Dr Francesca Palmieri

I am a Chartered Counselling Psychologist available for face to face appointments in Clapham as well as Telephone and Online Counselling Sessions. 

I work with adults, children, families and couples and use a range of therapies including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) (including Third Wave approaches; Acceptance and Commitment Therapy {ACT}), Schema Therapy and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT). I create an individualised treatment programme for each of my patients based on what they need and feel comfortable with, and taking into consideration what is proven to bring the fastest and most longest lasting relief for their particular difficulty.

I have many years of experience and am registered as a Chartered Counselling Psychologist with The Health Care Professions Council (HCPC).

I am experienced in helping people to resolve the majority of problems that cause emotional distress and discomfort including (but not limited to):

• Addiction
• Alcohol Problems
• Anger Issues
• Anxiety
• Bereavement
• Counselling for Carers
• Child & Teenager Counselling
• Depression & Low Mood
• Eating Disorders
• Family Therapy
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Relationship Problems
• Stress

Services Offered

I also offer the following services:

• Bereavement Counselling
• Child Counselling
• Expert Witness
• Family Counselling
• Marriage Counselling
• Medico-Legal Assessment and Treatment
• Specialist Eating Disorder Counselling

My Philosophy

At difficult times in our lives we feel tested and confused; scared and unsure of how to move forward; it can feel like we’re in a blurred tunnel and we blame ourselves when things don’t happen as we’d like.  It helps to have someone guide you through these difficult times, someone who can create a supportive and reflective space where problems can be unravelled and better understood.

We often deny, and try to ignore, bad feelings and can easily get stuck in a circle of negative thought patterns which influence how we see the world and how we feel and behave.  This negative cycle can prevent us from making any positive changes and we struggle to do what before had been the simplest of tasks.

I take a pluralistic approach to my practice. I recognize the importance of having a full collaboration with my clients and value an open dialogue to help you identify what you need from therapy and how, together, we will archive it.

My Approach

I work in an integrative way practicing CBT as my main model but do also draw on other therapeutic models, such as on Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema Therapy and Compassion Focused therapy (CFT), as appropriate.

I have great experience of working with a wide range of different presenting problems such as low self-confidence, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, OCD, panic attacks, sleep problems, health anxiety, social anxieties, bereavement and drug or alcohol problems.

Psychometric tests are a very helpful tool in my practice and I always work with a formulation as the foundation for my diagnosis, which is the cornerstone of a good Psychological practice.

I work with clients using both short-term and long-term therapies and will discuss and review the length of therapy with clients on an ongoing basis.  Client feedback in therapy is essential in forming a trusting relationship and ensuring their needs are being met.

I create a safe space where children, families, couples and individuals can share their fears and feel understood.

My Motivation

I am very empathetic and care about my work.  I am passionate about helping others. I feel privileged to have been given the opportunity to listen, enter people’s life and share the things they feel comfortable with and help them to reach a more fulfilling and optimal stage in their life. Being a psychologist has always just felt like what I should be doing. I believe that people need to have the freedom and emotional acceptance to fully express themselves to reach their full potential.

A Little More About Me

I like travelling when I get the chance to and I am curious about discovering new places and immerse myself in other cultures. I am an insightful and creative person and I like to take some time to write, read and visit art galleries.

I offer everyone a Free of Charge Pre-Assessment Telephone Consultation

The fees below are for a 50 minute face to face, telephone or video counselling session.

Self Funded Treatment

Fees £130 - £220. These are dependant on circumstances and situation.

Health Insurance

Most national and international Private Healthcare companies are accepted including (but not limited to):

Bupa Global
Allianz
Cigna
Healix
Aviva
WPA
and more…
It may be possible to use your private health insurance to cover the cost or part of the cost of your appointments. Each healthcare provider have slightly different policies but most of them are happy for you to approach us directly in the first instance.

Some private healthcare companies require a referral from your GP in order to access your policy. GP’s are often happy to provide a referral following a phone consultation instead of a traditional face to face appointment in the surgery as it is more time efficient.

With the above a quick call to your healthcare provider should allow them clarify these details.

It is worth noting that not all policies will cover the full cost of your treatment. We will advise you of the availability of healthcare appointments, and any cost implications in your initial enquiry.

Some healthcare providers have fees which are different to our self funding rates detailed above. If these are less than our own rate we have to ask that the shortfall is made up by the patient. Please just remember to tell us who your provider is as soon as possible to avoid any confusion when booking.

"I would just like to say a big thank you for everything you have done for me.  When I came into therapy I had no idea in what way it could help, in the past I thought honesty was the answer to all and since I had already achieved that I was unsure how therapy would work for me.  I never thought it would be so, but I honestly believe that having a fuller comprehension of myself has really helped me come to terms, understand and be at peace with myself.  I feel much more grounded and in no way out of control".–

- Philippa (Marylebone)

"My husband and I tried a number of counsellors in Fulham before we found The British CBT & Counselling Service. It was such a different experience to the ones we had had before and this time it actually seems to have worked! I would recommend that if you are struggling in your relationship you should try them”.

– Polly (Fulham)

“I have been having Online CBT Counselling with The British CBT & Counselling Service for about 9 months and it has made such a difference. I struggled for years with an eating disorder and depression and I really feel like I’ve got my life back. The online CBT Counselling programme fitted in with the long hours I work and it actually felt more supportive that other types of counselling I have tried because I had contact with my psychologist up to 3 times a week. I am so glad that I tried this approach and would recommend it to anyone who needs help sorting out a problem”.

– Lizzie (Richmond)