Carmen Snell

Hi I'm Carmen, a BACP accredited Integrative Psychotherapist. I offer face to face counselling to adult individuals in my comfortable therapy room in Kingston upon Thames South-West London, or online via Zoom.

Asking for help can bring up mixed emotions. And to add to the mix, finding the right therapist can feel seriously overwhelming. The important bit is finding a therapist that you feel comfortable with as that can make opening up less daunting. 

An equal and trusting relationship is proven to create positive therapeutic outcomes and is what I will aim to provide you with. I do this by being being genuine, resulting in a warm, and down to earth approach. 

Issues I work with

I have helped clients with a wide range of presentations. I have a particular interest in working with relationship problems, identity issues, cultural issues, anxiety, loss, and difficult childhood experiences.

My key experience is embedded in and not limited to, supporting those who have experienced.

• Trauma, abuse, addiction, relationship problems, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, low mood, identity issues, cultural issues, difficult childhood experiences, bereavement, and loss.

Perhaps you notice unexplainable emotions, unhelpful relationship patterns, or addictive behaviours which you would like to change. Maybe something has happened to you that you would like to make sense of or come to terms with. Or it may be that you struggle with low self-esteem or find it hard to say no. People seek therapy for many reasons.

How therapy can help

• Psychotherapy is about understanding your emotional world and behaviours.
• It is a space to explore/express your genuine thoughts and feelings.
• You may develop insight regarding how you construct the world which surrounds you.
• It creates an opportunity to look at and work through life events and traumatic experiences.
• You may become aware of defence mechanisms which may no longer be helpful.
• You can process difficult emotions.
• It can provide clarity around navigating relationships.
• You may become aware of what you need to feel better.
• It can help you to feel more in control of your life.
• You will feel supported, respected, and heard.
• You will experience empathy, acceptance, compassion, and challenge. 
• It is a confidential, and non judgmental, therapeutic relationship.

How I work

I work relationally, meaning I use the therapeutic relationship as a strong foundation for our work and an indication of how you relate to yourself, others, and in turn how they respond to you. We will work at a pace that suits you, and talk about what you feel is important.

I draw from and integrate the valuable contributions of various approaches.

Person Centred, which means I will accompany you on your exploration providing deep empathic listening, acceptance, and honesty.  

Gestalt, with a focus on body process and creative work to help express stuck emotion/trauma that may be held in the body and psyche.

Existentialism, with a focus on the personal meaning of your experiences, your beliefs, and the choices you have available.

Attachment Theory, understanding how we attach to people in relationships, usually stemming from our earliest primary attachments.

I believe that my role as a counsellor is to listen, and hold a mental account of the whole of the content you bring. I will support and empower you to stand back from your story, and reflect on your life and experiences openly and honestly. This can be challenging but incredibly rewarding, and help to create positive change.

Book a session 

Please contact me for current availability and to arrange an initial 20 minute telephone call which is free, and provides an opportunity to see if we would work well together. There is no obligation to take up therapy thereafter, if you feel what I offer is not right for you.