This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Hi, I’m Andrea Scherzer and I was born and raised in New York but moved to London in 1990. I offer short- and long-term Integrative psychotherapy/counselling and clinical supervision in West Hampstead, London, NW6.
I’ve been working in private practice as a UKCP registered Integrative psychotherapist and counsellor in North West London since 2000 and also have extensive experience supporting people with a wide range of issues in the NHS, private healthcare clinics and in secondary schools. In addition I’ve been supervising qualified and trainee psychotherapists and counsellors since 2005.
I understand that the idea of starting counselling/psychotherapy can be anxiety-provoking as I’ve been there myself. However I’ve also seen from personal and professional experience that improving our relationship with ourselves through therapy can be empowering and help us gain the confidence and courage to make positive changes to many areas of our lives.
A few examples of the many diverse issues I have helped people to make sense of and overcome are:
- Depression and mood instability.
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Anxiety and post-traumatic stress.
- Burn-out and re-traumatisation for those in the helping professions
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Eating disorders, self-harm and substance misuse.
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Low self-esteem/low self-confidence and issues around shame.
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Identity concerns (including gender uncertainty and sexual preference).
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Relationship and communication difficulties.
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Struggles with life transitions (e.g. finishing school/university, changing jobs or location, marriage, divorce, childbirth, retirement, ageing).
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Bullying in the workplace, through social media and in other contexts.
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Bereavement, grief, loss.
Whatever your reasons for starting therapy, I offer a confidential, supportive space where you can explore and better understand your thoughts, feelings and life experiences in order to develop a more contented sense of yourself. If you are over 16 and looking for psychotherapy/counselling or clinical supervision in West Hampstead please feel free to contact me.
Training, qualifications & experience
After moving to London in 1990 I started my professional career in education social work and completed a 4 year MA in Integrative Psychotherapy and Counselling at Regent’s University London in 1999. Prior to that I gained a BA in Sociology from Hofstra University in New York (1987) and an MSc. in Sociology from Southbank University London (1992).
I have been fully registered with the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) since 2000 and work in accordance with their Code of Ethics. I have regular clinical supervision and also attend continuing professional development trainings to ensure my work is informed by current ideas in the field. In recent years I have completed a Certificate in Integrative Clinical Supervision, a Certificate in Mindfulness-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and a Certificate in Mentalization-based Psychotherapy Treatment.
Since first starting to see clients as a trainee in 1996, I have provided therapy and counselling in the NHS, in private mental health clinics, in secondary schools with adolescents and in private practice. Alongside years of experience working with people struggling with a wide range of concerns, I also have 15 years specialist experience helping those struggling with eating disorders and other self-harming difficulties. In addition I’ve been a visiting lecturer at the Regents University School of Psychotherapy and Psychology since 2006 and have been providing clinical supervision to professional and trainee therapists and counsellors since 2005.
My Approach
The main essence of my approach is that:
Everyone has the right to feel proud of who they are and I take the importance of respecting equality and diversity very seriously. I also believe that as humans we are all vulnerable to making mistakes and poor choices. Although this may feel devastating at times, counselling and psychotherapy can help us learn from these challenges and move forward rather than allow shame and regret to destroy our potential.
I trained as an Integrative psychotherapist which has given me a broad range of therapeutic skills that are informed by several key approaches to counselling and psychotherapy including: psychodynamic, humanistic, existential and CBT. This enables me to work flexibly and tailor the therapy to suit your individual needs.
Getting Started
I offer short- (minimum 12 weeks) and long- term (no time limit) therapy. Once you make contact we will arrange an initial 60 minute assessment during which you can tell me about yourself and what you would like help with and I can tell you more about me and what I can offer. If you decide to go forward, we will agree a regular session time which usually occurs once or twice weekly for 50 minutes. I am here to listen without judgement and the space is yours to discuss and explore whatever is on your mind. It is my job to help you make sense of your feelings and experiences with the ultimate goal being improved confidence, self-awareness and overall wellbeing.
It’s important to remember there are rarely clear-cut answers to life’s dilemmas and therapy is not designed to provide quick solutions. It is a mutual process which requires commitment and work from both client and therapist and progress often takes time.
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 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
Fees
£80.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
My Fees:
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50 Minute psychotherapy session: £80
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Hour-long clinical supervision session: £65
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Three-hour group supervision session (twice monthly): £60 per member (maximum 5 members).
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Hour-long academic supervision session: £70
Fees can be paid by cash, cheque or bank transfer – invoices will be provided.
When I work
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I am available for sessions between 7:30 am-8:00pm Mon-Thursday and Friday 7:30am -12:00pm. I can also schedule weekend sessions where necessary.
Further information
On a side note, as someone who has been in therapy for 20 years myself, I understand what the process is like from the other chair as it were. Also as much as I take this work very seriously, I believe there is a place for appropriate, gentle humour in the therapeutic relationship and feel humour can be cathartic and useful to the overall experience.