Dr Andrew Aboud

Hello, my name is Andrew and I’m a qualified Counselling Psychologist. I offer a confidential psychotherapy service, built around authenticity, trust, and understanding. Over many years, I have worked with individuals with a variety of problems such as feeling sad, depression, anxiety, panic attacks and relationship difficulties to name a few. Those of us who have experienced these kinds of issues (or others) find ourselves in unique circumstances, with unique problems, and therefore need unique solutions.

A different kind of therapy

My approach has developed over many years through a range of experiences of delivering successful therapy together with my intensive masters and doctoral training. Unlike most therapists who are trained in a single approach to therapy, as a psychologist, I draw on a range of different approaches which informs my practice. I have been trained in several orientations (i.e., cognitive-behavioural, psychodynamic, humanistic, etc.) which I may draw on, however I primarily embrace the Gestalt approach.

In a nutshell, Gestalt therapy could be described as ‘letting go of your mind and coming to your senses’. This involves a closer appreciation to how your current way of living is affecting you now where the focus of our sessions will be on increasing self-awareness. Unlike many therapies, this approach recognises that forcing a person to change paradoxically results in further distress and fragmentation. Rather, change results from an acceptance of what is. Many who have experienced this type of therapy have found it to be a refreshing departure from cognitive therapies – typically those offered by the NHS.

If you are new to therapy and are thinking of reaching out, I would like to add that many of my clients have found that the process was not as scary or strange as they expected and initially experience feelings of profound relief. From my own experience, I have to say that the process has often been challenging, but that it is also richly rewarding, and is one of the best means of bringing love back into your life.

Equally, if you have had a therapist before and would like to try a different approach, I hope that you will reach out, with whatever unique problem has brought you here. I truly believe that all great things must start on a small scale, it must begin with us as individuals, it must begin with you and me. Please feel free to leave a message where we can arrange a free 20-minute initial consultation over the phone.

• Specialist in the treatment of former Jehovah's Witnesses

Initial telephone consultation (up to 20 minutes): Free

Price for students/trainee therapists: £75 per session.