leading psychodynamic and psychoanalytic training centres in the UK. My training was eclectic, this allows me to draw on all the major disciplines, classic and contemporary, in psychoanalytic and psychodynamic practice as needed for each person I see.

I have a special interest in Jungian Psychology and believe our personal conflicts are indicators of a need to find health and meaning in our lives.  I work with dreams, fantasies and any symbolic material such as art and literature to help in this process, sometimes the work will include spiritual themes.

About therapy

The psychodynamic perspective is based on the principle that current difficulties and distress can be related to early life experiences which can, consciously or unconsciously, be repeatedly affecting our lives and relationships in the present.

Whatever has caused hurt in the past may lead to life patterns that can inhibit the potential of people becoming the person they truly are by affecting the way they think and feel about themselves. In modern day life these patterns, which may have helped us to cope in the past, can cause distress and may get in the way of the ability to enjoy a healthy relationship either with oneself, with others or both.

Therapy is a collaborative process, we work together at your own pace, this encourages a relationship of total privacy to form and from this real self knowledge emerges. I am committed to this way of working.

Benefits that can be gained

Through our discussions and with the aid of time you can come to a better and deeper understanding of yourself.  This self-knowledge will give real meaning to you and can empower you to have better relationships and make more informed life choices.  This in turn can free you to live your life more fully, in a more self-determined way.

Confidentiality

All your communications to me are confidential.  I believe it is important that you feel safe to talk about thoughts, feelings and experiences you may not have felt able to reveal to anyone else.

Training, qualifications & experience

I gained my professional qualification to practice as a Psychodynamic Psychotherapist & Counsellor after completing six years of study and training at the Westminster Pastoral Foundation, Kensington (WPF Therapy)/Roehampton University. After qualification I continued my studies to gain my Masters Degree.

Qualifications

MA in Psychodynamic Theory & Practice - Roehampton University/WPF
Postgraduate Diploma in Psychodynamic Studies - Roehampton University/WPF
Advanced Diploma in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy & Counselling - (WPF)
Certificate in Counselling & Psychotherapy - Pastoral Care - (WPF)

In addition, I have been active as a therapist at WPF Therapy and in an NHS service that specialises in the treatment of adults who were sexually abused as children.

I have also worked with people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS and underwent training with The Terrence Higgins Trust.

I am a full member of:

BPC - British Psychoanalytic Council
CPJA - Council for Psychoanalysis & Jungian Analysis
UKCP - United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy
FPC - Foundation for Psychotherapy & Counselling

As an active member I abide by strict Codes of Ethical Conduct for professional practice as required by the above organisations. I also undertake Continuous Professional Development to keep up with contemporary developments in the field of psychoanalytical and psychodynamic psychotherapy.

Member organisations

Registered / Accredited

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.

BPC
British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC)

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.

UKCP
UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)

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

British Psychoanalytic Council
Accredited Register Scheme

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.

British Psychoanalytic Council

Other areas of counselling I deal with

Midlife/Ageing
Feelings of Emptiness/Inner Loneliness
Feelings of Guilt, Shame and Inadequacy
Identity Issues
Difficulties with Intimacy
Loss of Sense of Self
Boarding School Issues
Physical Symptoms caused by Emotional Difficulties
Emotional Impact of Serious Illness
Suicidal Thoughts and Impulses
Not knowing who you are or where you belong

Fees

£35.00 - £55.00

Additional information

My fees are based on a sliding scale dependent on income.

£35 - £55 per 50min session.

I can offer a number of reduced rates for people who are on low income or in financial difficulties. This can be discussed when we first meet.

Initial Consultation
The initial consultation generally lasts for 1hr 30mins. We will talk about what is troubling you and what you feel you need help with, then we can decide if psychodynamic therapy is suitable for you and whether we can work together.  There is no obligation to continue at this stage.

Initial Consultation fee is £45

Ongoing Therapy
Once weekly 50 minute sessions are usually set on the same day and at the same time each week.

Time-Limited Therapy is usually for 12 sessions and focuses on one specific problem.

Open-Ended Therapy is medium to long-term.  This allows for the time and space needed to explore underlying issues that may be preventing you from moving on with your life and living it in a more fulfilling way.

When I work

Daytime & Evenings

Carlton Hill, Herne Bay, Kent, CT6 8HR

Type of session

In person
Online

Types of client

Adults
Eileen McWilliams
Eileen McWilliams