Carl Taylor

Hello, I’m Carl Taylor, a Chartered Counselling Psychologist. I work with adults who appear to cope well on the surface but feel internally stuck, anxious, self-critical, or caught in repeating patterns in relationships or work.

With over 23 years of experience working in psychological therapy, including 14 years in specialist NHS psychology and psychotherapy services. I offer therapy in Central London (Borough / London Bridge SE1) and online across the UK.

Many of the people who come to see me appear outwardly capable and responsible in their work or personal lives but privately feel anxious, emotionally drained, self-critical, or stuck in patterns that don’t seem to change.

You might notice that certain difficulties keep repeating in relationships, work, or in the way you relate to yourself. Perhaps you overthink decisions, struggle with boundaries, feel emotionally shut down, or find yourself caught in cycles of self-criticism or frustration.

Therapy with me focuses on understanding why these patterns developed, how they continue to show up in your life now, and what keeps them going. From there, we work together to develop more flexible and supportive ways of responding.

Many people I work with have spent a long time trying to work things out on their own before deciding to seek therapy.

What people often come to therapy for

People who contact me commonly describe:

• Ongoing anxiety, emotional tension, or burnout
• Low mood, low self-esteem, and a harsh internal critic
• Feeling emotionally disconnected or “numb”
• Difficulties with boundaries, assertiveness, or people-pleasing
• Repeating patterns in relationships or work
• Managing well externally while struggling internally
• Periods of uncertainty, transition, or loss of direction

You don’t need a diagnosis or a clear label to come to therapy. Often people simply reach a point where something feels stuck or unsustainable.

What therapy is like working with me

Therapy with me is collaborative, reflective, and structured.

I’m an active therapist, meaning we work together to explore patterns in how you think, feel, and relate to others. Many clients find it helpful to develop a clear psychological understanding of their difficulties rather than only focusing on symptom management.

While we may explore earlier experiences where this is helpful, the main focus is on how difficulties appear in your life now and what keeps them repeating.

Over time therapy aims to help you:

• Recognise patterns more clearly
• Understand the emotional and relational dynamics involved
• Develop more flexible ways of responding to yourself and others

I also check in regularly about how therapy is progressing so we can adjust the work together if needed.

My therapeutic approach

As a Counselling Psychologist, my work is grounded in psychological formulation, developing a shared understanding of the patterns and experiences that have shaped your difficulties.

I work integratively, with my practice primarily informed by Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) alongside ideas from:

• Mentalisation-Based Therapy (MBT)
• Attachment theory
• Psychodynamic and relational approaches
• Compassion-focused work

These approaches provide a structured framework for understanding repeating relational patterns while remaining flexible and tailored to each individual.

The aim is not to apply a rigid technique but to develop a thoughtful psychological understanding that supports meaningful and lasting change.

I work with adults experiencing a range of emotional and relational difficulties, particularly where problems feel long-standing, repetitive, or difficult to shift.

Common areas people bring to therapy include:

• Anxiety and chronic worry
• Depression and low mood
• Low self-esteem and self-criticism
• Burnout and emotional exhaustion
• Difficulties with boundaries or assertiveness
• Relationship difficulties and repeating relational patterns
• Attachment-related difficulties
• Life transitions or periods of uncertainty

A central part of therapy involves developing a shared psychological understanding of these patterns so that more flexible and sustainable ways of responding can emerge.

Session fees

My standard fee for self-funding clients is £120 per 50-minute session.

Evening sessions are £140.

Sessions are usually weekly and held at a regular time.

Health insurance

I am a recognised provider with most major health insurers.

If you intend to use private health insurance, please contact your insurer to confirm your level of cover and obtain authorisation before starting therapy. Once authorised, I invoice insurers directly where applicable.

Practical details

I offer therapy:

• In person in Central London (Borough / London Bridge SE1)
• Online via secure Zoom

Sessions are 50 minutes and usually take place weekly at a regular time.

Many of my clients are professionals based in London who prefer either in-person sessions near London Bridge or the flexibility of online therapy.

Initial consultation

I offer a one-off initial consultation via Zoom for people considering therapy.

This provides an opportunity for us to talk about:

• What has been prompting you to consider therapy
• The kinds of difficulties you have been experiencing
• How I work and whether this approach feels suitable
• Practicalities such as availability and next steps

The consultation is not a free therapy session or a “taster”, but a focused space to think together about whether working together would be helpful. There is no obligation to continue beyond this meeting.

Final note

If you’re considering therapy but feel unsure whether this is the right time or approach, you’re welcome to get in touch.

An initial conversation can often help clarify things and decide whether working together would be helpful.