Fiona Goodacre

I have 15 years experience as a psychotherapist/counsellor and completed my clinincal training in the NHS. Before I became a therapist I worked in the travel business and was a Director of a company based in the City of London. I understand the pressures and stress which work can create, and crucially, the challenges of trying to maintain a work-life balance. This awareness increased when I had my 2 young children and the challenges of managing work with family life.

I have also experienced divorce and bereavement which lead me to developing my interest in psychology and counselling. I wanted to channel my life experiences into something positive which would be helpful to others. I studied for 5 years starting with a foundation course, a degree in Intergrative Counselling which I studied whilst working for a company called the UK Young Autism Project Ltd,  and after achieving my full accreditation with the BACP I set up my own private practice.

Enough about me -what about you?

Are you experiencing burnout? difficulties in relationships? Striggling with anxiety or depression? Are you living with ADHD or Autism or had a recent diagnsis of ADHD or Autism and finding life challenging? , I can provide a support system which offers the space to explore and identify the possible source of such negative feelings whilst considering various coping mechanisms to improve your general sense of well being. Sometimes individuals and couples encounter difficulties in life which may seem impossible to share with friends and family and therapy provides an opportunity to talk openly and freely about such issues without fear of criticism or judgement.  

Such difficulties can feel really overwhelming and out of control. This can be triggered by any number of incidents including bereavement, illness, relationship issues including affairs, work problems, narcissistic abuse and betrayals, family issues including parenting, self esteem, lack of confidence, immigration issues, ADHD/ADD, depression and post natal depression, financial worries, self-harm, new mothers suffering with anxiety, social anxiety, death anxiety, performance anxiety, panic attacks, sexual issues, gender identity, infertility, the menopause, social media issues, psychological abuse, ill health, anger, debt, a change in circumstance such as unemployment, redundancy, divorce. 

It is also not unusual to simply have a general sense of lack of fulfilment, a feeling of 'flatness', loneliness (even if you are in a relationship) unhappiness or anger without being able to actually identify the cause. Together, we can work through these difficult feelings and identify the source of your distress.

The Way I Work
Consider the decision to come to counselling as a valuable investment in yourself. It creates an opportunity to work together collaboratively towards positive change.

I want to really listen to you and provide therapy to support your individual needs. I work in a safe, confidential, personal environment to encourage self-exploration, insight and awareness; working towards making sense of the difficulties and issues which may be causing emotional distress and anxiety. I am able to draw from a number of approaches  including the psychodynamic, Gestalt (encouraging creativity when appropriate), humanistic, developmental/reparative, and existentialist approaches,and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) when required. I can offer life coaching to improve social skills, increase your confidence and to build up your self esteem.

Additionally I believe that a holistic approach within counselling can encourage personal growth and a general sense of well-being. I also offer the opportunity to explore the techniques of Mindfulness which can help reduce stress and anxiety.
I also offer supportive, integrative-relational supervision to other qualified therapists please contact me for further details.

Free of Charge Initial Consultation for Individuals
I also understand how the decision to seek support through counselling may seem daunting, particularly if you have never attended counselling before. Therefore I offer a FREE 30 minute, initial assessment whereby your expectations and needs from a counselling service can be explored. I can receive a brief outline of your personal history in order to assess whether I can give you the appropriate support you are seeking. This free consultation provides an opportunity for our mutual assessment and to decide whether we can successfully work together. The key goals can be agreed and whether short or long term therapy is desirable. Expectations and goals will then be regularly reviewed throughout the counselling process. I feel it is really important to build trust for a successful, caring, non-judgmental, therapeutic relationship in a safe place, and I consider confidentiality to be paramount.

Location
I have my own private practices in Elborough Street & Replingham Road less than 5 minutes walk from Southfields Underground station and bus links to Wandsworth, Wimbledon, Roehampton, Clapham and Tooting (buses; 493, 39 and 156).  Free parking is available on nearby side roads with the exception of parking restrictions; applicable Mon-Fri between 1.30 p.m. and 2.30 p.m only.

Couples therapy is offered online via Zoom.  Relationships are ever changing and encounter many challenges along the way. Therapy can be helpful to encourage you both to communicate in a different way and in a safe space. It gives you a chance to really hear one another and can alleviate any tensions experienced between you. 

Young Adults & Students (18+)
I also work extensively with young people and adolescents from the age of 18 years plus and I have a DBS certificate. Many young people are increasingly suffering from anxiety, panic attacks, and depression. Some adolescents and young people may use self-harm as a coping mechanism. It can often be very difficult for a young person or teenager to either identify their feelings or talk to their parents or family about these feelings. Many young people are afraid they will upset or make their loved ones become anxious,and so therapy offers them a place to express themselves freely and talk about their feelings without fear of recrimination or a sense of responsibility.

My Experience
I am a counsellor and psychotherapist working with clients who require short or long-term therapy. My qualifications are listed below. In addition, as part of my clinical training, I counselled at NHS health centres in both Surbiton and Mitcham, gaining the foundation of my counselling practice in a broad spectrum of NHS centres and enhancing my overall experience of issues including bereavement, addiction, co-dependency, bullying, immigration issues, anxiety, performance anxiety, anger management, burnout, relationships, family issues, sexual issues, parenting, separation, redundancy, terminal illness, depression, and post natal depression.

I abide by the ethics set out by the BACP (British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists) and of which I am an accredited member. Additionally I am an accredited member of the National Counselling Society (MNCS) and I am an approved, registered psychotherapeutic counsellor with the Authority for Health and Social Care.

Availability and Fees
I offer week-day and evening appointments. It is my usual practise to offer one 50 minute session per week; £75 per session. For couples the fee is £90 per 60 minute session (Initial Consultation for Couples is longer; 1 hour 15 minutes at a fee of £110).

Whilst I recommend weekly sessions for individuals, the  frequency of sessions can be discussed during the free of charge initial consultation. 


"Each of us secretly and desparately yearns to be 'met' -to be recognised in our uniqueness, our fullness and our vulnerability" (Hycner and Jacobs 1995)

Immigration Issues
Parenting Issues
Internet addiction Issues
Teenagers (18+)
Mindfulness
Supervision for other therapists

£75 per 50 minute session for Individuals (Face to Face, Zoom and Telephone) 

£110 First session Couples - 1 hour 15 minutes
£90 per 60 minute session for Couples weekdays/evening

£80 per 50 minute session for Supervision

Concessions available for Counselling/Therapy Related Students

Online and telephone counselling
Anxiety -all forms including General Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety and Panic attacks

Narcissitic Trauma

Visa/Immigration Issues
New mothers with anxiety issues
Life Coaching
Supervision for other therapists