Alexander Filmer-Lorch
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
“I believe that a different therapy must be constructed for each because each has a unique story” Irvin Yalom (2022)
The quote above resonates deeply with me on a personal level, echoing my own beliefs and experiences.
Early on in life, I developed a great passion and curiosity about understanding what it means to be a human being in a world full of challenges.
This curiosity evolved into my true calling.
However, to understand and safely facilitate others, I first had to explore and unpack the intricate and concealed aspects of my own being.
Over 30 years in the therapeutic field, my passion and dedication to support and facilitate others, especially during the most challenging times, has remained.
My professional journey has been characterised by organic growth and evolution. Through the attainment of diverse qualifications, I am equipped to approach individuals holistically and integratively.
My passion for assisting others began with the exploration of Eastern philosophy and psychology, which sparked my interest in mindfulness, meditation, and subsequent training in various remedial movement and postural integration techniques.
Seeking a deeper comprehension of the mind-body connection, I pursued training as a body worker and SomatoEmotional Release practitioner. This allowed me to support individuals navigating through complex challenges such as terminal and chronic illnesses, trauma, immune response, and brain injuries.
In 2016, a transformative life event prompted a profound shift in my perspective. Motivated by this experience, I dedicated myself to end-of-life and palliative care, specialising further in post-traumatic stress responses, existential questions and concerns, as well as anxiety-related issues and mental health problems. This led me to pursue training as a psychotherapist.
Today, I am privileged to serve as a fully qualified Integrative Counsellor and Clinical Psychotherapist, offering support in private practice in Surrey, London, Greater London and internationally through online platforms.
Training, qualifications & experience
- PGDip in Integrative Counselling & Clinical Psychotherapy
- PGCert in the Foundations of Counselling & Psychotherapy
- Advanced practitioner in CranioSacral Therapy and SomatoEmotional Release®, specialising in post-traumatic stress disorders, anxiety disorders, immune system response, brain injury, Therapeutic Dialog and Imagery
- Certified to teach Anatomy in Clay
- Senior Mindfulness, Meditation, Philosophy & Yogic Disciplines, grandfathered in and certified by the Yoga Alliance Professionals and Yoga Alliance USA
- Primary E-RYT500, E500 and T500 certification from the Yoga Alliance USA and European Yoga Alliance
Studies & Experience:
- Foundation in Psychothynsesis
- Eastern Psychology and Philosophy
- Advaita
- Fourth Way Teachings
- Mindfulness & Meditation
Member organisations
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.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
- End-of-Life
- Palliative Care
- Chronic illnesses
- Terminal Illnesses
- Death Anxiety
- Cancer
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£70.00 - £85.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
My fee is based on the average going rate in the respective area
Surrey Fee: £70 - London Fee £85
Concessions for open-ended weekly psychotherapy (above 16 sessions) based on individual circumstances.
When I work
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Further information
What I bring to therapy
In order to meet and honour your uniqueness, my work is based on a relational, collaborative and interactive approach. This allows you to focus on matters deeply embedded in your very existence that are exposed to an unpredictable and ever-changing world.
The single most important thing I have learned from my practice is that everybody’s story deserves to be heard. Therefore, my contribution is to be present and still enough to truly hear what you are saying, approaching you with a sense of openness and wonderment at your unfolding story.
Is there anything you need to bring to therapy?
The answer is simple; just bring yourself, and I’ll meet you wherever you are and with what you are right now. From there, everything else will naturally unfold.
My interests & specialisations:
Trauma, PTSD & C-PTSD
The effects of unsettling or traumatic experiences are frequently overlooked or dismissed, leading to a lack of recognition of post-traumatic stress symptoms and their profound impact on individuals and their lives. Understanding how to identify these signs, manage triggers, and utilise coping mechanisms developed for survival is crucial. It's essential to acknowledge that everyone's experience of trauma is unique and manifests differently.
Loss, Grief & Bereavement
For many years, I have dedicated my work to bereavement counselling, end-of-life and palliative care at St. Raphael’s Hospice in Sutton, London. In this volunteering role, I support patients and their families through difficult times. Grief counselling extends beyond the loss of a loved one and encompasses various forms of loss, including loss of health, relationships, careers, pets, identity, meaning, and purpose, among countless others.
Mental Health
Anxiety, Self-harm, OCD, Personality & Mood Disorders
We all frequently encounter highs and lows or anxiety-inducing situations in our lives. However, when these challenges become intolerable or overwhelming, we may experience depression, panic attacks, mood swings, paranoia, intrusive thoughts, self-harm, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, or difficulties with self-image, among other issues. During such times, therapy proves invaluable.
Diversity & Inclusion
In my therapy practice, I frequently observe that residing in a multicultural society presents unique challenges. Typically, individuals belonging to diverse backgrounds bear the brunt of discrimination, abuse, and isolation.
My practice warmly embraces individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those who identify as LGBTQIA+, neurodiverse, ethnic minorities, and those with physio-psychological disabilities (accessible for wheelchair users).
