Donna Mendel
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This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Hello, My name is Donna. Thank you for taking the time to read my profile and research the right type of therapy for you. I practice psychodynamic psychotherapy and have provided a brief summary of this type of therapy in the hope that it will help you find a good fit for your needs.
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy is a form of therapy that focuses on the unconscious processes as they are manifested in a person's present behaviour. This type of therapy aims to explore unresolved conflicts and issues from the past that may be influencing your current thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. It often involves exploring early childhood experiences and relationships to gain insight into patterns of behaviour and develop a deeper understanding of yourself.
I will be non-judgemental and accept you unconditionally. My aim is to empower you to find your own resilience and direction in life. The skills needed to live a contented life lie within everyone, and I will support you in locating them. My role is to provide a confidential and safe space for you to discover your true self, not to offer a ‘cure’.
I consider the therapeutic relationship to be a key factor in the effectiveness of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and one important aspect is the formation of an emotional connection. This emotional bond can provide a supportive environment for exploring difficult emotions, resolving conflicts, and promoting healing. Overall, the therapeutic relationship serves as a foundation for effective therapy. When you feel understood, supported, and cared for, you are more likely to engage in the therapeutic process, open up about your concerns, and make meaningful changes in your life.
Throughout this process and over time you will learn about yourself and develop healthy coping strategies to deal with adversities in your live. I believe that will make you a stronger and more resilient person. I understand that taking the first step, making the call to enquire can be scary and I offer a free 10 -15 minute introductory call for us to discuss your needs and for you to ask any pending questions. If you wish to proceed, I will offer you an initial consultation either online or in person to gain insight into your history and your hopes and expectations for therapy. If we mutually feel we are able to work together, we can agree on a weekly appointment time and date to start. I can work within both a time limited and open-ended capacity, and this is something we will assess together.
My qualification as a Psychodynamic Psychotherapist has gained me invaluable experience in working with adults who have depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, or have suffered childhood trauma, adult trauma, domestic violence and abuse.
Training, qualifications & experience
Training list
- Over 7 years of Psychodynamic therapy training and over 1000 clinical hours of working 1:1 with individuals.
- Clinical qualification in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
- Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling
- Foundation Diploma in Counselling Skills
- Certificate in Counselling Skills
Selected additional training /experience
- Public engagement and emotional regulation skills gained from working for six years as a front line Police Community Support Officer (PCSO)
- Independent domestic abuse advisor (IDVA) Four years experience of working with survivors of high risk domestic abuse and liaising with police and the criminal justice system.
Registrations
- British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
- UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
- British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC)
- Professional Indemnity Insurance
- Information Commissioners office (ICO)
- Disclosure and Baring Service (DBS)
- Diploma in Domestic Abuse - Safe Lives accreditation. (IDVA)
- Front line Police Community Support Officer training (PCSO)
Member organisations
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 British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC) is a professional association, representing the profession of psychoanalytic psychotherapy.
The organisation is itself made up of fourteen member organisations and BPC accredits the trainings of its member organisations. An individual who qualifies from one of these trainings is then eligible for entry into the BPC's register.
BPC registrants are governed by a code of ethics, a policy of continuing professional development, a statement on confidentiality and a complaints procedure. The BPC is a Member Society of the European Federation for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy in the Public Sector (EFPP). Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
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.
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
£60.00 - £80.00
Free initial telephone session
Additional information
Initial consultation 90 minutes
Range £60 -£80
When I work
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Please specify the area you are enquiring about - Essex or Central London.
